Improving weather and climate related risk assessments for non-forest trees

Abstract

Scientific evidence is now available to show that the spatial and temporal heterogeneity created by agroforestry plantings can help enhance resources, increase production, reduce risks of monocultural agricultural and forestry practices, and achieve system stability and sustainability. Previous sections in this chapter have shown this. In summary, the biological advantages of agroforestry in risk assessments are increased site utilization; improved soil characteristics; increased productivity; reduced soil erosion; reduced microclimate extremes; positive use of microclimate changes; enhanced above- and below-ground biodiversity (Ruark et al. 2003). © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.