Agroforestry systems of high nature and cultural value in Europe: provision of commercial goods and other ecosystem services

Abstract

Land use systems that integrate woody vegetation with livestock and/or crops and are recognised for their biodiversity and cultural importance can be termed high nature and cultural value (HNCV) agroforestry. In this review, based on the literature and stakeholder knowledge, we describe the structure, components and management practices of ten contrasting HNCV agroforestry systems distributed across five European bioclimatic regions. We also compile and categorize the ecosystem services provided by these agroforestry systems, following the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services. HNCV agroforestry in Europe generally enhances biodiversity and regulating ecosystem services relative to conventional agriculture and forestry. These systems can reduce fire risk, compared to conventional forestry, and can increase carbon sequestration, moderate the microclimate, and reduce soil erosion and nutrient leaching compared to conventional agriculture. However, some of the evidence is location specific and a better geographical coverage is needed to generalize patterns at broader scales. Although some traditional practices and products have been abandoned, many of the studied systems continue to provide multiple woody and non

Habitat heterogeneity as a key to high conservation value in forest-grassland mosaics

“…Habitat heterogeneity and its conservation implications are relatively well studied in agricultural and agroforestry landscapes (e.g., Bennett et al, 2006;Benton et al, 2003;Jakobsson and Lindborg, 2015;Lee and Martin, 2017;Manning et al, 2006;Moreno et al, 2017;Plieninger et al, 2015;Stoate et al, 2001;Tscharntke et al, 2005). Unfortunately, the importance of habitat heterogeneity for conservation has received less attention in natural mosaics at the interfaces of tree-and grass-dominated biomes (cf.…”

Polyphenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of legume‐based swards are affected by light intensity in a Mediterranean agroforestry system

“…In Europe, traditional agroforestry systems with a high natural and cultural value have been re‐evaluated because of their important effects on ecosystem services and biodiversity . Agroforestry systems include Mediterranean grazed woodlands, which are dominated by oak species, such as in Iberian dehesas and montados and Sardinian agrosilvopastoral farms …”

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