Soil health ecosystem services of agroforestry

Abstract

Information on the impacts of agroforestry on the soil microbial community, biological processes, soil health, and ecosystem services is important for assessing and adjusting current management practices. Soil health benefits and ecosystem services associated with agroforestry have received more attention recently as established systems consistently demonstrated long-term crop and soil productivity. The objective of this chapter is to summarize recent studies on agroforestry systems in which soil health and ecosystem function were assessed and to consider adjustments in management for further improvement in the provision of ecosystem services. Soil health emphasizes the living, dynamic nature of soil that incorporates the biological attributes of biodiversity, soil food web structure, ecosystem functioning, and intimate relationships of soil microorganisms with plants and animals. Agroforestry practices consistently promote the buildup and maintenance of soil organic carbon, soil biological activity, and increased microbial diversity that are critical components in improving soil health, many of which are ecosystem functions necessary for the expression of ecosystem services. Soil health improvement is often an incidental benefit associated with functions such as nitrogen fixation by intercropped legumes that also increase soil organic matter. The unique compatibility of agroforestry within various ecosystem landscapes to accommodate improved and sustainable practices, such as alley cropping, effectively mediates improvements in soil health and ecosystem services. The resulting improvements enhance soil microbiome diversity and function to promote plant resilience to environmental stress and disease, and improve various chemical and physical properties of soils and ecosystem quality.