Agroforestry: Complex Multistrata Agriculture

Schroth, Götz; Mota, Maria do Socorro Souza da

doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-52512-3.00030-9

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Farmers have ample knowledge on the products and services they obtain from a diverse, tree-shade canopy in the cocoa plantation (Silva et al, 2013;Ortiz-González, 2006). Shade trees: 1) modify the light regime (in both quality and quantity), air temperature, humidity and wind movement within the plantation, directly affecting photosynthesis, growth and yield of cocoa (de Almeida and Valle, 2007;Zuidema et al, 2005); 2) favour or hamper the population dynamics and incidence of pests and diseases (and of their natural enemies) that reduce yields of both cocoa and its companion species (Mortimer et al, 2017;Schroth and da Mota, 2014); and 3) produce significant quantities of organic matter, recycle nutrients and help to maintain the natural fertility of the site (Hartemink, 2005), a service that is of utmost importance since most cocoa plantations are not fertilized .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis and design of the shade canopy of cocoa-based agroforestry systems

Chávez¹,

Aguilar²,

Bustillos³

et al. 2018

Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cocoa-based agroforestry (AF) systems are a conspicuous element of agricultural landscapes worldwide. Shade canopy analysis and design is a key component of crop husbandry, and requires a good understanding of the interactions, synergies and trade-offs between shade, yield and environmental services. In this chapter we provide a guide and some principles to analyse and design an optimal shade canopy that provides a diverse, resilient AF system. We first review the different cocoa system typologies described in the literature, placing special emphasis on cocoa–timber systems. We present a guide for the analysis of the shade canopy of shaded cocoa systems, and then investigate the optimal design for cocoa shade canopies, with emphasis on the analysis of trade-offs and synergies between carbon storage and cocoa yields. Finally, we consider critical issues in applying AF science/knowledge to cocoa cultivation programmes.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis and design of the shade canopy of cocoa-based agroforestry systems

Chávez¹,

Aguilar²,

Bustillos³

et al. 2018

Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…At first sight, then, cocoa appears to be just one more commodity for which increasing global demand puts pressure on already embattled tropical forests. However, what cocoa has in common with few other tropical commodities is that it can be grown in forest-like systems (agroforests) where it forms the understorey below a canopy of companion trees (Schroth et al 2004b ; Schroth and da Mota 2014 ). These trees fulfill a range of functions including shading and microclimatic protection of young cocoa trees, but can also play productive roles (timber, fuelwood, fruits…), maintain soil fertility, store carbon, and host pollinators and predators of cocoa pests (Schroth and Harvey 2007 ; Tscharntke et al 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Commodity production as restoration driver in the Brazilian Amazon? Pasture re-agro-forestation with cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in southern Pará

Schroth¹,

Garcia

Griscom

et al. 2015

Sustain Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The increasing demand for agricultural commodities is a major cause of tropical deforestation. However, pressure is increasing for greater sustainability of commodity value chains. This includes the demand to establish new crop plantations and pasture areas on already deforested land so that new forest clearing for agriculture is minimized. Where tree crops are planted as part of agroforestry systems on deforested land, this amounts to a form of re-agro-forestation which can generate environmental benefits in addition to crop production. Here, we discuss a case where agroforestry systems based on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) are being established on crop and pasture land in the south of Pará state, Brazilian Amazon. The adoption of cocoa by farmers and ranchers of the region is stimulated by the coincidence of (1) favorable prospects for cocoa on the national and international markets including the expectation of a global cocoa supply gap; (2) environmental policies obliging land owners to reforest excess cleared land with native trees, with agroforests based on the native cocoa tree being an economically attractive option; and (3) biophysical conditions (especially soil fertility) favorable for growing cocoa in part of the region. We show that in the state of Pará at least 1.26 million hectares of naturally high-fertility soils in deforested areas outside legally protected and indigenous lands are potentially suitable for cocoa production with low agrochemical inputs, sufficient to make a significant contribution to closing the predicted supply gap. Their actual suitability depends on their state of degradation after years of pasture use and the availability of technologies and finance to convert them into tree crop agroforests. We discuss the significant environmental benefits of pasture re-agro-forestation with cocoabased systems, including reduced emissions of up to 135 Mg of carbon per hectare compared to the historically common scenario of planting cocoa after forest clearing. We identify important research questions related to the scaling up of this practice and the maximization of its environmental benefits. We conclude that the coincidence of the afore-mentioned factors could drive a re-agroforestation frontier in this part of the Amazon, with potential for positive outcomes in terms of commodity production while generating social and environmental benefits.

show abstract

“…Before the establishment of the CMAFS, the area was used for banana plantation and had a poor production of cassava in monoculture. Currently, the agroforestry is classified as complex multistrata agroforestry system (Schroth and do Socorro 2014). This CMAFS has three strata.…”

Section: The Complex Multistrata Agroforestry Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This type of system consists of the association of two or more plant strata (trees and shrubs), but it is mainly dominated by trees (for fruit, seeds and timber) with a high degree of structural complexity (Schroth and do Socorro 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of leaf litter and soil respiration in a complex multistrata agroforestry system, Pernambuco, Brazil

Costa

Araújo

Souza-Motta

et al. 2016

Environ Dev Sustain

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

High litter inputs in agroforestry systems contribute to soil microbial activity, soil fertility and productivity. Considering that the cycling of organic matter is essential to the maintenance of physical-chemical and microbiological properties of the soil, the aims of this work were to estimate the production, accumulation and decomposition of litter, and assess soil microbial respiration in a complex multistrata agroforestry system located in the north-east of Brazil. This agroforestry system has three strata formed by forest and fruit trees and species of multiple uses. During 3 years (2011-2013), leaf litter was sampled monthly to account for litterfall and quarterly to account for litter accumulation. The rates of litter decomposition were estimated using the ratio produced-to-accumulated litter, and the correlation between litter fall and rainfall was calculated. Precipitation data were provided by the water and climate agency of Pernambuco (APAC). Soil samples (0-15 cm) were also taken quarterly, simultaneously with the litter accumulation samples, and soil microbial respiration was assessed using the capture, by a KOH solution, of the evolved CO 2 . The annual production of leaf litter was stable in the 3 years of study in this agroforestry system, and the monthly input of litter to the soil was influenced by rainfall, being higher in the dry seasons. The accumulated litter on the ground was constant, as was microbial activity (respiration) through time. The estimated litter decomposition rates were 1.49 (first year), 1.33 (second year) and 1.42 (third year), being considered rapid rates of decomposition. This guarantees (to the farmer) that this system is capable of maintaining soil fertility and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers.

show abstract

Agroforestry: Complex Multistrata Agriculture

Cited by 19 publications

References 46 publications

Analysis and design of the shade canopy of cocoa-based agroforestry systems

Analysis and design of the shade canopy of cocoa-based agroforestry systems

Commodity production as restoration driver in the Brazilian Amazon? Pasture re-agro-forestation with cocoa (Theobroma cacao) in southern Pará

Dynamics of leaf litter and soil respiration in a complex multistrata agroforestry system, Pernambuco, Brazil

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About