Agroforest System Research Articles

The perspective of agroforest systems as an alternative to environmental degradation in Mexico

Some agricultural activities contribute to the deterioration of natural resources, soactions must be taken to conserve them. Agroforestry practices allow the regulationof agricultural activities and contribute to the conservation of natural resources, andalso mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases. The objective of the work was todocument information regarding Agroforestry Systems (SAF) as a viable alternativeto address environmental degradation in Mexico. A search was carried out forscientific articles, technical notes, dissemination documents, technical evaluationreports and books, through scientific search engines. The most used agroforestrysystems in Mexico are simultaneous and live fences. The establishment of anagroforestry system depends on the ecological characteristics and the needs ofproducers in each region. However, the adoption of these systems provides social,economic and environmental benefits. Today's society requires ecosystem goods andservices to survive, which is why agroforestry systems should be considered as analternative to restore degraded areas and always maintain soil coverage andproductivity in different regional environments of the country.

The perspective of agroforest systems as an alternative to environmental degradation in Mexico

Some agricultural activities contribute to the deterioration of natural resources, soactions must be taken to conserve them. Agroforestry practices allow the regulationof agricultural activities and contribute to the conservation of natural resources, andalso mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases. The objective of the work was todocument information regarding Agroforestry Systems (SAF) as a viable alternativeto address environmental degradation in Mexico. A search was carried out forscientific articles, technical notes, dissemination documents, technical evaluationreports and books, through scientific search engines. The most used agroforestrysystems in Mexico are simultaneous and live fences. The establishment of anagroforestry system depends on the ecological characteristics and the needs ofproducers in each region. However, the adoption of these systems provides social,economic and environmental benefits. Today's society requires ecosystem goods andservices to survive, which is why agroforestry systems should be considered as analternative to restore degraded areas and always maintain soil coverage andproductivity in different regional environments of the country.

Development of tree species in an agroforest system in Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Central Brazil

As the arrangement of the species is fundamentally important to guarantee the effectiveness of agroforestry systems, it is important to test different combinations of species with varying levels of economic potential. The study was based on the analysis of the initial development of an agroforestry system formed by native tree species and other plants of economic interest, intercropped with green manure species under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Nova Xavantina in Mato Grosso, central Brazil. The study was conducted in an experimental plot on the Nova Xavantina campus of Mato Grosso State University. The plot was arranged in randomized blocks, in a simple agroforestry system of the alley type, with the plants arranged in rows, in a 4x2 factorial design (four fruit species x two legumes). The fruiting species included five trees – Bixa orellana, Spondias lutea, Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Rich, Pouteria ramiflora, and Theobroma grandiflorum, and the banana, Musa sp. (the “BRS Princesa” cultivar). Two combinations of legume species were tested – (i) Cajanus cajan and Vigna unguiculata,and (ii) Mucuna aterrima and Canavalia ensiformis. Tree growth was assessed based on four phytometric parameters – plant height, stem diameter, the number of leaves, and percentage survival, while for Musa, the parameters were height and pseudostem circumference, and the number of active leaves and shoots. Bixa orellana and S. lutea were the species best adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions found in the experimental plot, with all (100%) of the Bixa plants surviving throughout the study, and a survival rate of over 70% in S. lutea.

The Effect of AMF-Cacao Association on Varying Physicochemical, Nutrient, and Biological Soil Parameters in an Agroforest System

The increasing interest in sustainable methods in agroforestry directs the attention of many to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for their role in maintaining or improving overall plant health and nutrition of many plants including cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) trees. The effects of different treatments of AMF and other soil amendments applied singly or in combination on physicochemical properties, nutrient levels, spore count, and rhizosphere microbial counts, were investigated and compared across different sampling periods of varying climatological conditions in an agroforest system. Results showed that there was a significant effect on the N content using the different treatments. The treatment using AMF from MR (MYKORICH) alone has the highest N level (%) (0.587 ± 0.024, p < 0.001). Levels of P (ppm) and K (cmolc/kg) and soil physicochemical properties were not significantly affected by AMF applications. N levels were highest in January (1.772 ± 0.018, p = 0.004) which was the same month recorded with the lowest P content (0.0163 ± 2.228, p < 0.0001). Soil physicochemical properties did not significantly vary between sampling periods except for organic matter (OM) which was highest in October (2.883 ± 0.151, p = < 0.001), and with water-holding capacity (WHC) in March (80.429 ± 1.775, p < 0.001). Mycorrhizal spore counts were significantly higher in treatments with AMF (p > 0.0001) and between the sampling months (p < 0.0001). Results showed that the effect of season on spore count was not the same for each of the treatments used and vice versa (p = 0.001). Microbial counts on nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria showed no variability between treatments (p = 0.134). These findings guide cacao farmers in directing future interventions for improving soil conditions and yield in cacao agroforests.

Comparative Study between Silvopastoral and Agroforest Systems on Soil Quality in a Disturbed Native Forest of South-Central Chile

Agroforestry systems (AFSs) have gained recognition as a land use strategy to address food security and climate change. They involve intentionally cultivating trees alongside crops and/or animals. AFSs cover approximately 5% of the global forest area and promote sustainable soil conservation, including soil organic carbon (C) sequestration (CSEQ). In some areas of Chile, AFSs are used to preserve the ecological value of native forests. This study evaluates the effects of two AFSs, namely, an agroforest for fodder production (AGROFRST) and Silvopastoral (SPS), within a degraded native forest (Nothofagus obliqua sp.). The evaluation focuses on their impact on CSEQ capacity and soil quality (SQ), using soil quality indexes (SQIs) derived from 30 soil quality indicators (SINDs) related to physical, chemical, and microbiological properties at two depths (0–5 and 5–20 cm). The results for the total depth analyzed (0–20 cm) indicate an average CSEQ of 6.88 and 4.83 Mg C yr−1 and a global SQI of 37.8% and 31.0% for AGROFRST and SPS, respectively. Among the thirteen SINDs that demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.05), five were associated with the considered depths (P+, Ca2+, S, ECEC, and AlSAT), three differed between AGROFRST and SPS (BD, NH4+, NO3−), while SOC, K+, and Mg2+ varied across all conditions (e.g., combinations of systems and depths), and β-GLU and NMIN differed in a single condition. However, almost all 30 SINDs analyzed showed higher values at the 0–5 cm depth, indicating the positive effects of soil organic matter (SOM)/SOC additions. Significant interactions (Pearson’s correlation) revealed that SOC correlated with most SINDs (e.g., N, NH4+, P+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, S, ECEC, NMIN). These findings suggest that both AGROFRST and SPS systems have similar capabilities in restoring the ecological value of native Nothofagus forests while providing conditions for productive and complementary use. This sustainable option offers opportunities for cattle production alongside ecological restoration efforts and provides a possible strategy to generate public policies related to the ecosystem services of agroforestry systems.

Agroecology as a means to improve energy metabolism and economic management in smallholder cocoa farmers in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Cocoa is one of the most important crops in Ecuador, especially in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where >60,000 ha are dedicated to cocoa; 48,600 ha in production in 2021. Most of the cocoa area (82 %) is managed by smallholders with <10 ha under cultivation. Despite the socioeconomic and environmental importance of these systems, there are no previous studies that provide an integrated view of the energy metabolism and economic viability of different smallholder management styles. Consequently, the objective of this work is twofold: a) to estimate the aggregate energy and economic metabolism of small cocoa producers (< 10 ha) in the Ecuadorian Amazon and b) to investigate the existing differences in the technical-economic management styles of the crop. To this end, primary data were collected from a statistically representative sample of cocoa-growing areas distributed among 279 producers in 86 communities in the region, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and a cost-benefit analysis associated with management. Our data show that most smallholder farmers produce cocoa in low-input diversified agroforest system with a high share of unpaid family labor. At the Amazon level, smallholder farmers (< 10 ha) produced 16.9 million tons of food for the market with a non-renewable cumulative energy demand (NR CED) of 53.8 TJ (1343 MJ/ha), a carbon footprint (CF) of 8.16 Mt. CO2-eq. (203.9 kg CO2-eq/ha), and a net margin of 19.07 million $ (476.8 $/ha). On average, cocoa yields were estimated at 288 kg/ha, resulting in a NR CED and carbon footprint (CF) per kg of cocoa of 4.18 MJ and 0.98 kg CO2-eq. Despite its apparent homogeneity, three distinct styles of crop management were identified by a cluster analysis. The results suggest that farms with good organic/agroecological management can have a similar income generating capacity to the more intensive conventional farms evaluated, but with better environmental outcomes. Consequently, the paper finally discusses the need to promote public actions and policies that allow for the scaling up and improvement of successful agroecological management in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Biomass Production and Carbon Stocks in Poplar-Crop Agroforestry Chronosequence in Subtropical Central China.

Agroforest systems have been widely recognized as an integrated approach to sustainable land use for addressing the climate change problem because of their greater potential to sequester atmospheric CO2 with multiple economic and ecological benefits. However, the nature and extent of the effects of an age-sequence of agroforestry systems on carbon (C) storage remain largely unknown. To reveal the influence of different aged poplar-crop systems on C stocks, we investigated the variation in biomass and C storage under four aged poplar-crop agroforest systems (3-, 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old) in the Henan province of China. The results showed that stand biomass increased with forest age, ranging from 26.9 to 121.6 t/ha in the corresponding four aged poplar-crop systems. The poplar tree biomass accounted for >80% of the total stand biomass in these poplar-crop agroforestry systems, except in the 3-year-old agroforestry system. The average stand productivity peaked in a 9-year-old poplar-crop system (11.8 t/ha/yr), the next was in 13- and 17-year-old agroforestry systems, and the minimum was found in 3-year-old poplar-crop stands (4.8 t/ha/yr). The total C stocks increased, with aging poplar-crop systems ranging from 99.7 to 189.2 t/ha in the studied agroforestry systems. The proportion of C stocks accounted for about 6, 25, and 69% of the total C stocks in the crop, poplar tree, and soil components in all studied agroforestry ecosystems, respectively. Our results suggested that the poplar-crop system, especially in productive and mature stages, is quite an effective agroforestry model to increase the study site's biomass production and C stocks. This study highlighted the importance of agroforestry systems in C storage. It recommended the poplar-crop agroforest ecosystems as a viable option for sustainable production and C mitigation in the central region of China.

Empowering Amazonian Communities: The Importance of Participatory Planning and Local Knowledge in Agroforest Systems

Agroforestry systems (AFS) represent an alternative production method for family farmers, allowing for the optimization of land use through product diversity and income generation. Considering that the socioeconomic condition of floodplain communities is based on extractive economies and that the implementation of intercropped crops should be done in a participatory and constructive manner, this work aims to report an experience emphasizing the steps and main tools adopted in the planning and establishment of an AFS. The fieldwork was conducted in the community of Ipaupixuna, in the floodplain region of Lake Maic´ a, municipality of Santar´em, Par´ a, Brazil. The actions of this work were concentrated between February and October 2019, as part of the research project ”Floodplains and Riverbanks of the Lower Amazon.” The main tools used in this work were a systemic approach with the community of Ipaupixuna, which sought to understand the environment and its interactions, through various stages such as mapping, workshops, interviews, planning, area preparation, and logistical organization for implementation. The actions and results of the project showed that participatory planning and community knowledge are crucial for the successful establishment of an AFS in communities. It was concluded that the community embraced the intercropping project and showed interest and collaboration in the activities carried out. This work reinforces the need to consider resources and tools for the necessary mapping and development of appropriate agroforestry designs for producers in similar initiatives.

Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala

The tree composition in cocoa agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Guatemala is valued for providing a number of ecosystem services. Despite the importance of the trees in these systems, little is known about the tree species richness and its contribution to the conservation of diversity. We studied the botanical composition of CAFS of different ages in the Alta Verapaz department of Guatemala. In total, 70 survey plots with a size of 2500 m2 were established. An inventory was carried out in each sampling unit, recording the tree species present and measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH 1.30 m) and the height of each tree. The Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated and species richness and the similarity between sites were evaluated. A total of 2519 trees, belonging to 59 species and 34 families were identified. The species with the highest IVI was Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. The CAFSs with the highest and lowest species richness were those of 9-12 and 27 years old, respectively (H´=1.99, H´=0.34). This behavior can be explained by the fact that growers work to enrich the agroforestry systems with a broad diversity of species in the first years which they then begin to harvest at around 16 years of age. A discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and the Jaccard Similarity Index were used to show that several AFS were similar in terms of composition and botanical diversity. Given the tree diversity within the CAFS, these can be acknowledged as areas with good potential for the conservation of overall biodiversity. We recommend education programs for local growers about the benefits of shade management during the production cycle of cocoa to preserve the botanical composition and structural complexity of the AFS.

The importance of shade trees in promoting carbon storage in the coffee agroforest systems

Mitigation of CO2 atmospheric emission rates is partially accomplished through carbon storage in ecosystems, including agricultural systems. In particular, agroforestry systems have been cited as important current and potentially future depositories for carbon. Coffee is produced on substantial areas of tropical lands, traditionally incorporating shade trees as part of the system, but recently having seen much conversion to so-called sun coffee, largely absent of shade trees. Taking the coffee production region of Puerto Rico as a case study, we estimated carbon (C) stock on 68 coffee farms in the Cordillera Central region of Puerto Rico. Total farm carbon was determined by combining carbon content in the soil, shade trees and the main crops (coffee, plantain and citrus). We note that 38 of the farms used in this study incorporated shade trees, 30 did not. Farms that included shade trees had larger overall pools of C, with shade trees accounting for almost all the variability in C storage, as the other pools of carbon measured in this study were relatively constant from farm to farm. This case study demonstrates that adopting agroforestry practices on coffee farms (i.e., maintaining and incorporating shade and fruit trees) could contribute to the reduction of the world’s carbon footprint, given the importance and extent of this agroecosystem type.

Aromatic Plants and Their Associated Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Outcompete Tuber melanosporum in Compatibility Assays with Truffle-Oaks.

The high value of black truffle recompenses the slow growth of the fungus when established in the field. Adding a secondary crop, such as medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), could further enhance the sustainability of truffle production agro-forest systems. The dual cultures of ectomycorrhizal truffle-oak seedlings and MAPs (lavender, thyme, and sage) previously inoculated and non-inoculated with native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), were established to evaluate plant-fungi relationships. After 12 months in a shadehouse, plants' growth, mycorrhizal colonization, and extraradical soil mycelium (both of Tuber melanosporum and AMF) were measured. Overall, truffle-oaks' growth was negatively affected by the presence of MAPs, especially when inoculated with AMF. In turn, the presence of truffle-oaks barely affected the co-cultured MAPs, and only lavenders showed a significant growth reduction. All AMF-inoculated MAPs showed higher shoot and root biomass than non-inoculated ones. Compared to truffle-oaks growing alone, the presence of co-cultured MAPs, especially when they were AMF-inoculated, significantly decreased both the ectomycorrhizas and soil mycelium of T. melanosporum. These results reveal the strong competition between AMF and T. melanosporum and warn about the need for the protection of intercropping plants and their associated symbiotic fungi to avoid reciprocal counterproductive effects in mixed truffle-oak-AMF-MAP plantations.

Land Planning, Agro-forest Systems, and Implications for Ecosystem Services: Insights from Northern Italy

Negative environmental changes generally addressed as ‘syndromes’ areevaluated in the context of Soil Degradation (SD) and interpreted by usinga ‘Land-Use/Land Cover Changes’ (LULCCs) framework in order to dis-entangle ‘past trajectories’, ‘present patterns’, and ‘future changes’. Thisapproach allows to discuss the potential impact on SD processes and itrepresents an informed basis for identifying measurable outcomes of SD.This study focuses on the case of Emilia Romagna, a region located inthe North of Italy with high-value added agricultural productions. A multi-temporal analysis of land-use changes between 1954 and 2008 has been proposed, discussing the evolution of associated SD syndromes in EmiliaRomagna. The contributing information have been used as a baseline forSustainable Land Management (SLM) strategies. This framework of analysisprovides useful tools to investigate and to monitor the effects of SD in theMediterranean basin where several regions underwent common developmentpatterns yelding global pathological symptoms of environmental degradation.

Soil weed seedbank under different cropping systems of middle Indo-Gangetic Plains

Trees on agricultural fields can have a positive or negative impact on weed seedbank (WSB) due to diverse environmental and soil characteristics. Therefore, soil samples were drawn in six cropping systems [two agroforest systems (AFS): guava, mango; three horticulture systems (HCS): guava, mango, Indian gooseberry; and annual crop system (ACS)] at two landscape positions (lowland and upland) and two soil depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) using factorial randomised block design each replicated three times. Results showed that guava-AFS had the highest WSB of different categories in general and individual weed species in particular, except for Eragrostis pilosa and Dactyloctenium aegyptium. Simultaneously, guava-AFS also showed the maximum Shannon-Weaver, species richness and Simpson index and was low in Whittaker statistics (βW). The species evenness varied non-significantly with the cropping systems. Similarly, the landscape position had no discernible effect on any weed diversity indices; however lowland landscape position was dominated by Cyperus spp. and E. pilosa, while the upland by Phyllanthus niruri. Furthermore, with the exception of βW, the WSB and diversity indices were found to be higher on the topsoil (0–15 cm). Our study establishes that the AFS system in the semi-arid sub-tropics has a more diverse WSB indicating a healthy system, as opposed to HCS, which has a dominance of certain weed species, opening the door for more severe infestation of invasive weed species.

Indigenous agriculture at the beginning of the twenty-first century: the Guaraní Mbyás minority conserves ethnoknowledge and agrobiodiversity within the remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Swidden agricultural practices reflect a great deal of Indigenous and traditional ethnobotanical knowledge; however, such system and livelihoods are in decline worldwide and tend to disappear. This study aimed to survey the main characteristics of land use and agrobiodiversity of the swidden culture practiced by the Guaraní, in Serra do Mar (São Paulo state, Southeast Brazil). We likewise studied the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the Guaraní, focusing specifically on their ethnobotanical knowledge, to help conserve traditional agricultural practices in the deep tropics. A total of eighteen ethnobotanical surveys were carried out on 18 production units (10 × 10 m) in the cultivation phase after combustion took place. All species of agricultural use were indicated by the smallholders and identified to species level. Semi-structured interviews based on the design and diagnosis method World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) were carried out in either Portuguese or the native language with 48 smallholders in the village. Main topics discussed were the history of each sampled plot, socio-economic aspects of the production units, aspects of agricultural management to characterize the level of intensification, and forms of managing vegetation and criteria for making decisions about the maintenance of wild species in the agricultural plots. The ethnobotanical survey showed 65 varieties of plants for agricultural use, totaling 39 species, they are used for cultural-ritualistic, ecological, food, economic, medicinal, and ornamental aspects. Main crops found were corn (Zea mays), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Fire is vital for Guarani’s agricultural practices. Fields are small and occupy just 0.25% of the indigenous land. The Guaraní’s traditional agroforest systems are independent of external inputs and are important for conservation of seeds and agrobiodiversity. There are three factors that maintain the dynamics of Guarani’s agricultural systems, namely: religiosity, the network of kinships and the existence of legal owned territories. Swidden and slash and mulch systems are part of the maintenance of the cultural autonomy of the Guaraní, providing them with a way to obtain financial and food resources directly and indirectly from the biome in a sustainable way. Hence, protecting this ethnoecology guarantees the cultural, physical, and social existence of the Guaraní and likewise helps to conserve the remnants of the Atlantic Forest hotspot.

Pekarangan Model for Supporting Food Resiliency on Household Level in Transmigration Area, East Lampung

Pekarangan as one of the potential natural resources and closest to the family can be the right and strategic choice to be used in realizing family-scale food resiliency. The research was conducted in Transmigration area of ​​East Lampung from June 2021 to December 2021. The determination of the pekarangan sample by purposive sampling was carried out on four transmigration ethnics, i.e., the Javanese (100 samples), the Sundanese (100 samples), the Balinese (100 samples) , and the Madurese (13 population), as well as local transmigration, i.e., the Lampungnese (100 samples). Pekarangan model is determined from species diversities on agroforestry system and its plant multistorey condition. The results of identification found three agroforestry systems as a pekarangan model, i.e., the agroforest system (Maduranese pekarangan), agrosilvopastoral (Balinese, Javanese, and Lampungnese pekarangans), and agrosilvopastoralfishery (Sundanese pekarangan). Each agroforestry system contributed to food sources by 54.54% (agroforest), 46.15% to 65.51% (agrosilvopastoral), and 89.28% (agrosilvopastoralfishery).

Tree diversity and shade rate in complex cocoa-based agroforests affect citrus foot rot disease

The role of agroforest systems in pathogen regulation through structural characteristics such as shade and tree diversity is recognized. However, few studies have examined the importance of these factors on the spread of diseases of associated fruit trees in agroforestry systems, especially cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CBAS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of associated tree diversity and shade rate into CBAS on citrus Phytophthora foot rot disease (PFRD) intensity. The study was carried out in five citrus production basins of Cameroon, contrasted by ecology and rainfall regimes. A set of 33 CBAS plots was mapped and their species composition and vertical structure were determined. Field data were used to reconstruct CBAS in 3D with Shademotion 5.1.47 software. Using static simulations with shadow overlays, shade rate received by each citrus tree was calculated. Subsequently, citrus trees were grouped into three categories according to the shade rate they received: (i) full sun, with shade rate <30%; (ii) light shade with shade rate 30–70% and, (iii) dense shade, with shade rate >70%. PFRD intensity was determined by measuring the canker extent relatively to the citrus crown circumference. A significant difference in PFRD intensity was observed between the different shade rates. Citrus trees receiving no shade were significantly more attacked by PFRD than those receiving little shade or dense shade. The antagonistic effect of shade was demonstrated. At the expense of factors related to the specific composition of the CBAS, shade, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were found to be the main factors explaining PFRD intensity in CBAS. This study shows that microclimatic alterations due to the biodiversity in tropical agroforestry systems contribute to sustainable pest management.

Deep Soil Water Content and Forage Production in a Tropical Agroforestry System

Agroforestry systems integrating tree and forage growth are important for maintaining soil health but may change the soil’s physical-hydric properties. Our goal was to investigate the impact of introducing Eucalyptus trees into a pasture on the soil water content throughout the soil profile. The study was conducted in a 6-year-old agroforestry system where two species of Eucalyptus were introduced into a palisade grass pasture. Soil moisture was sampled at 0.0 (planting row), 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 m (midpoint between tree rows) from the Eucalyptus tree rows. A monoculture palisade grass pasture was used as a control. The soil water content down to a depth of 50 cm was lowest in the tree row and increased with distance from the trees. In the Eucalyptus row, the soil water content in the 0–50 cm layer was lower than in the monoculture pasture. Agroforestry systems decreased the water content in the superficial layers of the soil in the rainy months; in the dry season, the soil water contents in all layers were similar between the Eucalyptus inter-rows. In most seasons, the agroforest systems reduced the forage production close to the Eucalyptus tree rows, up to 2 m from the trees, likely due to the soil water content decrease. Overall, this study showed that in tropical regions with sandy soils, the grass and trees’ competition must be considered when establishing integrated agroforestry systems in order to maximize the advantages and benefits of the diversified agroecosystem.

Agro-Fruit-Forest Systems Based on Argan Tree in Morocco: A Review of Recent Results.

The argan tree, Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, is a horticultural forestry species characterized by its endemicity and adaptation to arid and semi-arid zones in the southwest of Morocco. Despite its limited geographical distribution, argan tree presents large genetic diversity, suggesting that improvement of argan is possible. This species plays important ecological, and socioeconomic roles in the sustainable development of the country. The integration of arganiculture into Moroccan agricultural policy has been implemented through a sector strategy, which is fully aligned with the conservation and regeneration of argan forest. A. spinosa is suitable for incorporation into different agroforestry productive systems under agro-fruit-forest model and its domestication will provide a powerful means of socio-economic and environmental management. Here, we provide an overview of the argan tree literature and highlight the specific aspects of argan stands, as agro-forest systems, with the aim of developing an adequate strategy of conservation and domestication of this species. We introduce promising programs and projects for argan plantations and arganiculture, which have been adopted to relieve anthropogenic pressure on the natural argan forest.

Forest Transition and Metropolitan Transformations in Developed Countries: Interpreting Apparent and Latent Dynamics with Local Regression Models

Metropolitan fringes in Southern Europe preserve, under different territorial contexts, natural habitats, relict woodlands, and mixed agro-forest systems acting as a sink of biodiversity and ecosystem services in ecologically vulnerable landscapes. Clarifying territorial and socioeconomic processes that underlie land-use change in metropolitan regions is relevant for forest conservation policies. At the same time, long-term dynamics of fringe forests in the northern Mediterranean basin have been demonstrated to be rather mixed, with deforestation up to the 1950s and a subsequent recovery more evident in recent decades. The present study makes use of Forest Transition Theory (FTT) to examine spatial processes of forest loss and expansion in metropolitan Rome, Central Italy, through local regressions elaborating two diachronic land-use maps that span more than 80 years (1936–2018) representative of different socioeconomic and ecological conditions. Our study evaluates the turnaround from net forest area loss to net forest area gain, considering together the predictions of the FTT and those of the City Life Cycle (CLC) theory that provides a classical description of the functioning of metropolitan cycles. The empirical findings of our study document a moderate increase in forest cover depending on the forestation of previously abandoned cropland as a consequence of tighter levels of land protection. Natural and human-driven expansion of small and isolated forest nuclei along fringe land was demonstrated to fuel a polycentric expansion of woodlands. The results of a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) reveal the importance of metropolitan growth in long-term forest expansion. Forest–urban dynamics reflect together settlement sprawl and increased forest disturbance. The contemporary expansion of fringe residential settlements and peri-urban forests into relict agricultural landscapes claims for a renewed land management that may reconnect town planning, reducing the intrinsic risks associated with fringe woodlands (e.g., wildfires) with environmental policies preserving the ecological functionality of diversified agro-forest systems.

Vegetation diversity of Hevea brasiliensis agroforest system in Tumbang Mantuhe Village, Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

A rubber agroforest system is a form of land use that considers ecological and economic aspects that are still maintained by the people of Tumbang Mantuhe Village. This study aims to identify and analyze the diversity of vegetation in the agroforest system in Tumbang Mantuhe Village, Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan. This research uses purposive sampling and the vegetation analysis method. The results showed that the species of vegetation in the rubber agroforest system amounted to 29 species in 23 families. At the seedling level, it is dominated by Macaranga sp. and Xylopia ferruginea; the sapling level is dominated by H. brasiliensis and Syzygium tawahense; the pole level is dominated by Deplanchea bancana and Xylopia ferruginea; at the tree, the level is dominated by H. brasiliensis and Lithocarpus sp. At the seedling, sapling, pole, and tree levels, the diversity values were moderate and the species richness values were moderate to high, and the species distribution was even (stable). The H. brasiliensis agroforest system with various trees in it is a characteristic of local wisdom that the people of Tumbang Mantuhe Village have applied from generation to generation, which provides a balance between ecology and economy.