Land Management Systems at the Interface Between Forestry and Agriculture

Abstract

Trees cultivated on agricultural land are playing an ever more significant role in rural development while at the same time also providing a range of ecosystem services such as soil protection, biodiversity conservation and greater carbon sequestration. All over the world, at the interface between forestry and agriculture, a wide variety of agroforestry systems are being implemented as a means to provide much needed wood of different dimensions and qualities, other non-timber forest products as well as animal and agricultural crop produce. An overview of some of the main agroforestry approaches making a contribution to rural development globally are presented, including innovative examples of modern agroforestry. Subsequently, another land use system flanking forestry and agriculture that has been growing in importance internationally in recent years is presented, namely short rotation coppice management. Distinct from traditional agroforestry systems in that in most cases wood is the only production goal, short rotation coppice plantations are a highly productive form of agricultural land use providing farmers with a great deal of flexibility, potentially high yields and certain ecosystem services.