Instant Insights: Agroforestry practices

Description

This book features five peer-reviewed reviews on the implementation of agroforestry practices.

The first chapter reviews the use of integrated crop-livestock systems, with a focus on agroforestry systems. The chapter discusses the potential environmental and economic benefits of agroforestry systems, as well as their contribution to animal health and welfare.

The second chapter considers the plantation and management of temperate agroforestry systems which combine timber trees and herbaceous crops. The chapter covers choice of tree species, techniques of tree planting, plantation maintenance and approaches to tree pruning and thinning.

The third chapter provides an overview of the implementation of alley cropping in agroforestry systems. The chapter explores the economic and ecological benefits of alley cropping, as well as the challenges and major considerations of implementing these practices within North America.

The fourth chapter addresses the challenges and key issues in the sustainable production and use of willow as feedstock for biofuel production in northern temperate regions, including the issues of feedstock quality for biofuel use.

The final chapter explores the contribution of agroforestry to meet global strategies to increase biodiversity while sustainably increasing agricultural systems resource efficiency.

Table of contents

• Chapter 1 - Integrated crop/livestock systems with agroforestry to improve organic animal farming: A. J. Escribano, Nutrion Internacional, Spain; J. Ryschawy, University of Toulouse, France; and L. K. Whistance, The Organic Research Centre, UK;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Types of ICLS
  • 3 Environmental and economic benefits of ICLS
  • 4 Agroforestry as an ICLS
  • 5 Animals in agroforestry systems
  • 6 Trees as a source of nutrition and medicine
  • 7 Challenges in integrated livestock and forestry systems
  • 8 Conclusion
  • 9 Where to look for further information
  • 10 References
• Chapter 2 - Tree planting and management in agroforestry: Lydie Dufour, INRA, France;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Choice of tree species
  • 3 Tree planting
  • 4 Plantation maintenance
  • 5 Tree pruning and thinning
  • 6 Conclusion and future trends
  • 7 Where to look for further information
  • 8 References
• Chapter 3 - Temperate alley cropping systems: Diomy S. Zamora, University of Minnesota, USA; Samuel C. Allen, New Mexico State University, USA; Kent G. Apostol, Independent Researcher and Editor, USA; Shibu Jose, University of Missouri, USA; and Gary Wyatt, University of Minnesota, USA;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Potential of alley cropping
  • 3 Design considerations
  • 4 Functions/benefits of alley cropping
  • 5 Competition for growth resources
  • 6 Evaluating system performance: the case of the pecancotton alley cropping system
  • 7 Future trends and conclusion
  • 8 Where to look for further information
  • 9 References
• Chapter 4 - Sustainable production of willow for biofuel use: M. Weih, P.-A. Hansson, J. A. Ohlsson, M. Sandgren, A. Schnürer and A.-C. Rönnberg- Wästljung, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Feedstock quality for biofuel use
  • 3 Feedstock productivity
  • 4 Cropping security
  • 5 Biodiversity
  • 6 Nutrient uptake and use
  • 7 Carbon accumulation and sequestration
  • 8 Ecosystem services and environmental impact
  • 9 Case study
  • 10 Summary and future trends
  • 11 Acknowledgements
  • 12 Where to look for further information
  • 13 References
• Chapter 5 - The importance of agroforestry systems in supporting biodiversity conservation and agricultural production: a European perspective: M. R. Mosquera-Losada, J. J. Santiago-Freijanes, A. Rigueiro-Rodríguez, F. J. Rodríguez-Rigueiro, D. Arias Martínez, A. Pantera and N. Ferreiro-Domínguez, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 The contribution of agroforestry to global biodiversity goals
  • 3 Agroforestry and the protection of species and habitats
  • 4 Agroforestry and the maintenance and restoration of ecosystems
  • 5 Achieving more sustainable agriculture and forestry
  • 6 Stopping the loss of global biodiversity
  • 7 Future trends
  • 8 Where to look for further information
  • 9 Acknowledgements
  • 10 References