Agroforestry

Abstract

Integrating agriculture and forestry is old in practice but relatively new as an area of scientific study. Research in many countries is now documenting the advantages and problems of countless systems. It is important that those appropriate to the particular needs of a region be adopted there to complement the acceptable ways in which land is currently being used, and to replace unacceptable methods of land-use. This chapter describes some of the important principles involved, aspects to consider in the planning and management of agroforestry, and finally it considers the system most widespread in Australia. Agroforestry is shown to be a flexible form of land-use. The wide range of options may challenge the ingenuity of management but, if intelligently manipulated, can yield substantial economic and environmental rewards in favourable situations. -Author