Conservation agriculture and ecosystem services: An overview

Palm, Cheryl; Blanco‐Canqui, Humberto; DeClerck, Fabrice; Gatere, Lydiah; Grace, Peter R.

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2013.10.010

Cited by 730 publications

(485 citation statements)

References 177 publications

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“…However the quality supplied by pruning, litter and fallen debris may not be enough to satisfy the nutrient demand or to restore the site quality (Palm et al, 2014). Moreover, Tabebuia rosea, Cedrela odorata and Swietenia macrophylla have shown low litter production and slower decomposition than other tropical species due to their high lignin content, while Cordia alliodora has intermediate decomposition rate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Agroecosystem Structure and Function Along a Chronosequence of Taungya System in Chiapas, Mexico

Pinto¹,

Armijo-Florentino²

2014

JAS

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The shifting cultivation system was widely used in the past; however in recent times it is no longer sustainable. In Mexico, a group of Mayan farmers established Taungya system (Ixim'te) as alternative to shifting cultivation. The system consists of the rotational association of crops with cultivated and spontaneous timber trees. The aim was to evaluate the changes in ecological structure and functions, and economic value along a chronosequence of 2 to 13 years. Twenty farmer's plots were selected. In each plot, structure, function and economic indicators were evaluated. Along the chronosequence cultivated trees (Cedrela odorata, Swietenia macrophyla, Tabebuia rosea, Cordia alliodora and Enterolobium cyclocarpum) mixed with crops and spontaneous trees, forming a sort of diverse garden containing 75 plant species. Tree diameter, tree height, total biomass, carbon stock, timber volume, timber value and present value significantly increased along the chronosequence. Two harvests of maize and beans were obtained yearly. According to interviews in the early years maize and beans yielded about 2400 kg and 600 kg ha -1 , respectively, maize was reduced with each crop cycle at a rate of approximately 280 kg ha -1 yr -1 , no reductions for bean yield were reported. The number of woody species per 500 m 2 -sampling area showed a minimum of 4 species on the first years and a maximum of 34 species on the last years. At years 11-13 carbon aboveground stock averaged 45.4 Mg C ha -1 and stored 3.9 Mg C ha -1 Year -1 . The timber volume reached 110.7 m 3 ha -1 ; the timber value was estimated in 4261.7 USD ha -1 and the present value in 5665.7 USD ha -1. Most of the plots presented low levels of soil nitrogen and phosphorus. The studied system increased in complexity, productivity, carbon stocks, and economic value. However, this system may require inputs in organic matter in order to restore soil nitrogen and phosphorus.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Agroecosystem Structure and Function Along a Chronosequence of Taungya System in Chiapas, Mexico

Pinto¹,

Armijo-Florentino²

2014

JAS

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“…Significant rates of C sequestration have been reported in different dryland cropping systems when using no-tillage. However, the general hypothesis that no-till is always followed by SOC sequestration is still controversial since in most of the studies comparing the effects of different tillage systems on soil C, only the surface soil (0-30-cm depth) has been taken into account (Govaerts et al 2009;Palm et al 2013). Furthermore, attention has to be paid to a possible increase in the emission of N 2 O when using low-intensity soil management systems, as a result of the greater amount of water stored in the soil.…”

Section: Adoption Of More Efficient Water Management Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon management in dryland agricultural systems. A review

Plaza‐Bonilla¹,

Arrúe

Cantero‐Martínez

et al. 2015

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

131

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“…Extensive research has been conducted into the broader frameworks of integrated soil fertility management [130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137], conservation agriculture [138][139][140][141][142][143], erosion control [144][145][146][147][148], and improved grazing management [149][150][151]. There is also a wealth of information on the benefits of specific practices such as short legume rotations (improved fallows) [152][153][154][155][156][157][158], agroforestry systems [159][160][161][162][163][164][165], and no-till systems [166][167][168][169][170].…”

Section: Positive Trajectories and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The primary cause of soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is expansion and intensification of agriculture in efforts to feed its growing population. Effective solutions will support resilient systems, and must cut across agricultural, environmental, and socioeconomic objectives. While many studies compare and contrast the effects of different management practices on soil properties, soil degradation can only be evaluated within a specific temporal and spatial context using multiple indicators. The extent and rate of soil degradation in SSA is still under debate as there are no reliable data, just gross estimates. Nevertheless, certain soils are losing their ability to provide food and essential ecosystem services, and we know that soil fertility depletion is the primary cause. We synthesize data from studies that examined degradation in SSA at broad spatial and temporal scales and quantified multiple soil degradation indicators, and we found clear indications of degradation across multiple indicators. However, different indicators have different trajectories-pH and cation exchange capacity tend to decline linearly, and soil organic carbon and yields non-linearly. Future research should focus on how soil degradation in SSA leads to changes in ecosystem services, and how to manage these soils now and in the future. OPEN ACCESS

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Conservation agriculture and ecosystem services: An overview

Cited by 730 publications

References 177 publications

Changes in Agroecosystem Structure and Function Along a Chronosequence of Taungya System in Chiapas, Mexico

Changes in Agroecosystem Structure and Function Along a Chronosequence of Taungya System in Chiapas, Mexico

Carbon management in dryland agricultural systems. A review

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

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