Abstract
Soil degradation is a global concern, decreasing the soil’s ability to perform a multitude of functions. In Europe, one of the leading causes of soil degradation is unsustainable agricultural practices. Hence, there is a need to explore alternative production systems for enhanced agronomic productivity and environmental performance, such as agroforestry systems (AFS). Given this, the objective of the study is to enumerate the major benefits and challenges in the adoption of AFS. AFS can improve agronomic productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, soil biodiversity, water retention, and pollination. Furthermore, they can reduce soil erosion and incidence of fire and provide recreational and cultural benefits. There are several challenges to the adoption and uptake of AFS in Europe, including high costs for implementation, lack of financial incentives, limited AFS product marketing, lack of education, awareness, and field demonstrations. Policies for financial incentives such as subsidies and payments for ecosystem services provided by AFS must be introduced or amended. Awareness of AFS products must be increased for consumers through appropriate marketing strategies, and landowners need more opportunities for education on how to successfully manage diverse, economically viable AFS. Finally, field-based evidence is required for informed decision-making by farmers, advisory services, and policy-making bodies.
Highlights
Soil degradation is the “decline in soil quality or its capacity to produce economic goods or provide ecosystem services” [1] (p. 709)
The land equivalent ratio (LER) of a combined food and energy (CFE) production system in Denmark ranged from 1.14–1.34 [17], indicating that crop and tree yields produced in agroforestry required 14–34% less land or fewer resources in terms of light, water, nutrients, compared to monoculture
Differences in soil biota diversity and abundance can be attributed partly to the increased plant diversity of agroforestry systems (AFS) compared to monocultures in conventional systems as plant diversity is positively linked to soil microbial diversity [65]
Summary
Soil degradation is the “decline in soil quality or its capacity to produce economic goods or provide ecosystem services” [1] (p. 709). Soil degradation is a concern in Europe as there is a need to maintain the multifunctional role of soils for primary productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient storage and regulation, water storage and cycling, and habitat for biodiversity [3]. Viz., food, fodder, fibre, and fuelwood production, AFS provide several other ecosystem services, including regulation of nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, habitat for biodiversity, erosion control, fire and flood control, and recreational and cultural services [11,12]. The objective of this study is to assess the beneficial effects of AFS on agronomic productivity, carbon sequestration, soil nutrient cycling, soil biodiversity, soil erosion and water retention, recreation and culture, fire and pollination, and to highlight the challenges faced in the adoption of AFS
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