Other ecosystem services of agroforestry

Abstract

This chapter discusses the significant role agroforestry systems (AFS) play in realizing ecosystem services other than soil productivity improvement, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. Such "other" services include the improvement of hydrological characteristics and water quality, socio-cultural and recreational services, and facilitation for the development of biodiversity hotspots and ecotourism. The tree-crop interaction effects of AFS that can influence the hydrological processes include improvement of soil water storage through enhanced infiltration rates and reduced runoff losses and increase in biomass productivity per unit of water used. The positive role of agroforestry practices such as the establishment of riparian buffer strips in ameliorating the non-point source pollution of water bodies especially in commercial agricultural systems has been well demonstrated. Results of meta-analyses linking ecosystem services of agroforestry practices to overall soil health are also becoming available to show that agroforestry, compared with crop monocultures, provides higher levels of soil-related ecosystem services. Cultural ecosystem services include the non-material (non-monetary) benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, such as spiritual enrichment, intellectual development, and societal and community benefits including recreational, cultural, and aesthetic values. The homegardens are well known for the array of cultural ecosystem services they provide in many indigenous societies. Plant health issues, including the whole array of pests, diseases, and weeds, are one of the relatively under-investigated aspects of ecosystem services of AFS. Contrary to "over-tourism" that harms communities by overuse and destruction of resources through overcrowding and commercialization, well-planned ecotourism and ecodevelopment operations centered around agroforestry have excellent potential for economic gains and promoting ecosystem health.