Ecological Basis of Agroforestry

Faced with the growing problems of climate change, ecosystem degradation, declining agricultural productivity, and uncertain food security, modern agricultural scientists look for potential relief in an ancient practice. Agroforestry, if properly designed, can mitigate greenhouse effects, maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity, provide food security, and reduce poverty. Poorly implemented agroforestry, however, can not only exacerbate existing problems, but also contribute in its own right to the overall negative effects of our depleted and failing ecosystems. With a diminishing margin for error, a thorough understanding of the ecological processes that govern these complex systems is, therefore, crucial. Drawing on the collective expertise of world authorities, Ecological Basis of Agroforestry employs extensive use of tables and figures to demonstrate how ecologically sustainable agroecosystems can meet the challenges of enhancing crop productivity, soil fertility, and environmental sustainability. Divided into four sections, this comprehensive volume begins with a study of tree-crop interaction in tropical and temperate climates. Contributions cover above and below ground interactions, alley cropping, tri-trophic interactions, ecologically based pest management, and the chemistry and practical potential of chemically mediated plant interactions. The second section investigates root-mediated below ground interactions and their role in enhancing productivity, soil fertility, and sustainability. It includes an extensive study on litter dynamics and factors affecting nutrient release. Applying ecological modeling of complex agroforestry systems, section three demonstrates the use of computer-based designs to ensure profitability. The final section addresses the socio-economic aspects of agroforestry, supplying in-depth knowledge of various.

Farming systems and discussing the technological tools that benefit society in different eco-regions around the world.

Front cover -- Contents -- Preface -- The Editors -- Contributors -- Part I: Ecological Interactions: An Overview -- Chapter 1. Ecological Interactions in Agroforestry: An Overview -- Chapter 2. Tree-Crop Interactions: Lessons from Temperate Alley-Cropping Systems -- Chapter 3. Allelopathic Tree-Crop Interactions under Agroforestry Systems -- Chapter 4. Approaches to Tree-Environment-Crop Interactions -- Chapter 5. Weeds, Diseases, Insect Pests, and Tri-Trophic Interactions in Tropical Agroforestry -- Chapter 6. Ecologically Based Pest Management in Agroforestry Systems -- Chapter 7. A Case Study on the Potential of Contour Hedgerow Intercropping for Sustainable Crop Production on Sloping Highlands in Humid and Subhumid Zones of Sri Lanka -- Part II: The Belowground Ecology -- Chapter 8. Belowground Interactions in Tree-Crop Agroforestry: Need for a New Approach -- Chapter 9. Tree-Grass Interactions and Water Use in Silvopastoral Systems in N.W. Patagonia -- Chapter 10. Litter Dynamics in Plantation and Agroforestry Systems of the Tropics-A Review of Observations and Methods -- Chapter 11. Developments in the Research of the Potential of Agroforestry for Sustaining Soil Fertility …