Abstract
Successional agroforestry systems (SAFS) mimic the structure of natural forests while providing economical outputs. This study clarifies how carbon cycling and carbon sequestration change during successional development of SAFS. In Brazil, three successional stages of SAFS, 6, 12, and 34 years old, were compared in terms of carbon balance. Aboveground biomass, fruit harvest, litterfall, soil respiration, and soil organic carbon were measured for two years and analyzed. Carbon sequestration expressed by net primary productivity increased with age of SAFS from 9.8 Mg·C·ha−1·year−1 in 6-year-old system to 13.5 Mg·C·ha−1·year−1 in 34-year-old system. Accumulation of plant biomass and increased internal carbon cycling in SAFS led to an intensive sequestration of carbon. SAFS can be a sustainable way of agricultural production on vulnerable tropical soils.
Highlights
Tropical soils are often highly weathered and tend to have low fertility [1]
The rainy season starts in November and continues to June, while the dry season starts in July and ends in October
We found that C cycling increased in Successional agroforestry systems (SAFS) with age because of two main reasons
Summary
Tropical soils are often highly weathered and tend to have low fertility [1]. Transformation of forests into farmlands leads to exposure of the vulnerable soil, making it prone to erosion that can lead up to desertification [2]. Agricultural systems that protect the soil and prevent its degradation are highly required, especially for tropical soils. Successional agroforestry systems (SAFS) are a promising strategy for more sustainable food production in the tropics [3]. SAFS seek to mimic the diverse structure of natural forests and at the same time produce marketable products. In comparison with other agroforestry systems, SAFS strive to create food producing systems in advanced stages of succession, managing subclimax or climax plant communities where high niche variability results in high biodiversity and efficient use of resources [4]
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