Agroforestry Systems最新文献

{"title":"Critical agroforestry: a conceptual and analytical approach for reclaiming agroforestry’s emancipatory origins","authors":"Eric Mensah Kumeh","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01619-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01619-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The systematic analysis of power remains a challenge in agroforestry scholarship. This gap persists despite considerable evidence that power–actor–centred, structural, and discursive–shapes not only <i>who</i> designs and implements agroforestry, but also the outcomes produced and how they are distributed. Here, I introduce <i>critical agroforestry</i> as a concept and approach to integrate power analysis into the study of diverse agroforestry technologies, practices and systems. Grounded in social science traditions, <i>critical</i> denotes an approach that explicitly interrogates underlying power structures, dominant ideologies, and structural inequalities. First, I delineate the theoretical foundations of <i>critical agroforestry</i>. The framework operatess on four central principles: agroforestry is politically defined, enacted through contested knowledges, governed by polycentric systems, and mobilized to (re)organize land, labour, value and risk. Next, I analyze how <i>Agroforestry Systems</i> has engaged with issues of power, equity and knowledge from its inception in 1982 to 2025. This involved reviewing 589 predominantly social sciences articles published in the journal. I demonstrate that while the analytical vocabulary used to discuss agroforestry has expanded over time, there has not been a commensurate focus on addressing the embedded power asymmetries that precipitated this expansion. I argue that future research can overcome this limitation by focusing on four intersecting areas: power and governance in polycentric agroforestry systems; knowledge hierarchies and epistemic justice in agroforestry research; labour, land, and livelihood rights across agroforestry value chains; and participatory methodologies and the co-production of agroforestry knowledge. More broadly, centering future agroforestry research and praxis on power will enable us to not merely ask whether agroforestry works, but for <i>whom</i>, on <i>whose</i> terms, and with <i>what</i> consequences for the structural inequalities that determine <i>who</i> controls, benefits from, or is harmed by agroforestry interventions. I invite researchers, practitioners, and grassroots organizations to join forces in advancing <i>critical agroforestry</i> as a unified political and technical endeavor.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01619-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783349","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":"Carbon stocks and yields in smallholder cocoa agroforestry systems along a climatic gradient in Ghana","authors":"Raphael Manu,&nbsp;Munir Hoffmann,&nbsp;Obed Alegyisu Manu,&nbsp;Winston Adams Asante,&nbsp;Reimund P. Rötter,&nbsp;Issaka Abdulai","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01593-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01593-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cocoa agroforestry systems are recognized for their potential to reconcile agricultural production with climate change mitigation, yet the mechanisms governing carbon storage across environmental gradients remain poorly understood. Here, we examined above- and belowground carbon stocks of cocoa and shade trees as well as soil organic carbon (SOC) in smallholder cocoa agroforestry systems across dry, intermediate (mid), and wet climatic zones in Ghana. Despite pronounced differences in shade tree density, size, and species richness, shade-tree aboveground carbon stocks (108–147 Mg C ha⁻¹) as well as total farm-level carbon stocks were comparable across the climatic gradient (from dry to wet), with no negative effect on cocoa yield, signifying trade-offs in the structural characteristics of shade trees driven by management. Cocoa tree carbon and SOC stocks varied across the climatic zones but individually contributed less to ecosystem carbon stocks. Cocoa tree carbon stocks were highest in the mid climatic zone (41 Mg C ha⁻¹) compared to 22 Mg C ha⁻¹ for the dry and 27 Mg C ha⁻¹ for the wet zone, reflecting the older cocoa tree stands and larger stem diameters of the mid zone. SOC was lower in the dry zone than in the mid and wet zones, by 23 and 27%, respectively, and mirrored the combined effects of climatic conditions and soil properties. The ratio of cocoa yield to total plant carbon increased from the dry to wet climatic zone, indicating a shift in carbon allocation toward productivity under wetter climatic conditions. Our results highlight the capacity of cocoa agroforestry systems to provide climate-mitigation benefits independent of climatic variations but with greater synergies of achieving high cocoa productivity and ecosystem carbon storage under wetter climatic conditions. Overall, these findings underscore the need for climate-specific management strategies that optimizes both carbon sequestration and cocoa productivity in West African agroforestry systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01593-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782728","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":"Multifunctional Melientha suavis agroforestry systems and plant diversity on a managed forest farming in Thailand","authors":"Nittaya Mianmit,&nbsp;Phruet Racharak,&nbsp;Wirongrong Duangjai","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01632-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01632-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Melientha suavis</i> Pierre Forest farming is a farmer-managed, multifunctional agroforestry practice that integrates food production, supplementary cash income, and locally valued ecosystem services within smallholder landholdings in Thailand. This study investigated how plant species diversity and functional use intensity are structured and utilized in eight purposively selected, long-established (&gt; 10 years) <i>M. suavis</i> agroforestry farms located in two contrasting production regions: Saraburi Province (central, market-integrated lowlands) and Lamphun Province (northern orchard–forest mosaic). Data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and complete plant inventories. All recorded species were assigned to nine functional-use categories, and a Utilization Index (UI) was calculated to quantify both the breadth of species uses and farm-level utilization intensity. Individual farms contained 11–48 plant species, with more than 100 species recorded across all sites, and were dominated by food and medicinal/herbal plants. Species richness was positively associated with UI, indicating higher utilization intensity in more diverse farms. Saraburi farms tended to exhibit a more even distribution of functional groups, whereas Lamphun farms showed higher utilization concentrated in a smaller number of key species. Farmers reported multiple benefits, including improved access to diverse foods and medicinal plants, supplementary income, and regulating functions such as shade provision, microclimate buffering, and soil protection. Collectively, these findings suggest that farmer-managed plant diversity contributes to the multifunctionality of mature <i>M. suavis</i> agroforestry systems across contrasting socio-ecological contexts in Thailand.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782704","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":"Evaluation of different crop systems of Vanilla planifolia by Totonac local producers in Papantla, Veracruz (Mexico)","authors":"Amanda Alejo-Viderique,&nbsp;María del Pilar Ortega-Larrocea,&nbsp;Marcelo Rojas-Oropeza,&nbsp;Alejandra Sánchez-Ramírez,&nbsp;Luis Eduardo Calderón-Uraga,&nbsp;Nathalie Cabirol","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01626-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01626-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Vanilla planifolia</i> cultivation by Totonac people in the ancestral Tajin region represents historical and cultural richness of Mexico. Nowadays, four agroforestry systems are developed for the orchid’s production, that vary in the natural support and technification: “acahual” (reforested system), shade house (rustic greenhouse), co-culture under orange trees (<i>Citrus sinensis</i> L.), and with local “pichoco” plant (<i>Erythrina</i> spp.). This study focused on evaluating various attributes of these systems. We conducted semi-structured interviews and field evaluations to learn about the management practices. The variables were analyzed using an amoeba diagram and hierarchical grouping analysis. The shade house system is the most technical and the one that obtained the best yields. The orange tree system allows the vanilla to be in better handling conditions. Finally, “acahual” and “pichoco” are more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes, related to poor forest management due to Totonac cultural erosion.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01626-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782706","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":"Understanding the low uptake of agroforestry measures in Italy: evidence from CAP implementation and stakeholder perspectives","authors":"Rosa Rivieccio,&nbsp;Martina Agosta,&nbsp;Erica Mazza,&nbsp;Raoul Romano","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01633-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01633-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agroforestry systems represent a multifunctional land-use approach capable of enhancing numerous ecosystem services, including biodiversity, soil conservation, and climate resilience, as well as promoting farm income diversification by fostering sustainable quality production. However, despite active policy support since 2007 under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), their adoption in Italy remains limited. This study investigates the reasons behind the low uptake of agroforestry measures across three CAP programming periods through a sequential mixed-method design. It begins with a financial and policy analysis to delineate the implementation framework, followed by survey-based econometric modeling to explore behavioural and institutional factors involved.The financial analysis reveals a narrow implementation framework and low expenditure levels, with only a few regions effectively activating the agroforestry measures. The survey results further highlight the behavioural and institutional constraints shaping participation: awareness, technical capacity, and direct experience are associated with a higher willingness to apply, whereas limited knowledge, bureaucratic complexity, and perceived inadequacy of financial support are frequently reported as key barriers. Strengthening training, communication, and policy coherence could therefore promote agroforestry adoption in future CAP cycles.</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 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01633-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782705","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":"Influence of shrub proximity, species, and management on soil labile carbon, macrofauna, and sorghum productivity in Sudanian agroforestry systems","authors":"Bessibié Bazongo,&nbsp;Mipro Hien,&nbsp;Barthélémy Yelemou,&nbsp;Karel Van Den Meersche,&nbsp;Cathy Clermont-Dauphin","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01630-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01630-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>While agroforestry is known to stabilize West African cereal yields, the comparative impacts of specific shrub species and management practices remain under-researched. We assessed the influence of <i>P. reticulatum</i> (DC.) Hochst. and <i>G. senegalensis</i> on sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) productivity, soil labile carbon, and macrofauna in northern Burkina Faso, using data from 252 long-established, farmer-managed subplots. By sampling across these multi-year cropping systems over two years, we captured the legacy effects of five distinct management strategies: an open-field control, (T0), coppiced <i>P. reticulatum</i> (T1), coppiced <i>G. senegalensis</i> (T2), unpruned <i>P. reticulatum</i> (T3), open-field mulched with a shrub mixture (T4). Shrub proximity significantly enhances both yield and soil health, even when coppicing biomass are exported in T1 and T2. <i>P. reticulatum</i> (T1) outperformed <i>G. senegalensis</i> (T2) in both grain and straw yields though soil labile carbon did not differ significantly between species. Standard coppicing (T1) represents a viable strategic compromise, allowing farmers to harvest essential wood and fodder without significantly compromising soil health or cereal productivity. Mulching in open fields (T4) achieved the highest overall performance, but high labor requirements may have limited local adoption. Despite these benefits, the dominance of just two shrub species signals a critical biodiversity bottleneck with potential long-term risks. Overall, a diversified mosaic of shrub management practices, particularly strategic coppicing of shrubs, offers a practical pathway for farmers to sustain yields while reinforcing soil health and ecosystem resilience.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751695","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":"Integrated approach to soil attributes in the Atlantic Forest biome: a comparative study between an agroforestry system and secondary forest in a coastal area of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil","authors":"Cyndi dos Santos Ferreira,&nbsp;Aurea Pinto dos Ramos,&nbsp;Sandra Santana de Lima,&nbsp;Gustavo Souza Lima Sant’Anna,&nbsp;Robert Ferreira,&nbsp;Ana Beatriz Gonçalves Vasques da Silva,&nbsp;Otavio Augusto Queiroz dos Santos,&nbsp;Eliane Maria Ribeiro da Silva,&nbsp;Cristiane Figueira da Silva,&nbsp;Nivaldo Schultz,&nbsp;Marcos Gervasio Pereira,&nbsp;Irene da Silva Coelho","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01629-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01629-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agricultural expansion, combined with poor soil management, can result in soil degradation, erosion, and nutrient depletion. Agroforestry systems (AFS) are sustainable alternatives that promote soil health, conserve biodiversity, and increase productive resilience. This study aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of soils under AFS and forests (FOR) in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, located in the Atlantic Forest biome. In each area, mini-trenches were opened to collect five composite samples at 0–10 cm, with four replicates for chemical, physical, and biological analyses. Ecological similarities were observed between the AFS and FOR systems. While AFS was associated with fertility-related attributes and FOR with organic matter content, the biological components showed comparable patterns. Macrofaunal composition, <i>β</i>-glucosidase activity, abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and glomalin-related soil protein did not markedly differ between the systems. Only arylsulfatase levels were increased in the AFS group. The AFS maintained soil biological integrity, with fungal and bacterial communities exhibiting structures and diversities similar to those observed in the FOR. The fungal class Eurotiomycetes stood out in the AFS due to its higher abundance, while the families and genera Melanommataceae, Hygrophoraceae, Memnoniella, Hygrocybe, Myxarium, and Byssosphaeria were also enriched in this system. In bacterial communities, the class Acidobacteriae was more abundant in FOR, reflecting the influence of soil pH on bacterial composition. Overall, the evaluated AFS demonstrated potential as a strategy for ecological intensification and environmental conservation by maintaining soil and biological attributes comparable to those observed in the forest area while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-026-01629-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751693","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 potential of tree-based land restoration for rebuilding rural bioeconomy in Africa","authors":"Lalisa Duguma,&nbsp;Dieudonne Alemagi,&nbsp;Kennedy Muthee,&nbsp;Peter Minang,&nbsp;Jonathan Muriuki","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01608-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01608-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>There is growing policy and research interest in tree-based restoration across Africa due to widespread land degradation and its negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods. This study synthesizes evidence on how tree-based restoration systems can revitalize degraded landscapes and strengthen rural bioeconomy in Africa. It adopted a narrative literature review method. Findings indicate that these systems contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, with additional adaptation benefits—including improved soil fertility, biodiversity conservation, and agricultural productivity—that vary with factors such as tree species and management practices. Tree-based restoration also supports rural development by providing food, fodder, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products, which can diversify household income, enhance food security, and bolster local energy supplies. However, the outcomes are context-specific, and benefits can be maximized only when appropriate tree systems are established in suitable locations, backed by effective management practices, secure tenure, local knowledge, market access, innovative financing, and enabling policies. Ultimately, tree-based restoration represents not just a solution to land degradation but a strategic pathway for rebuilding resilient rural bioeconomy in Africa.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751001","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":"Prospects and potentials of sustainable lac (Kerria lacca kerr.) cultivation in Bangladesh: a comprehensive review","authors":"Najmun Naher,&nbsp;Mritunjoy Mojumder,&nbsp;Md. Nurul Islam","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01618-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01618-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lac is a commercially cultivated high value, non-timber forest product which has significant industrial use. It serves as an important source of income for rural farmers residing in forest and sub forest regions of the country. The highest lac production was recorded from India which contributed more than 60% of the total production of world followed by Thailand and China. Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Vietnam contributed smaller shares. In Bangladesh, lac farming was primarily concentrated in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon districts, where it provides vital livelihood support to rural communities. Currently, Bangladesh requires roughly 1200 metric tons of processed lac annually, yet domestic production remains significantly insufficient to meet this demand. However, a critical research gap exists regarding how scientific management strategies can overcome the regional challenges of untrained cultivation methods, pest infestations, and microbial diseases that currently restrict yields. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the prospects of sustainable lac farming by examining host tree optimization, favorable climate zones such as the northwestern and central regions of Bangladesh, and integrated pest management. The ber tree (<i>Ziziphus jujuba</i>) is a major host for lac cultivation in India, where over 400 potential lac insect host plant species exist. The suitable climatic condition found for lac cultivation was 24–27 °C temperature, 70–85% humidity, and 1000–1500 mm annual rainfall. Regardless of these advantages, factors such as untrained cultivation methods and microbial infections significantly reduce yield and quality. Improving host management, pest control, and community extension can boost sustainable lac cultivation, driving rural growth and biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh. Stronger research and policy support will unlock its potential as a climate-resilient, eco-friendly enterprise.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751002","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":"From water dose to niche architecture: the 5D-Hydro framework for diversified agroecosystems","authors":"Fatah Ameur","doi":"10.1007/s10457-026-01625-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-026-01625-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The agroecological transition heavily promotes diversified farming systems, such as agroforestry and intercropping, to enhance environmental resilience, optimize resource use, and sustain ecosystem services. However, in water-scarce and irrigated regions, agricultural water management is still predominantly approached as a uniform, yield-maximizing input—a legacy deeply rooted in monoculture paradigms. While the 5D-Hydro framework is primarily designed for irrigated systems, its principles can also guide landscape-level water harvesting and soil management in rainfed systems. This perspective paper highlights a fundamental agronomic paradox: applying uniform irrigation to highly diversified plant systems homogenizes soil moisture conditions, which inadvertently intensifies root competition and erases the functional benefits of plant diversity. To overcome this critical mismatch, the manuscript builds on ecological niche theory to structure the concept of “water nichification” and proposes the comprehensive 5D-Hydro Framework, which shifts the scientific focus from optimizing water quantity (dose) to designing water architecture across five manipulable dimensions: Vertical Divergence (D1), Temporal Dynamics (D2), Stress Intensity (D3), Spatial Heterogeneity (D4), and Biotic and Edaphic Regulation (D5). By deliberately engineering irrigation to create distinct hydric niches, system resilience can be enhanced and interspecific plant interactions can be shifted from severe competition to functional facilitation. The ecophysiological mechanisms underpinning each dimension are detailed, the application of this framework to different agroecosystems (tree-crop vs. annual intercrops) is analyzed, and a renewed experimental and modeling agenda is proposed to manage irrigation as a primary socio-ecological niche-builder.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"100 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751003","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}