Benefits of agroforestry and grass buffers in grazed pasture systems

Abstract

A groforestry is a land management practice in which trees and agricultural crops are grown simultaneously on the landscape for economic and environmental benefits. In watersheds where sediment and nutrient runoff is a challenge, agroforestry buffers can be established on the downslope edges of watersheds or on contours to trap sediments and nutrients by reducing runoff water velocity and increasing infiltration. These buffers are also grown on the edges of fields and along streambanks in riparian zones. In addition, agroforestry buffers can be used in grazing pasture management systems, especially in riparian zones to protect streambanks. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the influence of agroforestry and grass buffers on soil porosity and hydraulic properties in grazing pasture management systems at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center near New Franklin, Missouri. The buffers in this study were fenced to prevent cattle grazing. The study objective was to compare saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water retention, and soil porosity for areas managed under rotationally grazed pasture, continuously grazed pasture, agroforestry buffers, and grass buffers. Results showed that the pasture areas (rotationally grazed and continuously grazed) had lower porosity (10%) and lower saturated hydraulic conductivity (16.7 times) compared to buffer areas (agroforestry …