Abstract Improving soil productivity in the Brazilian semi-arid region remains a major challenge. Integrated livestock–forest (ILF) systems represent a promising strategy for agricultural intensification with lower environmental impacts, as they enhance soil microbial functioning and support soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks accumulation. However, studies on how ILF systems affect soil biological properties and SOC dynamics in tropical semi-arid regions, particularly in the Caatinga biome, remain scarce. This study assessed soil microbiological properties in ILF systems established for six years in the Brazil’s semi-arid region. Four ILF systems were evaluated, each cultivated with sorghum (ILFSo), forage cactus (ILFFc), massai grass (ILFMg), and buffel grass (ILFBg), at spacings of 7 m (S7), 14 m (S14), and 28 m (S28) between strips of native trees. A native vegetation (NV) area served as a reference. Soil analyses included microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration, β-glucosidase activity, easily extractable glomalin (EEG), and SOC. ILFMg and ILFBg were the most effective systems for maintaining microbial biomass, activity, and SOC levels. ILFFc and ILFSo increased MBC but did not promote SOC accumulation. The spacing S7 resulted in the highest MBC, microbial quotient, and SOC, and the lowest metabolic quotient. ILFSo and NV showed the highest β-glucosidase activity at 0–10 cm, while ILFFc had the lowest. At 10–20 cm, β-glucosidase activity was greatest in ILFMg and ILFBg. EEG activity was similar among systems in the surface layer, whereas in the 10–20 cm layer the highest values occurred in ILFSo and ILFBg, and the lowest in ILFFc. Overall, ILF systems with grasses demonstrated superior soil microbiological activity and SOC accumulation, indicating that high-biomass forage crops should be prioritized in Brazil’s semi-arid region.

Abstract Stakeholders from six European pilot sites engaged in participatory mapping and land suitability assessments to co-design climate-smart strategies for sustainable land management. The mixed methodology applied combined GIS based landscape vulnerability analysis, stakeholder knowledge, and assessments of ecosystem services. Key phases included preliminary assessment of environmental pressures, participatory SWOT analysis, and collaborative mapping exercises to identify suitable mixed farming (MF) and agroforestry (AF) practices. This approach empowered local communities, enhanced knowledge exchange, and integrated socio-ecological dimensions into land-use planning. Participatory mapping proved effective in capturing spatial perceptions, guiding context-specific transitions, and building consensus on landscape-scale interventions. Based on environmental pressure indicators, the scaling-up analysis showed that, depending on local conditions, the proportion of areas suitable for MF and AF ranged from 2 to 61% of the total area analysed across the six pilot sites. All the stakeholders agreed on the introduction of MF and AF and expressed differing views on their potential to reduce the environmental pressures of agricultural practices and enhance ecosystem services. Practitioners, such as farmers and advisors, emphasised the need for greater knowledge and stronger policy support to implement the transition toward more agroecological farming systems. While results highlight the large potential for MF and AF (up to 61% of the land use, in certain cases), it also showed the importance of participatory tools in bridging scientific research and practice, reinforcing the role of stakeholder engagement in designing resilient and multifunctional agricultural systems. While this might help to bridge the gap between planning and the implementation of agroecological practices across diverse European contexts, further research on the implementations and the socio-economic assessment of MF and AF at landscape scale is needed. Graphical abstract

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of supplements containing varying levels of physically effective fiber (peNDF) on the performance, carcass traits, tissue composition of commercial cuts, and physicochemical characteristics of meat from goats finished on tropical agroforestry enriched with Cenchrus ciliaris . Twenty-four F1 crossbred goats (Boer × Creole) with average initial weight: 19.5 ± 1.6 kg were assigned to a completely randomized design with four peNDF levels (19.9%, 23.2%, 26.7%, and 30% of dry matter) and six replicates. The supplement consisted of soybean meal, corn meal, wheat bran, mineral premix, and Sida cordifolia hay. Increasing peNDF levels led to a linear reduction ( p < 0.05) in total dry matter intake (DMI), and body weight, without affecting supplement DMI. Conversely, neutral and acid detergent fiber intake increased linearly ( p < 0.05) with higher peNDF levels. Crude protein intake and DM digestibility remained unaffected. Total gain and average daily gain declined linearly with increasing peNDF, although final body weight and feed efficiency were not influenced. Carcass weight variables showed no significant differences; however, hot and cold carcass yields decreased linearly ( p < 0.01) as peNDF increased. Only rumen yield was affected among visceral organs, increasing linearly ( p = 0.012). Of the commercial cuts, only the loin showed reduced weight with higher peNDF ( p = 0.018). Shoulder and leg yields (%carcass) increased linearly, while fat deposition in the shoulder, ribs, and loin declined. In conclusion, the optimal use of physically effective fiber (peNDF) from tropical forages enhances the utilization of Caatinga resources and can reduce the need for concentrated feeds. Moderate inclusion levels (≤ 23%) may support rumen development and maintain animal performance, whereas higher levels might impair finishing efficiency due to reduced energy availability and fat deposition.

Abstract Agroforestry systems (AFSs) are often considered a means to reconcile agricultural production with biodiversity conservation, yet the alignment between scientific research and practice remains poorly understood. In Brazil, a country with widespread AFS adoption, we conducted a systematic review of 631 publications (1982–2019) and integrated them with national Agricultural Census data to map the landscape of AFS research and implementation. Our analysis shows that while scientific output has accelerated, research efforts are geographically concentrated in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon biomes, leaving other major ecosystems like the Cerrado and Caatinga under-represented. A marked discrepancy was observed in the Northeast region, which hosts two-thirds of Brazil's AFS establishments but receives disproportionately low research attention. While simple, production-oriented AFSs were more frequently studied, biodiverse systems, particularly those with very high species richness, showed a clear association with family farming and traditional knowledge. Furthermore, regression models indicated that AFS prevalence is negatively associated with market-oriented production (commercialization), a finding consistent with their role in food sovereignty. These results point to persistent regional imbalances in the research agenda and suggest the need to strengthen knowledge production in underrepresented areas to better reflect the range of AFS practices in the country.