Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Agroforestry

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibu Jose
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Agronomic Crops ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Agroforestry systems, the planting of perennial trees and/or shrubs with annual agronomic crops or pasture, have been proposed as more environmentally benign, alternative systems for agricultural production in both temperate and tropical regions of the world. Agroforestry provides a number of environmental benefits as confirmed by scientific literature. The four major environmental benefits of agroforestry are (1) climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, (2) biodiversity conservation, (3) soil health enrichment, and (4) air and water quality improvement. In addition to environmental benefits, the economic benefits of multiple crops within agroforestry systems have also generated interest in their adoption by farmers the world over. The major negative impacts come from conversion or degradation of forests following certain traditional practices, which may not fit in the definition of modern agroforestry. Challenges remain for widespread adoption of agroforestry, particularly in the temperate world; however, a new resurgence of interest in this land-use practice among small-scale farmers has shed light on a path toward its possible success. Past evidence clearly indicates that agroforestry, as part of a multifunctional working landscape, can offer not only economic return, but also a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits for a sustainable society.

scholarly journals Climate-Smart Agriculture on Small-Scale Farms: A Systematic Literature Review

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1096
Author(s):  
Tamás Mizik
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Case Site

Overpopulation and climate change are among the greatest challenges the world faces. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) provides an adequate answer by aiming for higher productivity, resilience, as well as GHG emission reduction. As small-scale farms are the cornerstone of the agricultural sector, especially in developing countries, their greater involvement in climate-related actions is essential. CSA practices seek a higher and more stable income sustainably. This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of how CSA is realized on small-scale farms, what the major CSA practices applied are, and what factors motivate and hamper higher CSA adoption. Based on 30 selected articles, the major message of the literature is a case/site-specific approach due to the tremendous heterogeneity of small-scale farms. As agricultural production is characterized by high risks and low returns, small-scale farmers must consider the length of the payback period when they decide on any CSA practices. This is the reason smallholdings, who implement any CSA practices, must achieve economic benefits, otherwise, they need to be compensated for providing environmental benefits. Moreover, simpler methods with low labor intensity are often applied. Access to the different financial instruments and inputs, knowledge/education/information, and land use security are the critical factors of the CSA adoption. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that, unlike off-farm activities/incomes, full-time farming is a serious commitment that positively influences CSA adoption.

scholarly journals Simulating Agroforestry Adoption in Rural Indonesia: The Potential of Trees on Farms for Livelihoods and Environment

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
Beatrice Nöldeke ◽  
Etti Winter ◽  
Yves Laumonier ◽  
Trifosa Simamora
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Scenario ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Change Scenario ◽  
Trees On Farms ◽  
Agroforestry Adoption ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

In recent years, agroforestry has gained increasing attention as an option to simultaneously alleviate poverty, provide ecological benefits, and mitigate climate change. The present study simulates small-scale farmers’ agroforestry adoption decisions to investigate the consequences for livelihoods and the environment over time. To explore the interdependencies between agroforestry adoption, livelihoods, and the environment, an agent-based model adjusted to a case study area in rural Indonesia was implemented. Thereby, the model compares different scenarios, including a climate change scenario. The agroforestry system under investigation consists of an illipe (Shorea stenoptera) rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) mix, which are both locally valued tree species. The simulations reveal that farmers who adopt agroforestry diversify their livelihood portfolio while increasing income. Additionally, the model predicts environmental benefits: enhanced biodiversity and higher carbon sequestration in the landscape. The benefits of agroforestry for livelihoods and nature gain particular importance in the climate change scenario. The results therefore provide policy-makers and practitioners with insights into the dynamic economic and environmental advantages of promoting agroforestry.

The Perceived Impacts of Sport Tourism: An Urban Host Community Perspective

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Hritz ◽  
Craig Ross
Keyword(s):  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Sport Tourism ◽  
Tourism Impacts ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Perceived Impacts ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Social Environmental

Sport tourism is one of the fastest growing market segments in the tourism industry and is receiving increased attention for its social, environmental, and economic impacts upon destinations. Prior research in tourism impacts has tended to focus exclusively on tourism as a whole and does not differentiate among the different types of tourism that may be present in a destination. The purpose of this study was to examine how residents of Indianapolis, Indiana perceived the impacts sport tourism has upon their city. A total of 347 surveys were returned in a mailed questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four factor structure of social benefits, environmental benefits, economic benefits, and general negative impacts. Social and economic benefits were strong predictors for support for further sport tourism development revealing a strong identification with the advantages of sport tourism in their city such as an increased cultural identity and social interaction opportunities.

Local and global benefits of subsidizing tropical forest conservation

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Forest Conservation ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Tropical Forest Conservation ◽  
Financial Benefits

The article describes and quantifies the financial benefits of small-scale community forestry, conducted on an ecologically sustainable basis—‘eco-forestry’, by customary landowners in Papua New Guinea. Through economic modelling the article also attempts to quantify the global benefits generated. Eco-forestry is subsidized by donors directly and through NGOs in its setting up and certification. Financial modelling suggests that, with a subsidy, eco-forestry is capable of generating a return to landowners that is comparable to industrial logging. While the return to logging followed by conversion to agriculture is much more attractive than eco-forestry, agriculture is an option available only in some locations. Economic modelling finds that the external economic benefits emanating from tropical forest conservation that replaces logging in Papua New Guinea are far greater in scale than the financial benefits to landowners. However, the lack of reliable data on the environmental benefits of forest conservation means that economic analysis is somewhat inconclusive. The need for further research to quantify environmental benefits is thus highlighted. The subsidization of forest conservation directly, instead of indirectly through small-scale forestry, is investigated and found to generate a similar level of economic benefits to eco-forestry. However, the cost of direct subsidization is greater. Moreover, mechanisms for direct subsidy are undeveloped in Papua New Guinea. Donors may prefer to continue to subsidize small-scale forestry where it replaces logging because of its apparent conservation and side benefits and because it is operational, while at the same time exploring and extending cost-effective models of direct conservation that have the advantage over eco-forestry of being applicable in more remote areas. Compared with industrial logging, eco-forestry contributes little to consolidated revenue. Therefore it is to be expected that eco-forestry will meet government resistance if it makes significant inroads into the allocation of logging concessions.

Small-Scale Decentralized Renewable Energy Systems for the Remote Communities of the Developing Countries

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazharul Islam ◽  
A. K. M. Sadrul Islam ◽  
M. Ruhul Amin
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Renewable Energy Systems ◽  
The World

About 2 billion people of the world, mostly in rural areas of the developing countries, do not have access to grid-based electricity. The most critical factor affecting their livelihoods is access to clean, affordable and reliable energy services for household and productive uses. Under this backdrop, renewable and readily available energy from the nature can be incorporated in several proven renewable energy technology (RET) systems and can play a significant role in meeting crucial energy needs in these remote far flung areas. RETs are ideal as distributed energy source and they can be incorporated in packages of energy services and thus offer unique opportunities to provide improved lighting, health care, drinking water, education, communication, and irrigation. Energy is also vital for most of the income-generating activities, both at the household or commercial levels. Access to energy is strongly connected to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which set targets for poverty reduction, improved health, and gender equality as well as environmental sustainability. Environmentally benign renewable energy systems can contribute significantly in the above-mentioned unserved or underserved areas in the developing countries to achieve both local and global environmental benefits. This is important in the context of sustainable development in: (i) poverty alleviation, (ii) education, (iii) gender equity and empowerment, (iv) health including other benefits like improved information access through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centers, (v) better security, and (vi) increase in social or recreational opportunities. It is evident that proliferation of renewable energy resources through implementing their applications for meeting energy demand will promote all the three dimensions namely, social, economic and environmental of sustainable development in the developing countries. Several small scale enabling RET systems have been suggested in this paper in the light of above-mentioned issues of energy sustainability and they can significantly contribute to the improvement of the livelihood of the remote impoverished rural communities of the developing countries. With the current state of technology development, several RET systems (such as wind, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, biomass and microhydro) have become successful in different parts of the world. In this paper, an exhaustive literature survey has been conducted and several successful and financially viable small-scale RET systems were analyzed. These systems have relevance to the economies of the developing countries that can be utilized for electrification of domestic houses, micro enterprises, health clinics, educational establishments and rural development centers.

scholarly journals Socio-economic contributions of small-scale plantations in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 84-92
Author(s):  
Yilebes Addisu Damtie ◽  
Mandefrot Amare
Keyword(s):  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Tree Plantations ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Basic Services ◽  
Rainfall Reduction ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Favourable Environment

In order to enhance the attention given by farmers, government and concerned bodies, the socio-economic contributions of small-scale plantations should be studied. This study identified the socio-economic benefits of small-scale plantations in the Godera Woreda of Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Data were collected through questioners and key informant interviews from 208 farmers and 8 key informants. Descriptive statistics and a regression model were used to analyse the data. The results of the study revealed that of the average 1.72 ha of land possessed by small-scale farmers 0.81 ha was used for tree plantations. The main types of plantations were coffee, eucalyptus, banana and avocado. The mean annual production was 645 kg, 290 kg and 271 kg for coffee, banana and avocado, respectively. Small-scale farmers earned a mean of 4675.56 Birr from plantations which was 32.37 % of the total income. The Woreda government gained 365,022 Birr royalty payment during 2015/16.The regression results show income from plantations significantly affects the annual income of small-scale farmers (β = 0.436, p < 0.01). Access to basic services, land use change, expenditures, population growth, employment opportunities, and migration are social changes supported by small-scale plantations. The availability of a favourable environment, extension service, land, and peace are opportunities of plantations. In contrast, challenges of small-scale plantations are disease, low prices for product, lack of improved plantation varieties, shortage of land, lack of demand, climate change and rainfall reduction, lack of government support, and high transportation costs. It is recommended to strengthen the small-scale plantations for better positive socio-economic contributions of the sector through supporting the opportunities and management of identified challenges.

scholarly journals Assessment of Environmental Impact and Economic Viability of Domestic Biogas Plant Technology in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Suraya Akter ◽  
Humayun Kabir ◽  
Shamima Akhter ◽  
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Biogas Technology

The study investigated the distinct environmental impacts and economic viability of domestic biogas technology in the countryside of Bangladesh. The study was carried out by a survey through personal interviews with biogas users. Seventy households were selected purposively and interviews were conducted through semi-structured questionnaires. The study mainly highlighted the potential reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and economic benefits of biogas utilization which were evaluated considering the substitution of traditional biomass fuels, by saving Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and cost of chemical fertilizer, and carbon trading. The economic benefits are addressed using some well-known economic indicators like Net Present Value (NPV), Payback Period (PBP), and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The results of the study revealed that a small-scale household anaerobic cow dung biogas digester not only exhibited the potential to cut carbon emissions on average by about 7.8 tons of CO2 equivalents yearly, but it also demonstrated the economic feasibility of doing so as the value of NPV and BCR was positive. This study recommends that the government approach, awareness program, and continuous and proper performing of the biogas technology are needed to intensify the multiples environmental benefits of the technology.

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