The Agroforestry Heritage System of Sabana De Morro in El Salvador

Traditional agroforestry systems are recognized as having great importance for providing multiple benefits for local communities all over the world, especially in tropical countries. Thanks to their multifunctional role, they can support small farmers, contribute to hydrogeological risk reduction, water regulation, preservation of soil, agrobiodiversity and landscape, as well as being examples of mitigation and adaptation towards climate change. The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aims to identify agricultural systems of global importance, preserving landscape, agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge, through dynamic conservation principles. The Sabana de Morro is a traditional agroforestry system located in El Salvador based on cattle grazing in pastures with the presence of Crescentia alata and Crescentia cujete trees, locally called Morro or Jícaro. We documented the main characteristics of this system, that has never been deeply studied, in the Municipality of Dolores, in accordance with the five GIAHS criteria, and through detailed land use mapping, to assess the relations between landscape structure, agrobiodiversity and traditional silvopastoral practices. Sabana de Morro proved to be based on strong interactions between trees, cattle and farmers. The pulp of the Morro fruits is eaten by grazing cattle, completing their feeding and giving a peculiar taste to the locally produced cheese. Morro trees provide shade for the animals while cattle contribute by spreading their seeds that also take advantage of the manure. Results show that this agroforestry system contributes to the preservation of a rich agrobiodiversity and of the traditional landscape. At the same time, it supports local farmers’ livelihood and is consistent with the aim of the GIAHS programme, even if further surveys and research are needed to assess the real possibility of the inclusion in this FAO programme.

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Exploring agroforestry systems and practices in the Terai and hill regions of Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v31i2.41885 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 3-12

Author(s):

S. Ulak ◽

B. Lama ◽

D. K. Pradhan ◽

S. Bhattarai

Keyword(s):

Market Price ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Agroforestry System ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Land Market ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The Status ◽

Traditional Agroforestry ◽

Agroforestry Practices ◽

Local Farmers

This paper explores the status of agroforestry systems and practices in the Terai and hill regions of Nepal. Field survey, semi-structured interview and focus group discussions with the local farmers and stakeholders were conducted to explore the status of the agroforestry system and practices. The study covers forty-three districts, and represents agroforestry systems and practices in the Terai and hill regions of Nepal. Altogether, twelve agroforestry systems and forty-three agroforestry practices were documented in the Terai and hills of Nepal- ten systems in the Terai and seven systems in the hills. Agrisilviculture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrosilvopastoral, agrohortosilvopastoral, homegarden, hortiagriculture, silvofishery, agrosilvifishery, hortisilviculture and apiculture were the major agroforestry systems adopted in the Terai whereas those adopted in the hills included hortiagriculture, agrisilviculture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrosilvopastoral, homegarden, hortosilvipastoral and silvopastoral. The study revealed a gradual emerging scenario of commercial agroforestry systems in these regions although the continuation of traditional agroforestry systems was observed in most of the Terai and hill regions. Insufficient labour availability, fragmentation of land, market price fluctuation, lack of technical knowledge, and wild animal disturbances were some of the major challenges observed in the Terai and hills of Nepal.

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A Review of the Role of Forests and Agroforestry Systems in the FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11080860 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 860

Author(s):

Antonio Santoro ◽

Martina Venturi ◽

Remo Bertani ◽

Mauro Agnoletti

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Sustainable Forest Management ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Main Role ◽

Traditional Management ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Management Techniques ◽

Traditional Agroforestry

Traditional agroforestry systems have received increasing attention in recent decades for their multifunctional role and as a sustainable development model for rural areas. At the international level, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme in 2002 with the aim of identifying agricultural systems of global importance; preserving landscapes, agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge; applying the dynamic conservation principles while promoting sustainable development. The aim of the research is to carry out a review of the inscription dossiers of all the 59 sites already included in the GIAHS programme, in order to analyze the role of forests and agroforestry systems. Moreover, the main traditional management techniques have been identified and briefly described, as traditional forest-related knowledge is particularly important for sustainable forest management. Forests and agroforestry systems have been found to be important or crucial in about half of the sites. The main role assigned to forests and agroforestry systems in GIAHS proposals is related to the production of timber, fuelwood and by-products for the local communities according to sustainable and traditional management techniques. Among these, they also play important roles in hydrogeological protection, water regulation and biodiversity maintenance, representing examples both of human adaptation to different environments and of resilient systems that could help to face global challenges such as hydrogeological risk and climate change. The review of the GIAHS inscription dossiers also highlighted the lack of a uniform approach in dealing with forest issues, especially for what concern the description of management plans and the relation with protected areas or forest planning instruments.

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Local Knowledge and Perspectives of Change in Homegardens: A Photovoice Study in Kandy District, Sri Lanka

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12176866 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (17) ◽

pp. 6866

Author(s):

Rachel deHaan ◽

Helen Hambly Odame ◽

Naresh Thevathasan ◽

Sarath P. Nissanka

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Rural Livelihoods ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Local Communities ◽

Crop Damage ◽

Ecological Change ◽

Traditional Agroforestry ◽

Local Farmers

Kandyan homegardens are traditional agroforestry systems that exist to support rural livelihoods in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. These agro-ecosystems have been sustained over generations of socio-ecological change and are recognized today for their biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. The main drivers of adaption and the sustainability of homegardens are the local farmers who manage them on a daily basis. However, despite being key stakeholders, local communities have seldom been included in research, especially through participatory approaches. This study utilized a participatory and visual method called photovoice to reveal the local perspectives and experiences of socio-ecological change as viewed by 24 Kandyan homegardeners. The results highlight visual documentation and narrative that publicly displayed farmers’ perspectives of their current homegardening situation and the major challenges they face. The priorities for future conservation of homegardens include addressing wildlife conflict and crop damage, the lack of land to grow, and a decline in available labor and interest in agriculture, especially among younger household members. Our results indicate that the photovoice process allowed for rich, varied, and in-depth stories of the human-ecological relationship in homegardens to emerge. Consideration of these relationships and the knowledge of local communities are necessary for understanding socio-ecological change in homegardens, and key to sustainable development. Photovoice, we conclude, is a robust method for research in agroforestry systems that can effectively engage local farmers and produce participant-driven data that are potentially well suited to complement other methods for a more holistic approach to understanding homegardens.

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Floristic evolution in an agroforestry system cultivation in Southern Brazil

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201620150026 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 973-982 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

LUÍS C.R. SILVA ◽

SEBASTIÃO A. MACHADO ◽

FRANKLIN GALVÃO ◽

AFONSO FIGUEIREDO FILHO

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Age Groups ◽

Mixed Forest ◽

Agroforestry System ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

First Year ◽

Traditional Agroforestry ◽

Floristic Evolution ◽

Over Time

ABSTRACT Bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham) is an important pioneer tree species in Ombrophylous Mixed Forest of Brazil and is widely used as an energy source. In traditional agroforestry systems, regeneration is induced by fire, then pure and dense stands known as bracatinga stands (bracatingais) are formed. In the first year, annual crops are intercalated with the seedlings. At that time the seedlings are thinned, then the stands remain at a fallow period and cut at seven years old. The species is very important mainly for small landowners. We studied the understory species that occur naturally during the succession over several years in order to manage them rationally in the future and maintain the natural vegetation over time. Three to 20 year-old Bracatinga stands were sampled between 1998 and 2011. All tree species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were measured.The floristic evolution was assessed with respect to Sociability Index, the Shannon Diversity Index and the Pielou Evenness Index. Graphs of rank/abundance over different age groups were evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. We identified 153 species dispersed throughout the understory and tend to become aggregated over time.

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Negative human-wildlife interactions in traditional agroforestry systems in Assam, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.5754.12.10.16230-16238 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 16230-16238

Author(s):

Yashmita-Ulman ◽

Manoj Singh ◽

Awadhesh Kumar ◽

Madhubala Sharma

Keyword(s):

Action Plan ◽

Agroforestry System ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Wild Animals ◽

Policy Action ◽

Livestock Depredation ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

The People ◽

Questionnaire Surveys ◽

Traditional Agroforestry

Traditional agroforestry systems are designed to provide maximum and diverse yield (ranging from agricultural crops, forest trees, livestock and fish) to people. They also act as sources of food and shelter to wild animals leading to crop destruction, livestock depredation and injuries to people giving rise to negative human-wildlife interactions. The present study was carried out in three different agroforestry systems namely tea gardens, homegardens, and agrisilvicultural systems in Assam to document the attitude of people towards wild animals which damage the crops and livestock, through questionnaire surveys. In agroforestry systems, 13 animals were reported as destructive; rodents at 13% followed by Indian Hare at 12%. The least destructive were birds and bats with 4% each. In tea gardens majority of the people killed animals for meat (95%) and the most common method for killing was the use of catapults (77%). In homegardens and agrisilvicultural systems, owners chased the animals away (82%) by using catapults (68%). Hunting of animals and intolerance of people towards crop destruction and livestock depredation done by wild animals were the two main reasons causing negative human-wildlife interactions in agroforestry systems. The present study concludes that wildlife species found in the agroforestry system in Assam were threatened by local inhabitants and thus, a suitable conservation awareness and policy action plan should be developed in consultation with the owners of agroforestry systems by considering the ecological significance of the wildlife species found therein.

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Potential of Agroforestry System on Peat Land to Enhance Food Security and Environmental Sustainability

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202130505005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 305 ◽

pp. 05005

Author(s):

Wahida Annisa ◽

Ani Susilawati ◽

Arifin Fahmi ◽

Husnain ◽

Dedi Nursyamsi

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Agroforestry System ◽

Agroforestry Systems ◽

Fire Control ◽

Dry Land ◽

Research Results ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation ◽

Massive Scale

Indonesia is a country with the largest tropical peatlands in the world. utilization of peatlands has been widely associated with fires and environmental issues like carbon dioxide emissions because of the highest land-use. The reduction or loss of the peat forest ecosystem for the development of dry land plants on a massive scale has reduced the quality of the environment, so that the function and benefits of the peat ecosystem as a hydrological buffer for the surrounding area are disturbed. This paper aims to synthesize all research results qualitatively to explore the potential for developing agroforestry systems on peatlands in an effort to increase food security and protect the environment. This review paper uses the Qualitative Review Systematics method with stages: 1) formulation of questions, 2) literature search, 3) screening and selecting appropriate research articles, 4) analyzing and synthesizing qualitative findings, 5) presenting finding. Agroforestry has the potential to have a real impact on food security, climate change including mitigation and adaptation, and preserving the environment. Some research results show that the agroforestry systems can be an effective buffer in peatlands in fire control because the peat stabilization process requires control materials to maintain the elemental composition, carboxyl (COOH) and OH-phenol functional groups, so that the peat conditions become stable.

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Agricultural Heritage Systems and Landscape Perception among Tourists. The Case of Lamole, Chianti (Italy)

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12093509 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 3509 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Antonio Santoro ◽

Martina Venturi ◽

Mauro Agnoletti

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Public Institutions ◽

Local Planning ◽

Landscape Perception ◽

Rural Landscapes ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food And Agriculture Organization ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

Local Farmers

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program, promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), recognizes the multifunctional role of agricultural heritage systems. Traditional terraced landscapes represent important touristic destinations, and Chianti is one of the most well-known areas of Italy for rural tourism. The high-quality landscape of Lamole, consisting of forests and terraced agricultural areas, is included in the Italian National Register of Historical Rural Landscapes thanks to local farmers who recently restored the traditional landscape, considering it important both for tourism and product quality. The main aim of this research was to investigate, using anonymous questionnaires, whether tourists are aware of the characteristics of the Lamole landscape in comparison with other parts of Chianti. Results show that tourists clearly express their preference for the traditional landscape, which is comprised of a mosaic of agricultural patches with dry-stone terraces and forests, and that the level of landscape diversification is similar to 180 years ago. As tourism is a major resource, public institutions should support farmers in preserving the traditional landscape, investing in paths and information, as requested by tourists. The methodology has proved to be useful for addressing local planning, and to help farmers to achieve sustainable development in well-known touristic rural areas.

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Food waste and dynamic complex systems: The case of Peru and a solution model proposal Part 1: Peruvian Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens)

10.31234/osf.io/3bjpv ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carlos A Almenara

Keyword(s):

United Nations ◽

Complex Systems ◽

Revenue Management ◽

Food Waste ◽

Intelligent Systems ◽

Solution Model ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food And Agriculture Organization ◽

Engraulis Ringens ◽

The United Nations

[THE MANUSCRIPT IS A DRAFT] According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 2020), food waste and losses comprises nearly 1.3 billion tonnes every year, which equates to around US$ 990 billion worldwide. Ironically, over 820 million people do not have enough food to eat (FAO, 2020). This gap production-consumption puts in evidence the need to reformulate certain practices such as the controversial monocropping (i.e., growing a single crop on the same land on a yearly basis), as well as to improve others such as revenue management through intelligent systems. In this first part of a series of articles, the focus is on the Peruvian anchoveta fish (Engraulis ringens).

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To the Empire and Beyond

10.1093/oso/9780199642533.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Gregory A. Barton

Keyword(s):

Second World War ◽

World War ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Basic Principles ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food And Agriculture Organization ◽

Organic Farmers ◽

Southern Rhodesia ◽

The Government ◽

Second World

This chapter traces the expansion of industrial agricultural methods after the Second World War. Western governments and the Food and Agriculture Organization pushed for increased use of chemical fertilizers to aid development and resist Soviet encroachment. Meanwhile small groups of organic farmers and gardeners adopted Howard’s methods in the Anglo-sphere and elsewhere in the world. European movements paralleled these efforts and absorbed the basic principles of the Indore Method. British parliament debated the merits of organic farming, but Howard failed to persuade the government to adopt his policies. Southern Rhodesia, however, did implement his ideas in law. Desiccation theory aided his attempts in South Africa and elsewhere, and Louise Howard, after Albert’s death, kept alive a wide network of activists with her publications.

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Ensuring Agricultural Sustainability through Remote Sensing in the Era of Agriculture 5.0

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11135911 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 5911

Author(s):

Vanesa Martos ◽

Ali Ahmad ◽

Pedro Cartujo ◽

Javier Ordoñez

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Sustainable Agriculture ◽

Information Acquisition ◽

Industrial Revolution ◽

Structural Parameters ◽

Special Focus ◽

World Population ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Food And Agriculture Organization ◽

Zero Hunger

Timely and reliable information about crop management, production, and yield is considered of great utility by stakeholders (e.g., national and international authorities, farmers, commercial units, etc.) to ensure food safety and security. By 2050, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates, around 70% more production of agricultural products will be needed to fulfil the demands of the world population. Likewise, to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the second goal of “zero hunger”, potential technologies like remote sensing (RS) need to be efficiently integrated into agriculture. The application of RS is indispensable today for a highly productive and sustainable agriculture. Therefore, the present study draws a general overview of RS technology with a special focus on the principal platforms of this technology, i.e., satellites and remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs), and the sensors used, in relation to the 5th industrial revolution. Nevertheless, since 1957, RS technology has found applications, through the use of satellite imagery, in agriculture, which was later enriched by the incorporation of remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs), which is further pushing the boundaries of proficiency through the upgrading of sensors capable of higher spectral, spatial, and temporal resolutions. More prominently, wireless sensor technologies (WST) have streamlined real time information acquisition and programming for respective measures. Improved algorithms and sensors can, not only add significant value to crop data acquisition, but can also devise simulations on yield, harvesting and irrigation periods, metrological data, etc., by making use of cloud computing. The RS technology generates huge sets of data that necessitate the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to extract useful products, thereby augmenting the adeptness and efficiency of agriculture to ensure its sustainability. These technologies have made the orientation of current research towards the estimation of plant physiological traits rather than the structural parameters possible. Futuristic approaches for benefiting from these cutting-edge technologies are discussed in this study. This study can be helpful for researchers, academics, and young students aspiring to play a role in the achievement of sustainable agriculture.

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