Agroforestry Systems最新文献

{"title":"Garlic productivity and profitability under wild pomegranate agroforestry: phenological complementarity and soil management in the North-Western Himalayas","authors":"Riya Pathania,&nbsp;Prem Prakash,&nbsp;Rohit Bishist,&nbsp;Rohit Verma,&nbsp;Prashant Rana","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01641-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01641-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agroforestry systems that pair deciduous fruit trees with rabi spice crops are often assumed to force a trade-off between tree-driven soil improvement and crop productivity, yet this assumption has rarely been tested against the specific phenology of the tree component. We evaluated garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i> L.) grown under a wild pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i> L.)-based agroforestry system against sole cropping in the Himalayan mid-hills, across ten nutrient–mulch combinations. Despite a 23.4-percentage-point seasonal reduction in light transmission beneath the deciduous canopy, garlic bulb yield fell by only 2.0%, while soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, and bacterial populations all rose significantly relative to sole cropping (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Recommended fertiliser combined with pine mulch produced both the highest yield and the highest benefit–cost ratio (3.16), with pine mulch consistently outperforming poplar mulch across yield and soil indicators. These results indicate that a deciduous tree's leaf-off period, when synchronised with a rabi crop’s critical growth stage, can largely decouple the productivity-soil-health trade-off long assumed inherent to tree–crop competition, offering a transferable design principle for rabi-season agroforestry in mountain landscapes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837965","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":"Intercropping enhances litter accumulation and nutrient return in walnut plantations: a seasonal analysis","authors":"Muhammad Asghar Ali,&nbsp;Weiyi Yang,&nbsp;Xiulin Zhu,&nbsp;Jinrui Xue,&nbsp;Fozia Dost Muhammad,&nbsp;Qi Lu,&nbsp;Shuaijie Lu,&nbsp;Jingyan Wang,&nbsp;Wei Gong","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01639-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01639-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Intercropping enhances soil fertility and ecosystem functioning in agroforestry systems through improved nutrient cycling and organic matter inputs. However, the role of seasonal litter dynamics in regulating soil fertility in walnut-based intercropping systems remains underexplored, particularly under different crop combinations. This study evaluated the seasonal dynamics of litter stock and nutrient return of the different intercropping models of walnut plantation by planting ginger (WGI), soybean (WSB), potato (WPO), and sweet potato (WSP) as compared to the pure walnut plantation (CK). Surface litter and 0–40 cm depth soil samples were collected and analyzed in four seasons. The membership function was used to estimate the optimal intercropping model of the walnut plantation. All intercropping models increased annual litter stock (by 46.9–53.3%) and its natural water-holding (62.8–72.3%), as well as stocks of cellulose (26.6–41.6%), lignin (22.8–43.9%), carbon (28.4–55.4%), and nutrients including nitrogen (30.3–74.1%), phosphorus (47.6–91.9%), and potassium (35.6–76.7%) in the 0–40 cm soil layer as compared to CK. Similarly, soil organic matter (SOM) and available nutrients, including alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (24.4–69.1%), available phosphorus (41.9–78.5%), and available potassium (16.4–29.8%) were also enhanced in 0–40 cm as compared to the CK. SOM and available nutrient content in 0–20 cm were higher than those in 20–40 cm. Comprehensive evaluation value (CEV) ranged from 0.09 to 2.74 and ranked as WGI (2.74) &gt; WSB (2.36) &gt; WPO (1.45) &gt; WSP (1.63) &gt; CK (0.09), and showed significant (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.01) positive correlations with litter properties and soil nutrients. Intercropping, particularly WGI (CEV = 2.74), significantly (<i>P </i>&lt; 0.05) promoted aboveground organic matter and nutrient inputs. These findings underscore the vital role of litter-mediated pathways in sustaining soil fertility and ecosystem functioning in walnut-based intercropping systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837832","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":"Ecosystem services and disservices of shade trees on cocoa agroforestry systems of Ghana: insight from farmers","authors":"Michael Asigbaase,&nbsp;Daniel Akoto Sarfo,&nbsp;Samuel Kumi,&nbsp;Jemima Appiah Nimako","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01646-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01646-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Shade trees have become an integral component of cocoa agroforestry systems in Ghana with farmers integrating different tree species to meet specific needs. However, the choice of tree species exposes the agroecosystem to different ecosystem services and disservices. Using a multi-stage sampling technique with questionnaire guided interviews among 84 farmers (42 organic and 42 conventional) in the Suhum Municipality, the study assessed farmers’ insights on ecosystem services and disservices associated with shade tree integration into cocoa farms in Ghana. The study revealed that over 73%, 53% and 53% of all the shade tree species were rated more highly for regulatory, provisioning and supporting and cultural ecosystem services, respectively, among organic farmers compared to conventional cocoa farmers. Additionally, the mostly highly recommended for the provision of various ecosystem services among organic and conventional farmers was <i>T. tetraptera</i> (Net IVIes = 39.30%) and <i>M. excelsa</i> (Net IVIes = 33.61%), respectively. Our results further indicate that farmers’ perception of shade tree species provision of various categories of ecosystem services were shaped by socio-economic and farm characteristics, with number of extension services as a major positive predictor (slope = 1.64–1.99). The study therefore concludes that farmers’ production system and socioeconomic traits shape their perception of ecosystem services and disservices and that shade trees that produce co-products with commercial or domestic benefits are highly valued.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837831","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":"Effects of conventional, organic and agroforestry management on leaf biomass, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of Passiflora edulis Sims","authors":"Stephano Francisco Duarte de Carvalho,&nbsp;Davyson de Lima Moreira,&nbsp;Leilson de Oliveira Ribeiro,&nbsp;Ygor Jessé Ramos,&nbsp;Nina Claudia Barboza da Silva","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01640-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01640-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The quality and leaf yield of <i>Passiflora edulis</i> Sims depend on agricultural management decisions that modulate growth, metabolite accumulation, and antioxidant responses. We compared three commercial agroecosystems in Paty do Alferes, Rio de Janeiro (conventional, organic, and agroforestry), quantifying vegetative growth, leaf biomass, secondary metabolites (total flavonoids and total phenolics), and functional markers (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP). A two-factor analysis of variance was applied to assess agroecosystem and temporal effects. Conventional cultivation exhibited the highest vegetative growth and biomass at 20 weeks after planting (1053.3 g fresh mass/plant; 207.8 g dry mass/plant). In contrast, the agroforestry system showed the highest mean flavonoid content (40.3 ± 4.3 mg RE g^-1), followed by the organic (33.3 ± 3.01 mg RE g^-1) and conventional systems (19.7 ± 2.51 mg RE g^-1). Antioxidant activity varied across markers: FRAP values were greatest in the conventional (392.27 ± 33.84 µmol Trolox g^-1), intermediate in the organic (357.79 ± 33.07 µmol Trolox g^-1), and lowest in the agroforestry system (286.67 ± 15.79 µmol Trolox g^-1). ABTS activity was numerically highest under conventional management (116.50, 91.81, and 88.71 µmol Trolox g^-1 for conventional, organic, and agroforestry, respectively), and DPPH and total phenolics did not differ significantly among systems overall. These results indicate contrasting production profiles: conventional management favored leaf biomass and FRAP activity, whereas agroforestry favored flavonoid concentration per unit extract; the mechanisms underlying this inverse association were not experimentally resolved.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01640-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837833","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":"Correction: Determinants of climate adaptation strategies by smallholder coffee growers in Southwestern Ethiopia","authors":"Gemechu Degefa Yadeta,&nbsp;Jema Haji Mohammed,&nbsp;Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda,&nbsp;Wondimu Legesse Gemta","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01627-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01627-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837830","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":"Swidden is an undervalued agroforestry system for the suppression of agricultural weeds: evidence from Tanzania","authors":"Abdallah R. Makale,&nbsp;Amani J. Uisso,&nbsp;Nike H. Doggart,&nbsp;Andrew K. Kabanza,&nbsp;Numan Amanzi,&nbsp;Nuru Nguya,&nbsp;Amana O. Kilawi,&nbsp;Rehema Idrisa,&nbsp;Ramadhani Nyuni,&nbsp;Huseni Mayanga,&nbsp;Hashimu Mpakulo,&nbsp;Esha Ally Mpakulo,&nbsp;Mohamedi Ayasi,&nbsp;Sophia Mpanda,&nbsp;Susannah M. Sallu","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01631-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01631-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Swidden agroforestry remains an important livelihood system for millions of smallholder farmers across the tropics, yet it is increasingly threatened by agricultural intensification and policies promoting more sedentary and commercialised forms of agriculture. Fallowing, a key component of swidden systems, suppresses weeds, restores soil fertility, and provides other ecosystem services. However, the role of weed management in shaping farmer decisions about swidden cultivation and fallowing remains poorly understood. This study investigated how weeds influence farmer decision-making, particularly regarding fallow management, in three villages in Nachingwea District, south-eastern Tanzania. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, transect walks, and crop-budgeting exercises. Farmers identified <i>Striga</i> spp. and several perennial grasses as the most problematic weeds. Among these, <i>Striga</i> was consistently cited as a major factor influencing decisions to initiate fallowing. Farmers regarded fallowing as an effective and low-cost strategy for weed control that simultaneously restored soil fertility and supported crop production. Decisions regarding whether and when to fallow involved balancing these benefits against the costs of foregone production and additional labour requirements. Expenditure on herbicides and other external inputs for staple crops such as maize and pigeon pea was minimal, indicating reliance on labour-based and ecological approaches to weed management. Knowledge of fallowing was transmitted primarily through community networks rather than extension services. These findings highlight the continued importance of swidden agroforestry as a locally adapted system for weed management and livelihood support, while revealing tensions between farmers’ practices and agricultural modernisation policies. Greater recognition of swidden agroforestry within policy and extension programmes could enhance agricultural sustainability and rural livelihoods.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01631-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837439","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":"Determinants of smallholder farmers’ decisions and perceptions on Ficus Thonningii tree planting in Gondar Zuria District, Northwestern Ethiopia","authors":"Mequannt Marie,&nbsp;Mebrahtu Haile,&nbsp;Ewunetu Tazebew,&nbsp;Fikadu Yirga","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01638-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01638-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In rural Ethiopia, <i>Ficus thonningii</i> is an indigenous, multipurpose tree that plays critical ecological and economic roles, including providing livestock fodder, enhancing soil fertility, and supporting local livelihood. However, empirical evidence regarding how socio-economic, structural, and institutional factors shape farmers’ perceptions and planting decisions remains limited. This study examined the determinants of farmers’ perceptions and adoptions choices in northwestern Ethiopia, explicitly distinguishing between perception formation and actual planting behavior. Using a multistage stratified random sampling technique, we surveyed 354 households, and conducted interviews with 15 key informants selected via snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, and two distinct Generalized Linear Models (GLMs): a binomial probit model for the planting decision and a gamma model with a log link function for perception intensity. The findings revealed that while farmers generally hold positive perceptions of <i>F. thonningii</i>, 71.2% were uncertain about its medicinal value. The Gamma model showed that positive perceptions were significantly enhanced by socio-demographic and institutional factors. Access to training had the strongest positive effect (beta = 0.118, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), followed by access to seedlings (beta = 0.044, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), alongside education, gender, age, and farming experience. In contrast, the binomial probit model demonstrated that actual planting decisions were mainly driven by structural and institutional constraints. Access to incentives had the strongest positive impact on adoption (beta = 2.408), followed by agroecological zone (beta= 1.586), indicating higher planting prevalence in the midland (Woina Dega) areas. Total land size, road access, and off-farm income also significantly influenced the planting choices (<i>p</i> &lt;0.05). These findings demonstrate that perception and adoption are shaped by distinct pathways: socio-demographic and institutional variables drive attitudes, whereas structural and environmental conditions dictate action. This study provides species-specific evidence that scaling up <i>F. thonningii</i> integration requires moving beyond generic awareness campaigns. Instead, policies must focus on localized institutional support, specifically training, seedling supply, and incentive mechanisms coupled with precise agroecological targeting.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837197","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":"Multi-element stoichiometric regulation and nutrient coupling in karst agroforestry systems: implications for sustainable land management","authors":"Shujie Chen,&nbsp;Yuanyang Chen,&nbsp;Xiaoling Zeng,&nbsp;Chuan Jiang,&nbsp;Xiuhao Yang,&nbsp;Wanglan Tao,&nbsp;Manlian Wang,&nbsp;Jun Ren,&nbsp;Fuzhao Huang,&nbsp;Chenggang Liu","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01634-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01634-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Karst regions of southwestern China are characterized by severe soil nutrient limitations, posing major challenges to agricultural sustainability and ecosystem functioning. Agroforestry systems (AFSs) have been widely promoted to improve soil fertility and ecosystem stability in these fragile environments, yet their effects on multi-element stoichiometric organization across the soil–plant continuum remain poorly understood. Here, we compared a <i>Prunus salicina</i> monoculture (Pm, control) with four <i>P. salicina</i>-based AFSs incorporating medicinal understory species (<i>Hypericum monogynum</i>, <i>Polygala fallax</i>, <i>Rubus suavissimus</i>, and <i>Semiliquidambar cathayensis</i> + <i>Illicium difengpi</i>) in the karst region of the Lijiang River Basin. Concentrations of macro- and metallic elements and their stoichiometric relationships were quantified in soils, roots, and leaves to evaluate nutrient acquisition, translocation, and elemental coordination. Relative to Pm, AFSs substantially restructured elemental composition and multi-element stoichiometry across the soil–plant continuum, with the <i>P. salicina</i>–<i>Rubus suavissimus</i> system showing the greatest increases in nutrient bioaccumulation and elemental-network connectivity. Plant nutrient acquisition was more strongly associated with stoichiometric coupling than with absolute soil elemental concentrations, indicating that nutrient regulation was governed primarily by multi-element balance. Variance partitioning analysis revealed that species identity, rather than the number of intercropped species, was the dominant driver of variation in elemental composition and stoichiometric characteristics. Network analysis further identified Ca and Mn as key integrators linking nutrient dynamics across soil, root, and leaf compartments. These findings demonstrate that multifunctional AFSs enhance nutrient coordination through the reorganization of multi-element stoichiometric relationships and provide a mechanistic basis for species selection and stoichiometry-oriented nutrient management in karst agroforestry.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783244","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":"Beyond forest boundaries: trees outside forests, climate resilience and geospatial intelligence in Uttar Pradesh, India","authors":"Arun Pratap Mishra","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01637-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01637-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Trees Outside Forests (TOF), including farm trees, agroforestry, orchards, homestead plantations, roadside and canal side plantations, institutional trees and urban greening constitute an ecologically significant but poorly quantified element of the landscape of Uttar Pradesh, India. Being the most populated state of India with intense agriculture, fast-growing urbanization and agro-climatically diversified regions, Uttar Pradesh has been more and more dependent on TOF for its carbon storage potential, climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, soil and water protection and livelihood diversification. Based on the 2023 India State of Forest Report, the state includes 15,045.80 km² of forest cover and 8,950.92 km² of tree cover, thus showing a total growth of around 559 km² since 2021. The purpose of this Short Communication is to highlight the ecological significance of TOF, discuss the pros and cons of Earth observation and artificial intelligence in TOF assessments and indicate key research, monitoring, and policy priorities needed for the integration of TOF into climate-resilient land-use planning. A multi-data source monitoring approach is suggested, which involves satellite time series, high resolution satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), ground inventories and participatory observations. Better TOF monitoring will facilitate evidence-based decision making, support carbon accounting and agroforestry programs and speed up achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6, 11, 13, and 15.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783245","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":"Understanding gendered aspirations, decision-making, and fruit tree preferences in Makueni County, Kenya","authors":"Michelle Cohen,&nbsp;Mary Crossland,&nbsp;Eefke Mollee,&nbsp;Geneviève Laroche,&nbsp;Agnes Gachuiri,&nbsp;Denis Wakaba,&nbsp;Catherine Muthuri","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01615-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01615-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In Makueni County, Kenya, smallholder farmers face erratic rainfall, severe droughts, recurrent floods, and water scarcity due to climate change. Understanding farmers’ aspirations is therefore essential to ensuring that support is relevant and responsive. This study explored: (1) farmers’ aspirations for farm composition, particularly fruit tree species, and potential changes in response to market and climate shifts; (2) gender dynamics shaping fruit tree cultivation decisions; and (3) connections between cultivated species, aspirations, and decision-making across gender and age. Data collected via focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews revealed a shift towards fruit-tree-based livelihoods, ostensibly offering improved food and income security and reduced labour. However, this shift, dominated by a few exotic species, may reduce farm- and landscape-scale species diversity. Decision-making was strongly gendered: men dominated species selection and management and controlled large-scale sales of higher-value fruit, owing to land ownership, knowledge and cultural norms, while women held greater power over small-scale sales, lower-value species and the income these generated. To foster equitable, resilient farming systems, we recommend inclusive, gender-responsive fruit tree production and management training. Transforming gender relations to amplify women’s voices in species selection could diversify fruit tree portfolios and lead to more equitable and biodiverse farming systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01615-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783238","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}