Agroforestry-Based Ecosystem Services

Agroforestry, land use at the agriculture-forestry interface that implies the presence of trees on farms and/or farmers in forests, has a history that may be as old as agriculture, but as an overarching label and topic of formal scientific analysis, it is in its fifth decade [...]

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

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.

EXPOSURE OF OPERATORS TO CHAINSAW VIBRATION IN FOREST HARVESTING

The implementation process of mechanized systems which occurred in the last decades in Brazil has brought numerous benefits of profitability, quality and safety for forestry activities. However, mechanization can cause harmful effects to the health of operators, among which include the excess of vibration that is responsible for numerous disorders such as Raynaud’s syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of exposure to vibration of chainsaw operators in cutting eucalyptus trees on farms. Thus, a portable accelerometer with a triaxial attachment positioned at the fingers of the operators was used to measure the data. The methodology proposed by NHO-10 was used to classify the degree of exposure. According to the results, 55% of the operators presented above the acceptable levels of exposure, requiring interventions which enable reduced hand-arm vibration. The vibration effects were observed to be more severe in the left hand socket of the operators. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that there is a need for preventive and corrective measures which reduce the exposure of the operators as an intervention in the design of the machines, more rotation between operations, and greater care with the maintenance of the machines, training and reduced exposure time.

The Impact of Legislation on Sustainability of Farm Forests in Kenya: The Case of Lugari Sub-County in Kakamega County, Kenya

This study analyses the effects of the Agriculture (Farm Forestry Rules) of 2009 on Trees on Farms (ToFs) in Lugari sub-county in Kenya. Using existing literature, secondary and primary data sources from online surveys, the authors evaluated the current status of farm forests in order to determine the impact of these rules on respondents from three randomly selected income-expenditure groups through online surveys. Case results substantiate that between the years 2009–2019, ToFs generated social, economic, and environmental benefits amongst landowners surveyed. Moreover, online survey results indicate that young people in the age bracket 18–35 years are increasingly adopting farm forestry contrary to long-held beliefs in the country. However, due to the unpopularity of the 10% rule amongst surveyed income-expenditure groups, and challenges experienced by ToFs owners, this paper concludes that the observed impacts may not be necessary as a response to the 10% rule. Besides addressing the existing inconsistencies, this paper recommends full implementation by transcribing the rules in other languages, developing inventory protocols for ToFs, and awareness creation on the rules in order to register an impact.