Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 51594

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sara Burbi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy
Interests: agroecology; rural development; climate change impact; livestock farming
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ulrich Schmutz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
Interests: agroecology; agriculture; ecological economics; organic horticulture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Moya Kneafsey

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
Interests: culture economies; participatory research methods; short food chains, local and community food initiatives; reforming food systems to deliver sustainable, resilient and socially just development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Multi-functional landscapes can deliver a wide range of supporting, provisioning and regulating ecosystems services. Agroforestry is a highly multi-functional land use type with great potential for delivering important ecosystem services such as soil enrichment, nutrient cycling, increase in biodiversity, biomass production, improved air and water quality, and address issues such as land degradation and climate change (e.g. carbon sequestration). Albeit generally studied in rural contexts, agroforestry can effectively benefit both urban and rural regeneration by delivering both environmental and socio-economic services, especially when agroecological transition strategies are adopted. However, challenges in implementing the transition can include the design of long-term management strategies and the possibility of using agroforestry-adapted monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure landscapes and communities, whether urban or rural, are benefiting from the regeneration process.

The journal Sustainability is hosting a Special Issue on “Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration”. Studies are welcome that address these challenges and focus on the links between landscape regeneration and socio-cultural benefits. Contributions on the following themes are of particular interest, though other relevant topics will also be considered:

Socio-ecological approaches for ecosystem services assessment
Development of tools to facilitate agroecological transitions. strategies for land management and decision making in urban, peri-urban and/or rural contexts.
Farmer-facing solutions to implement practical agroecological change and monitoring on-farm.
Agroforestry supply and value chains and its integration into a circular bio-economy.

Dr. Sara Burbi
Dr. Ulrich Schmutz
Prof. Moya Kneafsey
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

resilience
land use change
multi-functional landscapes
agroforestry
urban regeneration
rural regeneration
ecosystem services
social cohesion
environmental impact
carbon sequestration
native species

Published Papers (13 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Other

18 pages, 6762 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agroforestry: Challenges and Opportunities in Rhino Camp and Imvepi Refugee Settlements of Arua District, Northern Uganda

by Evangeline Grosrenaud, Clement Akais Okia, Andrew Adam-Bradford and Liz Trenchard

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042134 - 17 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4499

Abstract

In the past, the environment has been a low priority in humanitarian operations for refugee agencies and implementing partners because of the emergency context. However, actions to safeguard the environment can be undertaken concurrently with emergency interventions and organisations should take responsibility for conserving the environment in refugee settlements in the same way that they are responsible for the welfare of refugees. Tree-based interventions, such as agroforestry, have been demonstrated as a viable option for resilience and sustainability in landscapes with increasing human pressure. Refugee settlements are subject to intense human pressure and suffer environmental degradation as a consequence. The potential benefits of agroforestry in refugee settlements though are not well researched. This study explores the implementation of agroforestry schemes in refugee settlements in the Arua district of Uganda. Using semi-structured interviews with the beneficiaries of the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF) agroforestry projects in Imvepi and Rhino camps, the study identifies key benefits for participants and the environment. These include improved livelihoods and nutrition. However, there are challenges to overcome before agroforestry can be made more widely available in refugee camps. Key barriers include insufficient land, limited water availability and lack of local knowledge, which limits productivity. This research shows how relief, rehabilitation and development can work hand in hand to reduce social and environmental pressure in the targeted refugee settlements and host communities and improve the well-being of beneficiary households by creating opportunities for income generation, improving nutrition and contributing to social cohesion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Influence of Stump-Removal on Components of Hemiboreal Pine Forest Ecosystem

by Roberts Čakšs, Linda Čakša, Iveta Desaine, Zane Lībiete, Didzis Elferts, Aldis Butlers and Āris Jansons

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042095 - 16 Feb 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2116

Abstract

Use of whole tree biomass becomes increasingly more important due to rising demand for renewable energy and materials to replace fossil resources. Therefore, assessment of influence of this approach on hemiboreal forest ecosystem is essential. The aim of our study was to assess the long-term influence of full biomass removal (FBR) on the ground vegetation and soil chemical composition in Scots pine stands. Study sites were located in Vacciniosa, Myrtillosa, and Myrtillosa mel. forest types. Almost half a century from the FBR, it had no notable or significant influence on number of ground vegetation species. Significant differences in overall vegetation composition between stands established after FBR and conventional harvesting (stem-wood removal) were not found by the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM). In addition, values of Ellenberg and Düll indicators were similar and, in most cases (determined by forest type and parameter), had no significant differences between FBR and the same age control stands. Similarly, no significant differences were found between these stands in soil carbon and nitrogen pools. Thus, there had not been a negative long-term effect of FBR on the hemiboreal Scots pine ecosystem as indicated by ground vegetation and soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 1928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agroforestry in the Andean Araucanía: An Experience of Agroecological Transition with Women from Cherquén in Southern Chile

by Santiago Peredo Parada, Claudia Barrera, Sara Burbi and Daniela Rocha

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10401; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410401 - 12 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2420

Abstract

Agroforestry is a practice used for the establishment of integrated production systems as an economic alternative. In Chile, the most significant experiences have been developed with rainfed farmers in the central zone, where the arboreal component is the predominant one. This study analyses the agroecological transition process of a group of women from the Andean foothills of southern Chile in the establishment of an agroforestry system based on rosehip. The field work was developed in 4 stages: (1) problem survey and definition of strategy; (2) identification of an alternative market; (3) perception of the data collection work and; (4) implementation of a demonstration unit; which included (a) workshops and meetings for discussion, reflection, and feedback on what had been done and to agree on the actions to be implemented; and (b) the development of different activities to implement the actions agreed in the workshops and meetings. The results of this research show that agroecological projects open doors to the participation, visibility, and valorization of women’s work while moving towards sustainable agroforestry systems integrated into the landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Local Knowledge and Perspectives of Change in Homegardens: A Photovoice Study in Kandy District, Sri Lanka

by Rachel deHaan, Helen Hambly Odame, Naresh Thevathasan and Sarath P. Nissanka

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176866 - 24 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3506

Abstract

Kandyan homegardens are traditional agroforestry systems that exist to support rural livelihoods in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. These agro-ecosystems have been sustained over generations of socio-ecological change and are recognized today for their biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. The main drivers of adaption and the sustainability of homegardens are the local farmers who manage them on a daily basis. However, despite being key stakeholders, local communities have seldom been included in research, especially through participatory approaches. This study utilized a participatory and visual method called photovoice to reveal the local perspectives and experiences of socio-ecological change as viewed by 24 Kandyan homegardeners. The results highlight visual documentation and narrative that publicly displayed farmers’ perspectives of their current homegardening situation and the major challenges they face. The priorities for future conservation of homegardens include addressing wildlife conflict and crop damage, the lack of land to grow, and a decline in available labor and interest in agriculture, especially among younger household members. Our results indicate that the photovoice process allowed for rich, varied, and in-depth stories of the human-ecological relationship in homegardens to emerge. Consideration of these relationships and the knowledge of local communities are necessary for understanding socio-ecological change in homegardens, and key to sustainable development. Photovoice, we conclude, is a robust method for research in agroforestry systems that can effectively engage local farmers and produce participant-driven data that are potentially well suited to complement other methods for a more holistic approach to understanding homegardens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Quality Changes within a (Nothofagus obliqua) Forest Under Silvopastoral Management in the Andes Mountain Range, South Central Chile

by Juan Ortiz, Francis Dube, Pablo Neira, Marcelo Panichini, Neal B. Stolpe, Erick Zagal and Pedro A. Martínez-Hernández

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6815; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176815 - 22 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2613

Abstract

In Chile, 49.1% of the national territory is affected by soil degradation (including erosion and loss of soil organic matter), whereby of the 51.7 Mha that have been historically associated with agricultural-livestock and forestry activities, only 35.5 Mha are being used at the present. Consequently, soil degradation has resulted in the release of about 11.8 Gg yr⁻¹ of carbon (C) equivalent (CO_2eq) to the atmosphere. Silvopastoral systems (SPS), however, can increase soil organic C (SOC) through sequestration (C→SOC), improve ecosystem services, and have been internationally recommended for sustainable land use. Therefore, it was proposed to determine the effects of SPS on soils, over five years, in degraded sites that were located in the Ranchillo Alto (SPS-RA) (37°04′52″ S, 71°39′14″ W), Ñuble region. The sites were rated according to previous canopy disturbance levels (+) as follows: open (O_p)+++, semi open (SO_p)++, and semi closed (SC)+. The analysis was performed on different physical and chemical soil properties (0–5 and 5–20 cm depths), that were expressed as soil indicators (S_IND) for chemical and physical properties, which were used to calculate a soil quality (SQ) index (SQI). The results indicated overall SQI values of 37.6 (SC) > 29.8 (O_p) > 28.8 (SO_p), but there were no significant variations (p < 0.05) in physical SQ, whereas chemical SQ varied in all conditions, mostly at 0–5 cm in O_p and SO_p. Increases of SOC were also observed (2015–2018 period) of 22.5, 14.5, and 4.8 Mg ha⁻¹ for SO_p, O_p, and SC, respectively, showing that SPS promote the reclamation of Ranchillo Alto soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1841 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Making Way for Trees? Changes in Land-Use, Habitats and Protected Areas in Great Britain under “Global Tree Restoration Potential”

by Martin A. Wilkes, James Bennett, Sara Burbi, Sue Charlesworth, Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz, Francis Rayns, Ulrich Schmutz, Barbara Smith, Mark Tilzey, Liz Trenchard and Marco Van De Wiel

Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5845; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145845 - 21 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4166

Abstract

Numerous tree planting initiatives have been launched worldwide, based on the idea that carbon capture by trees can help to limit global warming. A recent study estimated the additional tree canopy cover that could be established given the growing conditions in every square kilometre of land on earth that is not already forested, urbanised, or used for crop production. It reported a total “tree restoration potential” of >900 million ha worldwide and identified hotspots where opportunities for tree planting initiatives may be the greatest. With the potential for an estimated 4.2 million ha of additional canopy cover, one such hotspot is Great Britain. We quantify the extent of habitats, land uses, and protected areas that would be impacted by tree planting on this scale in Great Britain and discuss the potential social–ecological trade-offs involved. Our findings show that realising the “tree restoration potential” would mean a considerable upheaval for the British landscape with 30–50% of ecologically valuable habitats lost and a reduction of 44% in the area of improved grassland. Up to 21% of land protected by law for its ecological, scientific, scenic, or cultural value would be impacted. Importantly, we demonstrate that an alternative approach based on increasing tree canopy cover by up to 20% in urban areas and on cropland could make a substantial contribution to tree planting targets, potentially offsetting losses elsewhere. Such shifts in the structure and function of the British landscape will depend on deep changes in the food system, evidence-based decisions about which existing habitats to protect, and a long-term commitment to tree planting and maintenance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Monitoring of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Woody and Herbaceous Bioenergy Crop Production Systems on Marginal Lands in Southern Ontario, Canada

by Amir Behzad Bazrgar, Aeryn Ng, Brent Coleman, Muhammad Waseem Ashiq, Andrew Gordon and Naresh Thevathasan

Sustainability 2020, 12(9), 3901; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093901 - 10 May 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3011

Abstract

Enhancement of terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration on marginal lands in Canada using bioenergy crops has been proposed. However, factors influencing system-level C gain (SLCG) potentials of maturing bioenergy cropping systems, including belowground biomass C and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, are not well documented. This study, therefore, quantified the long-term C sequestration potentials at the system-level in nine-year-old (2009–2018) woody (poplar clone 2293–29 (Populus spp.), hybrid willow clone SX-67 (Salix miyabeana)), and herbaceous (miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus var. Nagara), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)) bioenergy crop production systems on marginal lands in Southern Ontario, Canada. Results showed that woody cropping systems had significantly higher aboveground biomass C stock of 10.02 compared to 7.65 Mg C ha⁻¹ in herbaceous cropping systems, although their belowground biomass C was not significantly different. Woody crops and switchgrass were able to increase SOC significantly over the tested period. However, when long term soil organic carbon (∆SOC) gains were compared, woody and herbaceous biomass crops gained 11.0 and 9.8 Mg C ha⁻¹, respectively, which were not statistically different. Results also indicate a significantly higher total C pool [aboveground + belowground + soil organic carbon] in the willow (103 Mg ha⁻¹) biomass system compared to other bioenergy crops. In the nine-year study period, woody crops had only 1.35 Mg C ha⁻¹ more SLCG, suggesting that the influence of woody and herbaceous biomass crops on SLCG and ∆SOC sequestrations were similar. Further, among all tested biomass crops, willow had the highest annual SLCG of 1.66 Mg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analyses of Flux-based Ecosystem Model towards Improvement of Forest GPP Simulation

by Hanqing Ma, Chunfeng Ma, Xin Li, Wenping Yuan, Zhengjia Liu and Gaofeng Zhu

Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2584; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072584 - 25 Mar 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2265

Abstract

An ecosystem model serves as an important tool to understand the carbon cycle in the forest ecosystem. However, the sensitivities of parameters and uncertainties of the model outputs are not clearly understood. Parameter sensitivity analysis (SA) and uncertainty analysis (UA) play a crucial role in the improvement of forest gross primary productivity GPP simulation. This study presents a global SA based on an extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST) method to quantify the sensitivities of 16 parameters in the Flux-based ecosystem model (FBEM). To systematically evaluate the parameters’ sensitivities, various parameter ranges, different model outputs, temporal variations of parameters sensitivity index (SI) were comprehensively explored via three experiments. Based on the numerical experiments of SA, the UA experiments were designed and performed for parameter estimation based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. The ratio of internal CO₂ to air CO₂ (

f_{C}_{i})

, canopy quantum efficiency of photon conversion

(α_{q})

, maximum carboxylation rate at 25

° C

(

V_{m}^{25})

were the most sensitive parameters for the GPP. It was also indicated that

α_{q}, E_{V}_{m}^{} and Q_{10}

were influenced by temperature throughout the entire growth stage. The result of parameter estimation of only using four sensitive parameters (RMSE = 1.657) is very close to that using all the parameters (RMSE = 1.496). The results of SA suggest that sensitive parameters, such as

f_{c i}, α_{q}, E_{V}_{m}^{}, V_{m}^{25}

strongly influence on the forest GPP simulation, and the temporal characteristics of the parameters’ SI on GPP and NEE were changed in different growth. The sensitive parameters were a major source of uncertainty and parameter estimation based on the parameter SA could lead to desirable results without introducing too great uncertainties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 560 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant Diversity and Agroecosystem Function in Riparian Agroforests: Providing Ecosystem Services and Land-Use Transition

by Serra W. Buchanan, Megan Baskerville, Maren Oelbermann, Andrew M. Gordon, Naresh V. Thevathasan and Marney E. Isaac

Sustainability 2020, 12(2), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020568 - 11 Jan 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3610

Abstract

Achieving biologically diverse agricultural systems requires a commitment to changes in land use. While in-field agrobiodiversity is a critical route to such a transition, riparian systems remain an important, yet understudied, pathway to achieve key diversity and ecosystem services and targets. Notably, at the interface of agricultural landscapes and aquatic systems, the diversification of riparian buffers with trees reduces the non-point source pollution in waterways. However, in riparian agroforestry systems, little is known about herbaceous community patterns and, importantly, the herbaceous community’s role in governing carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. Our study investigated herbaceous community taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity patterns in riparian (i) grasslands (GRASSLAND), (ii) rehabilitated agroforests (AGROFOREST-REHAB), and (iii) remnant forests (AGROFOREST-NATURAL). We then determined the biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships between community functional diversity metrics, C and N cycling, and greenhouse gas fluxes. We observed significant differences in taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity among riparian buffer types. We found that herbaceous plant communities in riparian agroforestry systems expressed plant trait syndromes associated with fast-growing, resource acquiring strategies, while grassland buffer plants exhibited slow-growing, resource conserving strategies. Herbaceous communities with high functional diversity and resource acquiring trait syndromes, such as those in the agroforestry riparian systems, were significantly correlated with lower rates of soil CO₂ efflux and N mineralization, both of which are key fluxes related to ecosystem service delivery. Our findings provide further evidence that functionally diverse, and not necessarily taxonomically diverse, plant communities are strongly correlated to positive ecosystem processes in riparian agroforestry systems, and that these communities contribute to the transition of agricultural lands toward biologically and functionally diverse landscapes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3062 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agroforestry as a Biodiversity Conservation Tool in the Atlantic Forest? Motivations and Limitations for Small-Scale Farmers to Implement Agroforestry Systems in North-Eastern Brazil

by Mauricio Sagastuy and Torsten Krause

Sustainability 2019, 11(24), 6932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11246932 - 05 Dec 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5496

Abstract

Agroforestry practices support agricultural resilience against climatic variability, increase soil productivity, can diversify and increase farmers’ incomes, and support native fauna in agricultural landscapes. However, many farmers are still reluctant to implement agroforestry practices. We distributed questionnaires to 75 agroforestry and 64 “conventional agriculture” small-scale farmers working in the northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest to identify the motivations and limitations to implement agroforestry practices. We reveal the four main reasons why farmers worked with agroforestry: Higher income generation (89%), diversification of the production system (86%), increase in the land’s quality and productivity (86%), and increase in self-sufficiency (82%). The three most common mentioned reasons for conventional agriculture farmers to not shift to agroforestry practices were: Uncertainty if the system will work (62%), reduction in yield of the main agricultural crop (43%), and a lack of models and knowledge in the region (41%). Agroforestry in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest region can support native fauna, but farmers need to be educated about agroforestry practices and encouraged to switch from conventional agriculture to agroforestry through an increase in available technical assistance and capacitation/training in agroforestry practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1163 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Migration and Agricultural Practices in the Peripheral Areas of Côte d’Ivoire State-Owned Forests

by ZANH Golou Gizèle, KPANGUI Kouassi Bruno, BARIMA Yao Sadaiou Sabas and Bogaert Jan

Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6378; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226378 - 13 Nov 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2172

Abstract

Côte d’Ivoire’s rural areas adjacent to the state-owned areas of the southern half of the country, such as classified forests, are experiencing significant migratory flows due to their agricultural potential. The population movements in these rural areas have changed the rural landscape. The general objective of this study was to identify the peasant innovations implemented in these rural areas adjacent to the state’s forest domains in a context of land saturation caused by migratory flows. This objective was elucidated from the case of the classified forest of Haut-Sassandra (CFHS). To achieve this, surveys were conducted in 11 villages on the periphery of the FCHS to determine the profile of planters and the main crops grown. Subsequently, floristic inventories were carried out on farms to analyse the diversity of associated species. Analyses showed that the rural populations of the CFHS are mainly composed of Allochthones (64%). Four innovative production systems were identified: a cashew-based production system, a cocoa-based production system, a coffee-based production system and a coffee- and cocoa-based production system. These farmer innovations based on agroforestry practices make it possible to restore impoverished lands and fight against climatic hazards. Consequently, these local practices deserve to be popularised in areas of strong land pressure as strategies to overcome the shortage of arable land and fluctuating prices of agricultural production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socio-Ecological Niche and Factors Affecting Agroforestry Practice Adoption in Different Agroecologies of Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

by Belay Manjur Gebru, Sonam Wangyel Wang, Sea Jin Kim and Woo-Kyun Lee

Sustainability 2019, 11(13), 3729; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133729 - 08 Jul 2019

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6206

Abstract

This study was carried out in the southern zone of Tigray to identify and characterize traditional common agroforestry practices and understand the existing knowledge of farm households on the management of trees under different agroforestry in different agroecologies. We conducted reconnaissance and diagnostic surveys by systematically and randomly selecting 147 farming households in the three agroecologies of the study area. A logit regression model was employed to determine how these factors influence farmers’ adoption decision. The findings indicate that a majority of the households (46.3%) were engaged in homestead agroforestry practices (AFP), followed by live fence (25.9%) and farmland or parkland (15%) agroforestry practices. The study identified Carica papaya, Malus domestic, Persea americana, Mangifera indica, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Balanites aegyptiaca as the most dominant fruit tree species found in the home garden agroforestry. In total, 68% of the households had some of these fruit trees around their home gardens. We also established the three most dominant agricultural production systems as: i) Agricultural production system, composed of fruit tree + cereal crops + Ziziphus spina-christi + Balanites aegyptiaca and/or acacia species; ii) agricultural production system, consisting of cash crops, like Coffee arabica and Catha edulies + fruit trees + Cordia africana + Balanites aegyptiaca and/or acacia species; and iii) agricultural production, composed of fruit trees + vegetables within a boundary of Sesbania sesban and other acacia species in the modern irrigated land. Furthermore, 90.16% of the households in the highlands reported a shortage of farmland for planting trees as the main constraint. About 34.44% farmers reported using leaves of Cordia africana, Balanites aegyptiaca, pods of acacia species, and crop residue as the main source of animal fodder. In total, 86.4% of the households also recognized the importance of multipurpose trees for soil fertility enhancement, control of runoff, microclimate amelioration, environmental protection, and dry season animal fodder. According to the logit model analysis, sex, family size, educational level, and landholding significantly (p < 0.05) influence the household’s role in the adoption of agroforestry practices. Based on these findings, farmers used different adaptation strategies, such as planting of multi-purpose trees (34.7%), conservation tillage to minimize both erosion and runoff potentials as soil conservation strategies (27.2%), varying planting dates, use of drought tolerant crop varieties (16.3%), and others based on farmers’ indigenous knowledge passed down from generation to generation. We conclude that agroforestry practices are important components of farming systems in Tigray, resulting in diversified products and ecological benefits that improve socio-ecological resilience. Therefore, we recommend that agroforestry practices are mainstreamed into development plans, especially in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 12525 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Soft Robotics as an Enabling Technology for Agroforestry Practice and Research

by Girish Chowdhary, Mattia Gazzola, Girish Krishnan, Chinmay Soman and Sarah Lovell

Sustainability 2019, 11(23), 6751; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236751 - 28 Nov 2019

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 7717

Abstract

The shortage of qualified human labor is a key challenge facing farmers, limiting profit margins and preventing the adoption of sustainable and diversified agroecosystems, such as agroforestry. New technologies in robotics could offer a solution to such limitations. Advances in soft arms and manipulators can enable agricultural robots that can have better reach and dexterity around plants than traditional robots equipped with hard industrial robotic arms. Soft robotic arms and manipulators can be far less expensive to manufacture and significantly lighter than their hard counterparts. Furthermore, they can be simpler to design and manufacture since they rely on fluidic pressurization as the primary mechanisms of operation. However, current soft robotic arms are difficult to design and control, slow to actuate, and have limited payloads. In this paper, we discuss the benefits and challenges of soft robotics technology and what it could mean for sustainable agriculture and agroforestry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Agroforestry and Ecosystem Regeneration

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (13 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI