Agroforestry Systems最新文献

{"title":"Do different plant host species influence the response of Santalum album under moisture deficit stress?","authors":"S. B. Chavan,&nbsp;G. B. Rawale,&nbsp;A. R. Uthappa,&nbsp;C. B. Harisha,&nbsp;V. D. Kakade,&nbsp;A. S. Morade,&nbsp;S. S. Changan,&nbsp;A. R. Chichaghare,&nbsp;Bappa Das,&nbsp;Dinesh Jinger,&nbsp;P. S. Basavaraj,&nbsp;Dinesh Kumar Yadav,&nbsp;K. Ravi Kumar,&nbsp;R. R. Babar,&nbsp;K. S. Reddy","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01279-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01279-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>With high profitability, growing demand and lucrative market supported by favourable policies, sandalwood cultivation in farmland and agroforestry systems is attracting farmers. Nevertheless, host plant selection carries an important function in terms of supporting enhanced growth and resilience of <i>Santalum album</i> (sandalwood) under moisture stress conditions. This research assessed the effects of various host plants on key morphophysiological and biochemical characteristics of 2.5-year-old field-grown sandalwood under moisture-stress conditions. In addition, a Plant Health Index (PHI) was developed as an appropriate tool for an overall assessment of plant vitality.<i> The maximum height (3.57 m) and leaf area (91.48 cm</i>^<i>2</i>)<i> of sandalwood were recorded when grown with Leucaena leucocephala, whereas the highest girth (8.89 cm) was observed in sandalwood associated with Acacia nilotica</i>. Chlorophyll content, Photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, and relative water content (RWC) showed significant variation, with <i>Dalbergia sissoo</i> (9.69 µg mg⁻¹ FW) and <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> (9.61 µg mg⁻¹ FW) exhibiting higher chlorophyll levels, suggesting superior photosynthetic performance.. Biochemical analysis showed that proline and total free amino acid levels (essential for osmotic adjustment and stress tolerance) were highest in sandalwood grown with <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> (89.02 µg mg⁻¹ FW; 20.00 mg g⁻¹ FW) and <i>Dalbergia sissoo</i> (84.77 µg mg⁻¹ FW; 13.51 mg g⁻¹ FW). Plant Health Index (PHI) identified <i>Cajanus cajan, Leucaena leucocephala</i> and <i>Acacia nilotica</i> as the most favourable hosts and thus increasing sandalwood’s resilience to moisture deficit. This research forms the basis for refining host-sandalwood interactions and sandalwood cultivation on marginal lands of Deccan plateau, India.</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":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144888127","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":"A typological characterization of cocoa farmers in the Amazon region of Colombia based on biophysical and cultural variables","authors":"William Felipe Melo-Zipacon,&nbsp;Darlley Stiven Taborda Lozada,&nbsp;Irene Blanco-Gutiérrez","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01278-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01278-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the Colombian Amazon, cacao (<i>Theobroma cacao</i> L.) is often cultivated with limited productive, environmental, and cultural scopes, largely due to an insufficient understanding of the different types of cacao farmer. A multiple factor analysis of 200 cacao farms in the Putumayo region identified five producer typologies based on qualitative and quantitative variables. Among them, Typology 3 consists mainly of Indigenous farmers (<i>Indigenous with diversified agricultural productions</i>), while Typology 1 includes both farmers and Indigenous people (<i>Predominantly agriculture-oriented farmers</i>). Typologies 2, 4, and 5 comprise peasants, Indigenous people, Afro-descendants, and mestizos. Typology 2 corresponds to <i>Moderately agriculture-oriented peasants</i> with a lower level of education than those in Typology 4, which represents <i>Mixed moderately agriculture-oriented</i>. Typology 5 includes <i>Conservation-oriented farmers</i>. These findings suggest that varying land-use orientations may play a key role in shaping cocoa farmer typologies. Understanding these farming typologies enables the development of policies and strategies tailored to each type of farmer. Moreover, this approach can be applied to other cacao-producing regions worldwide, offering a valuable framework for analysis in contexts with high cultural and ecological diversity. This study offers valuable insights that will help balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, and contribute to an inclusive, resilient rural development.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01278-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144888125","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":"Plot level nitrogen stock is enhanced by a young agroforestry system in a mediterranean environment","authors":"Mubarak Mahmud,&nbsp;Isabelle Bertrand,&nbsp;Jerôme Ngao,&nbsp;Soline Martin-Blangy,&nbsp;Stéphane Bazot,&nbsp;Nicolas Delpierre,&nbsp;Paul Leadley,&nbsp;Gaëlle Vincent,&nbsp;Claire Marsden,&nbsp;Rémi Dugue,&nbsp;Alexandre Morfin,&nbsp;Marion Forest,&nbsp;Anne Marmagne,&nbsp;Laure Barthes","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01264-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01264-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A 2-years assessment of nitrogen (N) stocks, tree N safety nets (from a ¹⁵N labeling experiment), and biological N fixation was conducted in a Mediterranean agroforestry system in southern France. The study aimed to quantify N retention in agroforestry. The study area is characterized by a skeletic rhodic luvisol soil, a mean annual temperature of 15.5 °C, and an average annual precipitation of 556 mm. N and ¹⁵N were quantified across all system components, which are N-fixing black locust trees, crops, weed plants, understory vegetation strips (UVS), rhizospheric soil, and soil microbial biomass. A split-plot experimental design was used, with agroforestry (AF) and monoculture (MC) plots. ¹⁵N labeling was applied to track N fluxes and determine tree nutrient absorption over time. We hypothesized that tree root growth and nutrient leaching would enhance the safety-net effect, improving N retention. Results showed that crops in AF had lower N stocks (13–30% less than MC), but tree and UVS contributions compensated for the deficit, leading to a 62% increase in total plot-level N stock in 2022. The Relative Nitrogen Content was 0.97 in 2021 and 1.63 in 2022. While no ¹⁵N was detected in trees in the first year (70 days after labeling), 2% of applied ¹⁵N was recovered in trees 14 months post-labeling. % of N derived from atmospheric N₂ (%Ndfa) ranged from 52 to 68%, with trees fixing 14–18 kg N ha⁻¹. We confirmed that agroforestry enhances N retention, but further research is needed to quantify leaching and gaseous losses of nitrogen. </p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01264-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144888141","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":"Geospatial analysis of Agroforestry landscape in the Central Western Ghats, India, using Google Earth Engine","authors":"Shahbaz Noori,&nbsp;Tabassum H.,&nbsp;Shivakumar Inamati","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01266-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01266-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Assessing land cover land use change (LCLU) in the Central Western Ghats, India is crucial for evaluating ecosystem degradation and environmental processes influenced by climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Despite widespread awareness of the links between biodiversity loss and human wellbeing, the species continue to disappear at an alarming rate. This study investigates the LCLUC dynamics over the past two decades (2002–2023) in Central Western Ghats, spanning an area of 10,419 km² in Karnataka, India. The Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 satellite imagery served as primary data sources, employed in the Google Earth Engine, a cloud-based platform, to classify images using a Random Forest classifier validated with 17,639 ground training points. The analysis revealed that, dense forest covered largest area (6911.24 km²) followed by sparse forest (1242.73 km²) and cropland (1203.79 km²). Agroforestry and waterbody occupied 257.58 km² and 265.93 km², respectively, while built-up areas, barren land, and plantation forest constituted 326.70 km², 81.87 km² and 129.26 km², respectively. The results indicate a 7.14% reduction in dense forest area, contrasted with a 1.09% increase in agroforestry. The classification achieved an overall accuracy of 94.08% and Kappa index of 0.95. The study highlights alarming deforestation and land use change over two decades, while showcasing potential of agroforestry as a sustainable alternative. The findings underscore urgent need for target conservation strategy and advanced geospatial technologies to mitigate ecological degradation in Central Western Ghats.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144888142","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":"Home garden for subsistence livelihood and economic enhancement in Manipur, India","authors":"Chingkheinganbi Akoijam,&nbsp;Yumnam Dhanaraj,&nbsp;Lanrilu Dangmei,&nbsp;R. S. Loushambam,&nbsp;Salam Dilip,&nbsp;Robert Panmei","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01287-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01287-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Home gardens (HGs) are agroforestry systems integrating diverse crops, promoting biodiversity and reducing monoculture risks. The study aims to investigate the potential of HG, focusing on plant diversity, economic viability, and key species for economic upliftment in Thoubal and Imphal West districts. A Purposive stratified sampling was employed to select informant. In total, 60 home gardeners were chosen as key informants from Imphal West and 52 from Thoubal district of Manipur. Interviews and field observations were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study documented a total of 149 species distributed over 124 genera and 55 families. Among the various form of crops utilization, vegetables and fruits constitute the highest number of species. The CBA value of 1.17 and 1.2 in Imphal West and Thoubal indicates the economic viability of HGs. Notably species with high potential for economic upliftment in the area include <i>Capsicum chinese, Coriandrum sativum, Zea mays</i> and <i>Pisum sativum</i>. The findings also reveal that education, family size of the home gardeners and size of HGs has significant impact on adoption of commercial HGs. Additionally, HG serve as a suitable habitat for domestication of numerous potential wild edible plants. The study emphasises that HG not only enhances family health and food security but also improve financial situations through the sale of products, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. Expanding the research to encompass other districts in Manipur or similar regions in India could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of HGs in different socio-economic contexts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144888140","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":"Connections to trees in the countryside: exploring public perceptions of agroforestry as a future land management system in England","authors":"Sophie Tindale,&nbsp;Lynn J. Frewer,&nbsp;Novieta Sari,&nbsp;Shan Jin,&nbsp;Yit Arn Teh,&nbsp;Mark J. Whittingham,&nbsp;Robbie Girling,&nbsp;Francisco Jose Areal,&nbsp;Marion Pfiefer,&nbsp;Kyriaki Remoundou","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01284-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01284-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agroforestry is increasingly recognised as an approach to deliver multi-functional land use and provide a range of ecosystem services. In England, rural agroforestry is an important part of the government’s net-zero strategy. However, the adoption rate is lower than the policy targets with agroforestry currently accounting for around 1% of the total agricultural area in rural England. Significant landscape change is therefore yet to emerge. To ensure sustainable benefits and be socially acceptable, landscape changes should take into account stakeholder preferences. This study explores people’s connections with trees in the countryside and their perceptions of benefits and risks associated with increased agroforestry in England. We report the results of focus group discussions involving 32 people across two economically, geographically, and agronomically contrasting regions of England (Northumberland/Tyne and Wear in the Northeast, and Thames Valley in the Southeast). The participants articulated an appreciation and enjoyment of established trees in the landscape and referred to social, emotional, and physical connections. Agroforestry systems were seen as generally positive, providing more ecosystem services than disservices. The participants associated a number of environmental and social benefits with the increase in tree cover in the countryside. However, they also stressed the need to ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place so that agroforestry does not negatively impact on the landscape. Our results suggest that there is public support for increased agroforestry adoption, but the incentive schemes should be carefully designed to reflect stakeholder preferences and values and maximize public benefits.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01284-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869106","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":"The influence of human use patterns in shaping the ecological importance of perennial plant species in the Gedeo agroforestry systems, Southern Ethiopia","authors":"Sileshi Lemma,&nbsp;Zebene Asfaw,&nbsp;Motuma Tolera,&nbsp;Akalu Teshome","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01271-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01271-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Traditional agroforestry systems, particularly within Gedeo Landscape of Southern Ethiopia, play a vital role in maintaining both the well-being of local communities and the integrity of the ecosystem. However, little attention has been given to how the ecological significance perennial plant species aligns with their traditional uses, as suggested by the Ecological Apparency Hypothesis (EAH). To bridge this gap, our study explored the ecological roles and varied ethnobotanical applications of perennial plants across agroforestry systems distributed along varied elevation gradients in the study area. Multi-stage sampling method was employed to conduct vegetation surveys in 286 randomly selected households using 10 m × 10 m quadrats (total area of 2.86 hectares) and collecting ethnobotanical information through household surveys with 286 participants and 30 key informant. In doing so, we identified 78 perennial plant species spanning 34 families. Our Importance Value Index (IVI) analysis revealed <i>Ensete ventricosum</i> as the most dominant species (IVI = 92.041), with <i>Coffee arabica</i> and <i>Millettia ferruginea</i> (IVI = 33.626), and <i>Cordia africana</i> (IVI = 15.894) also highly significant. <i>Ensete ventricosum</i> and <i>Millettia ferruginea</i> were prevalent in Enset-tree systems, while these, alongside <i>Coffee arabica</i>, were common in Coffee-Enset-tree and Coffee-fruit-tree systems. Strong positive correlation (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) was found between a species' overall Use Value and its IVI. This suggests that ecologically prominent species are highly valued and utilized by the community, supporting the EAH. This correlation was strong for uses such as construction (ρ = 0.190, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), income generation (ρ = 0.228, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), shade (ρ = 0.185, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), soil fertility improvement (ρ = 0.299, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and energy (ρ = 0.232, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). However, the EAH did not hold true for medicinal, food, and fodder species. High IVI species were specifically linked to certain uses: <i>Millettia ferruginea</i> and <i>Cordia africana</i> for shade, <i>Ensete ventricosum</i> and <i>Cordia africana</i> for income, and <i>Cordia africana</i> and <i>Erythrina brucei</i> for construction. While traditional knowledge on shade, energy, and fodder varied across agroforestry systems, it remained consistent for other uses. We also noted significant differences (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) in how shade, fodder, and energy resources were utilized across different systems. These findings underscore the complex relationship between a species' ecological prominence and its diverse uses in Gedeo agroforestry. Understanding these dynamics is vital for developing sustainable development policies and conservation strategies that recognize the multifaceted value of these species, ultimately supporting ecosystem balance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144814504","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":"Optimizing agroforestry systems through traditional ecological knowledge: a sustainable model for tree species selection in semi-arid lowland region","authors":"Muhammad Waheed,&nbsp;Fahim Arshad,&nbsp;Kaniz Fatima,&nbsp;Asma Jabeen,&nbsp;Abeer Al-Andal,&nbsp;Abdullayev Abdulla Fayzulla Ugli,&nbsp;Baxtigul Nurullayeva,&nbsp;Oygul Khujaniyozova","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01277-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01277-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agroforestry systems are crucial for sustainable agriculture, yielding diverse environmental, economic, and cultural benefits. Traditional and local knowledge is paramount in tree species selection, especially in areas lacking access to scientific resources. This study assessed the traditional knowledge and socioeconomic indicators that affect tree species selection in various agroforestry systems of semi-arid lowland regions. Data were collected from 400 respondents using semi-structured interviews, with emphases on growth parameters, ecosystem services, economic contributions, and cultural values. Indicator‐species analysis was applied to assess the relative importance of tree species using respondents’ data. Principal Component Analysis was implemented to determine trends in species selection based on diverse criteria, as well as interrelations between citations and indicator values using regression models. Results highlighted a total of 48 tree species spread across 29 families with Fabaceae having the highest dominancy. <i>Senegalia modesta</i> was the best indicator for tree species selection concerning growth parameters for its preference based on drought tolerance and high adaptability. Ecosystem services ranked <i>Morus nigra</i> and <i>Mangifera indica</i> highly for shade, fodder, and support to biodiversity. For economic contributions, Dalbergia sissoo and Populus alba featured prominently due to their high demand in the market and export rates. <i>Ficus religiosa</i> and <i>Ficus benghalensis</i> were given utmost priority for being sacred and possessing symbolic values. Growth parameters and ecosystem services emerged as the primary traditional indicators used for tree species selection in semi-arid lowland region agroforestry systems. Results indicate that the future of agroforestry practices should lay emphasis on economic indicators such as profitability and export potential, while considering ecological as well as cultural factors to allow for sustainable development. This work highlights the coalescence of traditional knowledge and scientific methods aimed at maximizing the agroforestry system's efficiency, balancing both environmental as well as socio-economic challenges prevalent in semi-arid regions. By bridging traditional wisdom with modern analysis, the research provides take-home messages toward sustainable land use practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144814505","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":"Agroforestry systems as nature-based solutions for climate risk and livelihood sustainability: a case study from Bhutan","authors":"Kencho Wangmo,&nbsp;Anand Kumar,&nbsp;Sapna A. Narula,&nbsp;Muneer Ahmad Magry","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01262-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01262-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In ecologically fragile and economically vulnerable mountain regions, agroforestry systems offer multifunctional benefits by integrating trees, crops, and livestock to enhance both climate resilience and livelihood security. This study investigates agroforestry as a nature-based solution to climate risk in Bhutan’s Chhukha District, focusing on four system types: agri-silvicultural, agri-silvipastoral, horti-silvicultural, and aqua-silvicultural. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyze primary data from 267 farming households and 28 years of meteorological records (1996–2023). Statistical analyses reveal that agri-silvipastoral systems, practiced by 82.4% of households, generate the highest average income (USD 916.78/year), while horti-silviculture contributes the highest proportion of total household income (87.6%), despite facing market access constraints. OLS regression shows that landholding size (β = 0.297, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and farming experience (β = 0.198, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) are significant predictors of agroforestry income, whereas age, education, and household size are not statistically significant. Mann–Kendall trend analysis confirms a significant rise in temperature (Z = 4.80, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and a marginal, non-significant decline in rainfall (Z = − 0.97, <i>p</i> = 0.33), aligning with local perceptions of increasing climate stress and crop vulnerability. Perception data further show that over 80% of farmers rate agroforestry as effective or highly effective for mitigating climate change, primarily by retaining soil carbon, improving microclimate stability, and enhancing year-round forage availability. Despite Bhutan’s rich tradition of indigenous agroforestry, challenges such as labor demands, pest pressures, and inadequate commercialization remain key barriers to scalability. By applying the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, this study demonstrates agroforestry’s role in strengthening natural and human capital, while exposing persistent gaps in financial and physical infrastructure. The findings highlight agroforestry’s viability as a scalable climate adaptation strategy and provide actionable policy insights for integrating indigenous knowledge with modern agroecological planning across South Asia’s mountain systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144814502","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":"Soil quality in an agroforestry system in the scenario of family farming in the eastern Amazon","authors":"Jonathan Dias Marques,&nbsp;Victor Henrique Rodrigues Dias,&nbsp;Mila Façanha Gomes,&nbsp;Italo Marlone Gomes Sampaio,&nbsp;Gustavo Batista Borges,&nbsp;Luciane Gomes Fiel,&nbsp;Mário Lopes da Silva Júnior,&nbsp;Vânia Silva de Melo","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01272-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01272-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The establishment of conservation agro-ecosystems can play an important role in improving soil quality and can contribute to the recovery of degraded areas, especially in the scenario of deforestation in the Amazon region. Our objective was to evaluate whether an agroforestry system installed in an abandoned and degraded area improves soil quality. We compared the soil of the agroforestry system with that of a secondary forest adjacent to the experiment. The soil chemical indicators evaluated were soil pH, exchangeable calcium (Ca), exchangeable magnesium (Mg), exchangeable aluminum (Al), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), potential cation exchange capacity (CEC), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), base saturation (BS%), aluminum saturation (m%) and soil organic matter (SOM). The physical indicators were soil bulk density (BD) and total porosity (TP). The biological indicators were microbial biomass carbon (MBC), soil microbial respiration (SMR), soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial quotient (qMIC) and metabolic quotient (qCO₂). The pH, Ca, Mg, P, CEC, ECEC, SOM and BS% presented higher values in the agroforestry system, while Al, H + Al and m% presented an inverse pattern, in other words, the highest values were in the secondary forest. For the physical variables, BD was higher in the secondary forest and, consequently, TP presented higher values in the agroforestry system. The indicators of biological soil quality were not altered by the land cover. Thus, conservation systems such as agroforestry systems, when properly managed, can be considered viable alternatives for the recovery of soil quality.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144814506","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}