Alley Cropping – A practice where crops are grown between rows of trees to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion. Agro-silvopastoral systems – Combining trees, crops, and livestock to enhance productivity while maintaining ecological balance. Biodiversity hotspots – Areas with exceptionally high levels of species diversity, often targeted for conservation efforts within agroforestry projects. Carbon sequestration – The process by which trees and soils absorb and store atmospheric carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change. Deforestation – The large-scale clearing of forests, often due to agriculture, urbanization, or logging, leading to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions. Ecosystem services – The benefits provided by natural ecosystems, including pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. Forest farming — we cultivate high-value crops like truffles, mushrooms, herbs, and berries under the shade of a forest canopy. Hedges, windbreaks, and shelterbelts — This consists of planting rows of trees to protect crops and/or livestock from wind and soil erosion (and simultaneously improve biodiversity in the landscape!). Indigenous agroforestry systems – Traditional land-use practices developed by Indigenous communities that integrate trees and agriculture in sustainable ways. Mycorrhizal associations – Symbiotic relationships between fungi and plant roots that enhance nutrient uptake and soil health. Riparian Buffers – Tree planting along waterways to reduce nutrient runoff and protect aquatic ecosystems. Shade-grown agriculture – Growing crops like coffee and cacao under the canopy of native or planted trees to improve yield quality and biodiversity. Silvoarable farming – Growing crops between widely spaced trees to improve soil fertility and prevent land degradation. Silvopasture – A form of agroforestry that integrates trees, forage, and livestock, providing multiple ecosystem benefits. Soil carbon storage – The ability of agroforestry systems to enhance carbon sequestration by improving soil organic matter. Tree canopy – The upper layer of a forest formed by tree branches and leaves, which provides habitat and regulates temperature. Watershed protection – The conservation of forests to safeguard water sources, prevent soil erosion, and maintain water quality.

Agroforestry

What is agroforestry?

Agroforestry is a land-use management system that integrates trees, crops, or livestock to create sustainable and productive landscapes. It enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and contributes to climate resilience. Agroforestry practices differ between the Global South and Global North, adapting to regional ecological and socioeconomic conditions.

As the potential positive socioeconomic impact linked to agroforestry projects in developing countries is incredibly big, the focus is on projects in the Global South. Some of the systems used are agro-silvopastoral systems, shade-grown agriculture, and silvoarable farming.

In the Global North, we support two type of agroforestry: The plantation of hedges, windbreaks, and shelterbelts. This consists of planting rows of trees to protect crops and/or livestock from wind and soil erosion and (simultaneously improve biodiversity in the landscape!). Or, forest farming in which we cultivate high-value crops like truffles, mushrooms, herbs, and berries under the shade of a forest canopy. Other systems are alley cropping and riparian buffers.

Agroforestry lexicon

Alley Cropping – A practice where crops are grown between rows of trees to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion.
Agro-silvopastoral systems – Combining trees, crops, and livestock to enhance productivity while maintaining ecological balance.
Biodiversity hotspots – Areas with exceptionally high levels of species diversity, often targeted for conservation efforts within agroforestry projects.
Carbon sequestration – The process by which trees and soils absorb and store atmospheric carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change.
Deforestation – The large-scale clearing of forests, often due to agriculture, urbanization, or logging, leading to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions.
Ecosystem services – The benefits provided by natural ecosystems, including pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.
Forest farming — we cultivate high-value crops like truffles, mushrooms, herbs, and berries under the shade of a forest canopy.
Hedges, windbreaks, and shelterbelts — This consists of planting rows of trees to protect crops and/or livestock from wind and soil erosion (and simultaneously improve biodiversity in the landscape!).
Indigenous agroforestry systems – Traditional land-use practices developed by Indigenous communities that integrate trees and agriculture in sustainable ways.
Mycorrhizal associations – Symbiotic relationships between fungi and plant roots that enhance nutrient uptake and soil health.
Riparian Buffers – Tree planting along waterways to reduce nutrient runoff and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Shade-grown agriculture – Growing crops like coffee and cacao under the canopy of native or planted trees to improve yield quality and biodiversity.
Silvoarable farming – Growing crops between widely spaced trees to improve soil fertility and prevent land degradation.
Silvopasture – A form of agroforestry that integrates trees, forage, and livestock, providing multiple ecosystem benefits.
Soil carbon storage – The ability of agroforestry systems to enhance carbon sequestration by improving soil organic matter.
Tree canopy – The upper layer of a forest formed by tree branches and leaves, which provides habitat and regulates temperature.
Watershed protection – The conservation of forests to safeguard water sources, prevent soil erosion, and maintain water quality.