Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities Response Differently to Bombax Ceiba (Malvaceae) in a Traditional Agroforestry System

Background Agroforestry system is one of promising directions for developing sustainable agriculture because the intercropping of crops and trees may facilitate resource cycling and avoid soil degradation. Bombax ceiba (Malvaceae), a tall tree with red flowers blooming in Spring, is traditionally planted in rice paddies in tropical Asia, while the roles of B. ceiba in the agroecosystem remain unexplored.Methods In this paper, we investigated and assessed spatiotemporal variations of soil nutrient contents and soil bacterial and fungal communities along the distance gradients to B. ceiba during three reproductive stages of rice, i.e. booting, heading, mature, in a typical Bombax-dominated rice paddy on Hainan Island, South China.Results B. ceiba in rice paddy could improve the soil nutrient conditions, particularly available K and soil organic carbons. The relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Ascomycota increased while Actinobacteria decreased along the distance gradient to B. ceiba. In addition, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was highest at harvesting stage of rice, while Acidobacteria was richer in the early reproductive stage of rice. Soil potassium content was the principal driver in shaping soil bacterial diversity and composition, while fungal community was mainly affected by soil nitrogen.Conclusions Our results provide evidences for positive influences of B. ceiba on biotic and abiotic traits of rice paddy soils and thus lend supports to the ecological basis of this tropical Asian endemic traditional Agroforestry system, which could increase resource cycling and paddy stability and have the potential to reduce carbon emission.

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

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.

Economic Valuation of “Parak” Traditional Agroforestry West Sumatera (Case Study in Nagari Paninggahan, Solok Regency)

This study aims to determine the economic value, which is a direct and indirect benefit (tangible and intangible) of Parak in the research area. This research used a case study method, and the sampling was carried out in a purposive manner consisting of 50 sample farmers. The data used in this study are primary data and secondary data. Preliminary data were obtained by direct interviews with respondents based on the questionnaire provided, while secondary data were taken from agencies related to this research. The processing of data obtained in the field shows that Parak plays an important role in supporting the economy of farmers in Nagari Paninggahan either directly or indirectly. The direct use value obtained from the plant is IDR. 46,753,650 (66,316 per cent), from firewood of IDR. 23,070,000 (32,722 percent) and from livestock IDR. 678,550 (0.963 per cent) so that the total direct use income is IDR. 70,502,200 per year of all commodities cultivated by the sample farmers. Meanwhile, for indirect use, such as household/domestic water use, IDR. 13,312,320/year and agricultural irrigation water IDR. 54,052,111/year. The total indirect usage is IDR. 67,364,431,-. Per year. Agroforestry patterns can cover the soil layer well and have an effective influence on soil erosion control to increase the supply of water in the soil. Respondents have also carried out other conservation activities by constructing bench terraces, terracing systems, and other buildings to suppress sedimentation and erosion.

Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological Study of Agroforestry Trees in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study focuses on distribution pattern, diversity and phytosociology of tree species associated with traditional agroforestry in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Data was collected from fifty quadrats (10×10m) sized thrown randomly in agriculture fields. Twenty six tree species belonging to 16 families and 21 genera were encountered. Grewia optiva, Pyrus persica and Celtis australis were the dominant tree species. Grewia optiva was the most dense tree species 3.88 stem/ha followed by Pyrus persica with 3.74 stem/ha. Buxus wallichiana was recorded as the least dense species (0.82 stem/ha). The study revealed that the area has vast potential sites for the plantation of various agroforestry tree species to solve fuel, fodder and timber. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(2): 77-82

Assessing the sustainability of traditional agroforestry practices: a case of Mamar agroforestry in Kupang-Indonesia

A traditional agroforestry of West Timor, namely Mamar, produces important ecosystem services to the people of this arid region, however, its management tends to change, thereby disrupting its sustainability. This study aims to assess the sustainability of Mamar agroforestry by analyzing the livelihood assests of the community, the biophysical land performance of the soil, and the value of ecosystem services. Furthermore, data, on perception and livelihood assets; the level of soil damage, the importance value index, and diversity index, the value of ecosystem services based on the opinion of experts and community leaders, as well as change in land use were collected in five villages in Kupang district using surveys with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The results showed a change of perspective in Mamar's management; the decrease in the important value index of cultural crops, the diversity index is classified as declining, there is soil damage in several parameters, and the value of ecosystem services does not focus on cultural services. Considering this result, there is a socio-ecological trade-off that reduces support for the sustainability of Mamar as traditional agroforestry that emphasizes socio-cultural functions.

Peasants’ Motivations to Maintain Vegetation of Tropical Dry Forests in Traditional Agroforestry Systems from Cuicatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico

The ways traditional rural communities conduct activities to meet their livelihoods commonly contribute to conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Traditional agroforestry systems (TAFS) are expressions of management that deliberately retain wild vegetation coexisting with crops to obtain multiple socio-ecological contributions. However, processes enhancing productive intensification endanger their permanence. This study aimed to 1) identify the peasants’ motivations to maintain the vegetation of tropical dry forest within their agricultural fields, 2) analyze the capacity of TAFS to provide contributions to people’s well-being, and 3) identify factors and processes limiting conservation capacities and possible alternatives. The study was conducted in three communities of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Oaxaca, Mexico. We performed a qualitative analysis with information from two workshops with local people, 10 semi-structured interviews with managers of TAFS, participant observation, complementary informal talks, and fieldwork notes. For analyzing the data, we: 1) generated a list of central themes based on the data collected, 2) established preliminary categories of such themes, 3) coded all information through the Atlas. ti software, 4) adjusted the classification of categories and codes to the data, 5) grouped codes and analyzed their relationships. We found that the peasants’ motivations to maintain the wild vegetation are the provision of multiple beneficial contributions: material (edible fruit, medicinal plants, fodder, firewood), regulating (shade, soil fertility, humidity keeping, rain attraction), and nonmaterial (regional flavors, ornamental, ritual), among others, which meet some of their fundamental needs (primarily subsistence, identity, and protection). The main reasons for keeping the wild vegetation were material contributions (62%). Also, we observed that TAFS safeguarding a higher forest cover and species diversity provide a broader range of socio-ecological contributions and potential to satisfy human needs than those with lower cover. Peasant agriculture may allow maintaining biodiversity while satisfying fundamental human needs. However, it needs to be revitalized, made more efficient, profitable, and dignified. The agroecological management implemented by peasants in TAFS is crucial for ensuring the continuity of essential environmental functions and people’s well-being.

Quantification of Ecoservices in Traditional Agroforestry Systems in Semi Arid Tropics

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) being an important tropical tree, traditional neem-based agroforestry (bund/boundary/scattered tree planting with field crops) systems were evaluated for their carbon sequestration (CS) potential, soil quality, pest dynamics and provisioning services in comparison with prevailing grain based system in the tropical India. Results revealed higher economic gain from soil quality services followed by CS in all the agroforestry systems among the non-marketable services, whereas higher provisioning services were obtained with crops alone. In all, total economic value was higher in boundary planting ($ 1053.94/ha/yr) followed by bund planting ($ 961.95/ha/yr) and was lower with scattered planting ($ 939.76/ha/yr). However, the provisioning services ($ 841 - 889/ha/yr) rendered by agroforestry systems were lower than those of agriculture alone ($ 904/ha/yr) but were still significant from ecological and sustainable angles. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(2): 427-432, 2021 (June)