Agroforestry Systems最新文献

{"title":"Effect of supplemental diets based on Ficusnatalensis and Harrisoniaabyssinica on the meat quality of tethered indigenous goat meat","authors":"Dorothy Kalule Nampanzira,&nbsp;Justus Kwetegyeka,&nbsp;Kamatara Kanifa,&nbsp;Denis Asizua,&nbsp;Christine Kyarimpa,&nbsp;Muhammad Kiggundu,&nbsp;Constantine Bakyusa Katongole,&nbsp;John David Kabasa,&nbsp;Sam Okello,&nbsp;John Robert Stephen Tabuti","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01312-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01312-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study evaluated the effect of supplementing pasture diets with <i>Ficus natalensis</i> and <i>Harrisonia abyssinica</i> foliage on chemical composition and meat quality of tethered indigenous goats. Forty growing intact male goats were assigned to one of five treatment diets: (i) tethering alone (control (C)), (ii) tethering plus molasses (CM), (iii) tethering plus <i>Harrisonia abyssinica</i> leaves with molasses (HM), (iv) tethering plus <i>Ficus natalensis</i> leaves with molasses (FM) and (v) tethering plus <i>Ficus natalensis</i> and <i>Harrisonia abyssinica</i> with molasses (FHM). At the end of the feeding trial, goats were slaughtered and samples of the <i>Longissimus dorsi</i> (LD) muscle and subcutaneous fat were collected for chemical and fatty acid analysis. Diet did not affect cooking loss or shear force values (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05). Cooking loss ranged between 10.88% (lowest in CM) to18.93% (highest in FM), while shear force ranged from 21.16 N (lowest in CM) to 32.49 N (highest in FM). Protein content varied from 18.2% (lowest in HM) to 21.12% (highest in FHM), and crude lipid content ranged between 0.33 and 5.95%. Fat content and fatty acid composition, total SFA, total MUFA, total PUFA, <i>n</i>3,<i>n</i>6, PUFA:SFA ratio and <i>n</i>6/<i>n</i>3 ratio were also not affected (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05) by diet. The muscle fatty acid (FA) profile was dominated by oleic (1.472–3.097 mg/g), followed by Palmitic acid (1.229–2.079 mg/g) and stearic acid (1.125–2.066 mg/g). The total SFA ranged between 2.474 mg/g and 4.261 mg/g and total MUFA ranged between 1.641 and 3.451 mg/g. The PUFA:SFA ratio varied from 0.337 (FM) and 0.535 (FHM), the <i>n</i>6/<i>n</i>3 ratio ranged between 1.107 and 4.035. Supplementing tethered indigenous goats with <i>F. natalensis</i> and <i>H. abyssinica</i> did not significantly affect meat quality attributes, but all diets produced lean, tender, and nutritionally healthy meat, highlighting the potential of native browse species to enhance goat meat quality in low-input silvopastoral systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145057608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the climate change mitigation potential between cashew agro-ecosystems and other land-uses in the dry semi-deciduous zone of Ghana","authors":"Adu-Gyamfi Asamoah,&nbsp;Reginald T. Guuroh,&nbsp;Patrick Opoku,&nbsp;Eunice Okyere-Agyapong,&nbsp;Kwabena Afriyie-Agyekum,&nbsp;Seungdo Kim,&nbsp;Hanah Zoo,&nbsp;Lei Wang","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01311-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01311-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In Ghana, cashew cultivation is rapidly expanding as a major land-use type. However, its contribution to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration remains poorly quantified. Specifically, there is limited empirical data comparing the biomass carbon sequestration potential of cashew agro-ecosystems to other dominant land-uses such as cocoa plantations, shaded food-croplands, and natural forests within the same ecological zone. This study addresses that gap by assessing biomass carbon stocks (aboveground and belowground) of cashew trees of varying ages in comparison to cocoa trees, shade trees on food-croplands, and natural forests in Ghana’s dry semi-deciduous zone. The focus was exclusively on vegetation biomass carbon, excluding other carbon pools. Cashew and cocoa agro-ecosystems were grouped by age: below ten years and ten years and older. For each land-use system, 14 temporary sample plots (0.1 ha each) were established, with natural forest plots sampled in a nearby but ecologically comparable area, resulting in 84 total plots. The study revealed age-related differences in carbon sequestration among cashew trees, with carbon stocks ranging from 16.60 to 71.34 Mgha⁻¹. The study also found significant differences in carbon sequestration among cashew trees aged 10 years and older and both age groups of cocoa trees, with a weak significant difference between cashew trees aged 10 years and older and natural forest. However, no significant difference was observed between cashew trees aged 10 years and older, and food-croplands. These findings highlight the potential of cashew agro-ecosystems in climate change mitigation, providing valuable insights for land-use planning and climate policy formulation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145028206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating hedgerow implantation with native species in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes: implications for CAP environmental measures—a case study in southern Spain","authors":"Javier Montoliu,&nbsp;José A. Gómez,&nbsp;Gema Guzmán,&nbsp;Ángel Lora,&nbsp;José Mora,&nbsp;María-Auxiliadora Soriano","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01301-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01301-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, seventeen hedgerows (4 × 20 m; composed of trees, shrubs and bushes) were established in an experimental agricultural field in southern Spain, combining different planting and management techniques: pre-planting tillage or no-tillage; irrigation or rainfed; use of anti-weed mesh or not, and use of tube shelters or not. The purpose of this study was to provide a technical and economic evaluation of these 17 design proposals for hedgerow implantation under Mediterranean conditions, using native species. Plant survival and growth were measured one year after planting, and the implantation costs of each hedgerow was calculated. Our results showed that a simple combination based on pre-planting tillage, rainfed conditions, and no mulching or tube shelters worked well, resulting in high plant survival rates (around 90%) and growth (0.32 m² yr⁻¹ increased plant cover), with one of the lowest hedgerow implantation costs (€16.5 m⁻¹, for 2024). Deficit irrigation only resulted in a slight increase in plant survival (9.4% on average). Using plastic mulch resulted in higher plant growth but had higher implantation costs and raised concerns about the hazard of plastic contamination. Under our conditions, without herbivory, the use of tube shelters had no significant effect on plant survival and growth. The most basic option, same as above but without tillage, had the lowest hedgerow implantation cost, but a plant survival rate below 50%. However, even using this latter option, the hedgerow implementation cost was higher than the financial support for implementing the biodiversity areas in farmland eco-scheme (which includes hedgerows) under the current CAP in Spain. Therefore, better financial incentives for these eco-schemes are needed to maximize their beneficial impact on agricultural landscapes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01301-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145028364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of organic mulches and farming practices on strawberry yield and economics under wild pomegranate-based agroforestry in the western Himalayas","authors":"Anshul Thakur,&nbsp;Prem Prakash,&nbsp;Rohit Bishist,&nbsp;Pramod Verma,&nbsp;D. R. Bhardwaj,&nbsp;Harish Sharma,&nbsp;Avinash Kumar Bhatia,&nbsp;Sheetal Thakur,&nbsp; Pooja","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01315-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01315-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present study was conducted with objective to study the effect of different farming practices and mulches on production of strawberry under wild pomegranate-based agroforestry systems at the experimental farm in Pandah, Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, during 2022–2023. The experiment comprised of 13 treatment combinations of three organic mulches (bamboo, pine, and poplar) and three types of manure (natural farming, recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), and farmyard manure (FYM), replicated thrice under randomized block design (factorial). The results indicated that treatments incorporating pine needle mulch with FYM (T₉) significantly recorded highest fruit length (38.07 mm), weight (15.66 g), yield (361.48 g) and productivity (9.0 ton/ha) under the wild pomegranate system, outperforming sole cropping. Economic analysis revealed that the highest net return (9750.64 US$ ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost (B: C) ratio (3.89) were obtained from pine mulch with RDF (T₈), demonstrating the financial viability of integrating strawberry into the agroforestry system. The findings demonstrate that integrating strawberry cultivation with wild pomegranate enhances land-use efficiency and offers a profitable, sustainable farming strategy by diversifying income sources.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145028340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary strategies of feral and domestic horses under varying grazing pressures: insights for Mediterranean forest management","authors":"Araceli Gort-Esteve,&nbsp;Jordi Bartolomé Filella,&nbsp;Xènia Roselló Molinero,&nbsp;Ada Torra Burgués,&nbsp;Joan Lluís Riera,&nbsp;Ariadna Nieto-Espinet","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01291-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01291-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study evaluates the potential of horses in Mediterranean forest management through their feeding behaviours. While traditionally overshadowed by livestock like sheep and goats, horses demonstrate significant adaptability, making them possible effective agents for reducing fuel loads and maintaining open landscapes. The findings highlight distinct feeding strategies among horse types. Feral Przewalski’s horses, in a mosaic landscape, with patches of forest, scrub and open grassland mostly consume graminoids throughout the year, maintaining open grasslands with minimal impact on woody vegetation. Rustic breeds, such as the Pottoka, adapt over extended grazing periods by initially consuming highly flammable graminoids and transitioning to woody plants as grasses deplete, effectively managing both fine and coarse fuels. Crossbred horses, under short-term, high-intensity grazing with supplemental feeding, rapidly shift from fine fuels to woody plants. Diet was quantified from 50 fresh faecal samples using micro-histological analysis and compositional Dirichlet regression. Although the study does not directly quantify vegetation changes or reductions in flammable biomass, the observed dietary shifts—particularly the increased consumption of woody species—highlight horses' potential role in understory management. These results suggest that different horse types respond flexibly to forage availability and may be useful in integrated strategies for reducing fire risk, especially when combined with other herbivores or active management practices. Overall, horses present a flexible and natural tool for forest management, with preliminary and exploratory evidence suggesting that they may contribute to fuel reduction through adaptive foraging behaviour, although further studies are needed to confirm vegetation impacts. Their use complements traditional fire prevention techniques and promotes the semi-freedom of horses, supporting their inclusion in sustainable landscape management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01291-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145011972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutritional evaluation of Azolla Pinnata and Its Integration with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal in dairy cattle diet for improving milk characteristics in Northwestern Himalayas","authors":"Krishna Priya Biswal,&nbsp;Rohit Bishist,&nbsp;Prem Prakash,&nbsp;Prashant Sharma,&nbsp;Ngahanyui Kengoo,&nbsp;Kamal Kishore,&nbsp;Iqbal Singh","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01313-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01313-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sustainable livestock feeding strategies are imperative in the northwestern Himalayan region, where the rising costs and limited availability of conventional concentrates highlights the need for nutritionally rich and locally available alternatives. Replacing conventional concentrates with tree leaf meals offers a cost-effective and nutritionally viable option for sustaining milk production. This study assessed the nutritive value of <i>Azolla pinnata</i> and its potential as a sustainable feed supplement, either alone (20% <i>Azolla</i>) or in combination with <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> leaf meal (10% <i>Azolla</i> + 10% <i>Leucaena</i>) for partial replacement of conventional concentrates in crossbred dairy cows. Twelve crossbred cows were divided into three groups (C, T1, and T2), with four animals in each group. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. Animals in the control group were maintained on standard farm feeding practices (concentrate @ 4 kg/day, wheat straw @ 5 kg/day and green fodder @ 15 kg/day). In T1, 20% of the concentrates were replaced with <i>Azolla</i> meal, while in T2, the same proportion was replaced with a mixture of 10% <i>Azolla</i> and 10% <i>Leucaena</i> leaf meal. Milk yield and composition, including protein, fat, solid-not-fat, and total solids, were recorded throughout the study. The nutritional quality of <i>Azolla</i> varied significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) across different months. Winter months showed higher fiber fractions (15.62%) and dry matter (22.11%). In contrast, spring months recorded significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) higher values of crude protein, nitrogen-free extract, organic matter, calcium, and phosphorus. Although milk yield remained statistically similar across treatments, supplementation with <i>Azolla</i> and <i>Leucaena</i> significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) improved milk composition. The combined supplementation produced higher fat, protein, solid-not-fat, and total solids compared to the control. In conclusion, <i>Azolla</i>, particularly in combination with <i>Leucaena</i>, is a protein-rich and effective partial substitute for conventional concentrates. This strategy sustains milk yield, enhances milk quality, and provides a resilient solution to seasonal feed shortages in hill farming systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Economic and environmental sustainability in silvofishery of mangrove ecosystem in Ogan Komering Ilir Protected Forest, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, Indonesia","authors":"Budi Utomo,&nbsp; Sumarmi,&nbsp;Sugeng Utaya,&nbsp;Syamsul Bachri","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01305-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01305-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Ogan Komering Ilir Protected Forest (OKIPF) in South Sumatra, Indonesia, has undergone significant forest degradation due to widespread land conversion into aquaculture ponds. This degradation has had a profoundly adverse impact on the mangrove ecosystem and the socioeconomic well-being of local communities. To address this, a silvofishery system has been implemented as a strategy to reduce illegal land conversion while enhancing community welfare. This study aims to evaluate the impact of silvofishery on both economic sustainability and mangrove forest conservation. Employing a quantitative descriptive approach through surveys, the study engaged 65 participants through purposive sampling, including pond farmers, farmer group leaders, forestry officials, and social forestry facilitators. Ecological data were collected using transects (100–200 m perpendicular to the coastline) to analyze mangrove vegetation and species of high economic value. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to assess ecological conditions. Economic sustainability was evaluated through income analysis, revenue-cost ratio, break-even point, net present value, net benefit–cost ratio, and internal rate of return. Welfare levels were assessed using percentage analysis and poverty thresholds. Results demonstrate that the silvofishery system contributes to restoring mangrove biodiversity and ecological functions while improving the economic conditions of pond farmers. ANOVA analysis further supports significant differences between silvofishery and non-silvofishery ponds. The study concludes that silvofishery offers a viable model for balancing short-term economic needs with long-term ecological goals. It introduces an approach to addressing forest degradation and advocates for strong stakeholder collaboration to introduce silvofishery as a sustainable forest management approach.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing soil quality in the Brazilian semi-arid through integrated livestock–forest systems: a multivariate analysis approach","authors":"Crislâny Canuto dos Santos,&nbsp;Marcelo Cavalcante,&nbsp;Rodrigo Gregório da Silva,&nbsp;Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri,&nbsp;Maurício Roberto Cherubin,&nbsp;Stoécio Malta Ferreira Maia","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01302-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01302-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Integrated systems contribute to agricultural sustainability by promoting soil quality. This study evaluated the effect of integrated livestock-forest systems (ILF) with different spacings and crops on soil quality in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The studied systems included four ILF systems: ILF with sorghum (So), forage cactus (Fc), massai grass (Mg), and buffel grass (Bg), at spacings of 7 m (S7), 14 m (S14), and 28 m (S28) between strips of native trees viz<i>.</i> Caatinga. These systems were compared with an area of native vegetation (NV). Soil physical [soil texture, bulk density, macroaggregates, mesoaggregates, and microaggregates], chemical [pH, P, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), isotope δ13C, particulate organic matter (POM), and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM)], and biological properties [microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil basal respiration (C-CO₂)] were evaluated using multivariate PCA analyses and the multivariate stability index (multi-trait stability index—MTSI). The results show that ILF systems with grasses, particularly Mg and Bg, improve soil quality by reducing the loss of SOC, MAOM, TN, and MBC after the conversion from NV. In these systems (Mg and Bg), the gains of TN, POM, and MBC were up to 11%, 34%, and 35%, respectively. SOC was the variable most correlated with other soil attributes. The MTSI analysis identified the Mg S28 and Bg S28 systems as having the best average performance and stability across multiple soil characteristics. The use of MTSI was effective in classifying agricultural systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144998601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coping and adaptation role of Rhamnus prinoides-based indigenous agroforestry practice to climate variability among smallholder farmers in the drylands of Northern Ethiopia","authors":"Destaalem Gebremeskel,&nbsp;Emiru Birhane,&nbsp;Girmay Tesfay,&nbsp;Micheale Gebremedhin,&nbsp;Meley Mekonen Rannestad","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01306-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01306-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Climate variability impacts are observed and expected to increase in the future, particularly in drylands. Continuous exposure to climate variability problems has prompted farmers to develop effective local coping and adaptation strategies. This study investigates the contribution of <i>Rhamnus prinoides</i>-based indigenous agroforestry practices by smallholders in coping with and adapting to climate variability in the drylands of Tigray, Ethiopia. Data was collected through questionnaires from 191 randomly selected households. Descriptive statistics were used to assess farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and evaluate the coping and adaptation role of <i>R. prinoides</i> agroforestry. Poisson and binomial models were used to identify determinants of the number and choice of coping and adaptation strategies of farmers. Farmers’ perceptions coincided with the actual climate data regarding increased variability of rainfall. <i>R. prinoides</i>-based agroforestry was widely practiced (70.2%) and played a significant role in coping with and adapting to climate variability impacts through bridging seasonal income shortfalls, maximizing production, and stabilizing and sustaining the productivity of smallholder farmers. It was complementary with other coping and adaptation strategies and served as the main source of cash income that could be invested in the purchase of improved varieties. The number and choice of coping and adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers were significantly influenced by landholding size, farm fertility, farm fragmentation, tenure security, family size, climate awareness, age and education of household head. Thus, farming systems that incorporate trees/shrubs such as <i>R. prinoides</i> agroforestry could enhance the coping and adaptation capacity of smallholder farmers in the drylands.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144998602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of decomposer size classes and litter quality on litter decomposition in food forests","authors":"Isabelle van der Zanden,&nbsp;Gelieke G.T. Steeghs,&nbsp;Lieke Moereels,&nbsp;G. F. Ciska Veen","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01299-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01299-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Food forests are perennial, multi-layered food production systems gaining popularity as alternatives to intensive, input-dependent agriculture. With limited use of external inputs, these systems rely on nutrient recycling via litter decomposition for plant nutrient supply. However, little is known about decomposition dynamics during food forest development. We studied how litter of <i>Alnus glutinosa</i> (L.) Gaertn. (black alder), <i>Corylus avellana</i> (L.) (common hazel) and <i>Castanea sativa</i> Mill. (sweet chestnut) (high to low litter quality) was decomposed in food forests planted on grasslands versus neighboring grasslands. Using litter bags with varying mesh sizes, we assessed the relative contribution of microbes, micro-, meso- and macrofauna on short-term litter mass loss. We also quantified abundance and/or biomass of key decomposer groups. Decomposer communities differed between the land use types, with food forests harboring a higher abundance of oribatid mites, but a lower abundance and biomass of earthworms and lower biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi than grasslands. We found little differences in litter mass loss between the systems, except for a higher mass loss of high-quality litter in grasslands when the litter was accessible to the entire decomposer community. The lowest-quality (sweet chestnut) litter decomposed slowest and decomposition rates were neither impacted by mesh size nor land use. Overall, high-quality leaf litter generally decomposed faster in grasslands than food forests and the different decomposer communities in young food forests did not favor the breakdown of (recalcitrant) litter. Future research could explore the potential implications of these findings for plant nutrient provisioning in self-sustaining agroecosystems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01299-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144998603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}