ALBERT

Description:    Forest ecosystems are impacted by multiple uses under the influence of global drivers, and where landscape ecology tools may substantially facilitate the management and conservation of the agroforestry ecosystems. The use of landscape ecology tools was described in the eight papers of the present special issue, including changes in forested landscapes due to agricultural and forestry activities, landscape changes due to recent intensification of agriculture, and the impacts of agroforestry as compared to natural forest ecosystems. Landscape ecology can improve the economic, environmental and social values of agroforestry, and this knowledge should help to develop new management alternatives for agroforestry. We believe that these papers will inform management at the landscape level, especially in agroforestry landscapes, offering new tools for management and conservation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-4 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9496-6 Authors Guillermo Martínez Pastur, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC CONICET), Houssay 200, 9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Emilie Andrieu, UMR DYNAFOR Inra/INP-ENSAT, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France Louis R. Iverson, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Delaware, OH, USA Pablo Luis Peri, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNPA-INTA-CONICET), Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) is widely distributed throughout Sub-Saharan Africa stretching from Senegal to Sudan, and from Ethiopia to Natal. Information of phenotypic and genetic variation is a prerequisite for the domestication and improvement of baobab fruits from the wild. A study was done to determine within and between provenance variability in fruit and seed characteristics of five populations selected from four silvicultural zones and assess whether morphometric traits could delineate populations from different zones into land races. Fruits were characterized from 55 trees representing a wide geographical range. Six fruit traits and three individual seed traits were assessed. Results showed highly significant differences ( P  ≤ 0.001) in fruit, pulp, and seed weight, fruit length and width, number of seed, individual seed weight, seed length and width within and between populations. Mean fruit weight ranged from 125.8 ± 3.25 to 162.9 ± 3.25 g, seed weight ranged from 38.6 ± 2.5 to 66 ± 2.01 g and pulp weight ranged from 28.7 ± 1.33 to 41.4 ± 1.33 g. Single seed weight showed pronounced evidence of divergence of populations into ecotypes. The rich diversity found between and within populations is important for domestication purposes and tree improvement through selection and breeding. All populations could be used for seed source but distribution should be consciously done recognizing existence of races. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9500-1 Authors C. R. Y. Munthali, Mzuzu University, Private Bag 1, Luwinga, Mzuzu, Malawi P. W. Chirwa, Pretoria University, Lynwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa F. K. Akinnifesi, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Southern Africa Regional Programme, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe 3, Malawi Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    Participatory research methods have helped scientists to understand how farmers experiment and to seek partnerships with farmers in developing technologies with enhanced relevance and adoption. This paper reports on the development of a participatory methodology to systematize long-term experimentation with agroforestry systems carried out in a hotspot of biodiversity by non-governmental organizations and local farmers. A methodological guide for systematization and techniques used for Participatory Rural Appraisal formed the basis of our work. We propose an analytical framework that recognizes systems of reflexive and learning interactions, in order to make the learned lessons explicit. At the process level, the main lessons and recommendations are as follows. It is important to establish partnerships to conduct innovative and complex experimentation with agroforest. Participatory systematization allows us to improve the methodological aspects of design, implementation and management of on-farm participatory experimentation. It also serves to synthesize the main findings and to extract lessons from agroforestry systems experiments. It fosters the technical improvement of agroforestry systems. It creates possibilities for reflection on agroforestry systems by farmers, extensionists and researchers, as well as their learning with respect to management of such systems. The findings are placed in the context of current theory on participatory experimentation in agriculture. Extractive and interactive approaches help to produce rich insights of mutual interest through collaboration by identifying local, regional and global convergences, complementarities, and conflicts of interest; which affect the advance of new eco-friendly technologies, to both improve the livelihoods and to reverse biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9498-4 Authors Helton Nonato de Souza, Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands Irene Maria Cardoso, Soil Science Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil Eduardo de Sá Mendonça, Plant Production Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES 29500-000, Brazil Anôr Fiorini Carvalho, Soil Science Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil Gustavo Bediaga de Oliveira, Centre of Alternative Technologies of Zona da Mata (CTA-ZM), Sitio Alfa Violeira, Zona Rural, Caixa Postal 128, Cep, Viçosa, MG 36570 000, Brazil Davi Feital Gjorup, Centre of Alternative Technologies of Zona da Mata (CTA-ZM), Sitio Alfa Violeira, Zona Rural, Caixa Postal 128, Cep, Viçosa, MG 36570 000, Brazil Verônica Rocha Bonfim, Centre of Alternative Technologies of Zona da Mata (CTA-ZM), Sitio Alfa Violeira, Zona Rural, Caixa Postal 128, Cep, Viçosa, MG 36570 000, Brazil Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    Jatropha curcas (L.) has gained popularity as a biodiesel plant to serve as an alternative fuel source and generate income to small landholders. The success of J. curcas as alternative fuel source and income generation depends on the identification of genetically divergent materials of the plant and developing superior planting stocks for farmers. This paper presents genetic diversity assessment of 40 representative accessions drawn from 90 accessions collected from ten regions of Ghana based on their seed yield performance. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on the 40 accessions with ten primers revealed an average polymorphism of 24.99%. Genotype Genotype*Environmental biplot analysis which incorporates divergence effects due to genotype (PC1) and interactions between genotype and field parameters (PC2) was 44.7%. Hence the RAPD information indicates narrow genetic diversity among the accessions used in the study and J. curcas germplasm in Ghana. It is therefore recommended that local germplasm of J. curcas should be officially conserved and immediate efforts be made to widen the genetic base through research and introduction from other regions. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9488-6 Authors E. Owusu Danquah, Department of Agroforestry, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana R. Akromah, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana S. J. Quashie-Sam, Department of Agroforestry, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana W. Oduro, Department of Wildlife and Range management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana D. Falk, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada N. V. Thevathasan, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada A. M. Gordon, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    Agroforestry is a promising method for enhancing land-use sustainability in the Bolivian Andes. However, its benefits in terms of rural development are under-recognized due to gaps in understanding users’ perceptions while taking into consideration both local and global environmental goals. Our study aimed to narrow these gaps by developing an analytical framework for analyzing the site-specific socio-ecological factors and interactions related to local woody species and assessing their ecological, economic, and socio-cultural plant values in order to identify the most promising agroforestry species. The framework was then tested in an indigenous community at 2,760–3,830 m a.s.l., incorporating vegetation surveys, environmental studies, and interviews on plant functions. Ecological, economic, and socio-cultural values and the ecological apparency of plants were calculated, and detrended correspondence and principal component analyses helped to reveal the socio-ecological context of significant factors for plant distribution and uses. Results showed dominating seral woody species along an altitudinal gradient. Although shrubs were more ecologically apparent than trees, trees were perceived to be more valuable as the usefulness and cultural importance of species increased with plant height and timber availability. Phytosociological factors played a minor but still significant role in perceived usefulness. Schinus molle and Prosopis laevigata (〈3,200 m a.s.l.), Polylepis subtusalbida (〉3,200 m a.s.l.), and Baccharis dracunculifolia (both zones) were evaluated as most promising for agroforestry use. In conclusion, our analytical framework proved to be a valuable tool for context-specific agroforestry plant selection. Nonetheless, economic, technical, and socio-cultural limitations of cultivating native agroforestry species were revealed as well. Agroforestry science and practice should, therefore, focus on enhancing reproductive potentials of existing woody vegetation, as well as problem-oriented horizontal dialogues between indigenous, expert, and scientific actors. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9503-y Authors Regine Brandt, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany Heike Zimmermann, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany Isabell Hensen, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany Juan Carlos Mariscal Castro, Agroecología Universidad Cochabamba (AGRUCO), Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS), Avenida Petrolera Km. 4 ½, Cochabamba, Bolivia Stephan Rist, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    Silvopasture systems combine trees, forage, and livestock in a variety of different species and management regimes, depending on the biophysical, economic, cultural, and market factors in a region. We describe and compare actual farm practices and current research trials of silvopastoral systems in eight regions within seven countries of the world: Misiones and Corrientes provinces, Argentina; La Pampa province, Argentina; northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil; the Aysén region of Patagonia, Chile; the North Island of New Zealand; the Southeast United States; Paraguay; and Uruguay. Some countries use native trees and existing forests; some use plantations, particularly of exotic species. Natural forest silvopasture systems generally add livestock in extensive systems, to capture the benefits of shade, forage, and income diversification without much added inputs. Plantation forest systems are more purposive and intensive, with more focus on joint production and profits, for small owners, large ranches, and timber companies. Trends suggest that more active management of both natural and planted silvopastoral systems will be required to enhance joint production of timber and livestock, achieve income diversification and reduce financial risk, make more profit, improve environmental benefits, and realize more resilience to adapt to climate change. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9482-z Authors Frederick Cubbage, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8008, USA Gustavo Balmelli, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Tacuarembó, Uruguay Adriana Bussoni, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay Elke Noellemeyer, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, LP, Argentina Anibal N. Pachas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA, Montecarlo, Misiones, Argentina Hugo Fassola, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA, Montecarlo, Misiones, Argentina Luis Colcombet, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA, Montecarlo, Misiones, Argentina Belén Rossner, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA, Cerro Azul, Misiones, Argentina Gregory Frey, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA, USA Francis Dube, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Biobio Region, Chile Marcio Lopes de Silva, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil Hayley Stevenson, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8008, USA James Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Service, Watauga County, Boone, NC, USA William Hubbard, Southern Regional Extension Forester, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    The main objective of this study was to assess the economics of alley cropping of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) in the southern United States. Assuming a price range of switchgrass between 15 and 50 Mg −1 and yield of 12 Mg ha −1 year −1 , we investigated the effect of switchgrass production on the optimal forest management for loblolly pine stands under different stumpage prices. We considered the following potential scenarios: no competition between species for resources; reduced loblolly pine productivity due to competition with switchgrass; and reduced productivity of both species due to competition for nutrients, water and light. Findings also suggested that the optimal system would depend on the competitive interactions between switchgrass and loblolly pine crops, and the expected prices for each crop. Loblolly pine monoculture would be the most profitable option for landowners compared to intercropping systems with switchgrass below $30 Mg -1 . However, when switchgrass prices are =$30 Mg −1 , landowners would be financially better off adopting intercropping if competitive interaction between crops were minimal. In order to realize higher economic returns for intercropping system, forest landowners must make some efforts in order to diminish the decline of productivity. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9475-3 Authors Andres Susaeta, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 315 Newins Ziegler Hall, P.O. Box 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA Pankaj Lal, Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, 358 N Mallory Hall, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA Janaki Alavalapati, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 313 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 240601, USA Evan Mercer, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Research Triangle Park, P.O. Box 12254, Durham, NC 27709, USA Douglas Carter, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 357 Newins Ziegler Hall, P.O. Box 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    Intercropping Ginkgo and crop species in southern China is receiving increasing attention because it offers potential advantages for resource utilization, higher economic income to farmers and increased sustainability in crop production, We carried out a 2-year field intercropping system composed of Ginkgo with wheat, broad bean, and rapeseed, respectively, to determine the competitive interactions between the different species, and productivity and the economic yield of each intercropping system. The density of Ginkgo and crop species was varied systematically in a two-way density matrix composed of three monoculture densities and nine intercropping of all possible pairwise combinations of monoculture densities. Intercropping systems were assessed on the basis of several intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio, relative crowding coefficient, relative competition intensity and vector competition analysis. The results showed that the combined biomass production of the component crop species was significantly greater in the Ginkgo/crop mixtures than in monocultures crops (Ginkgo, broad bean, wheat, and rapeseed). Ginkgo: rapeseed ratio 24:12, Ginkgo: bread bean ratio 24:5, and Ginkgo: wheat ratio 24:200 had the best total biomass production. Ginkgo: rapeseed (and broad bean) ratio 24:5 and Ginkgo: wheat ratio 24:200 in respective Ginkgo/crop mixtures had the maximum economic yield. Vector competition analysis showed that Ginkgo/rapeseed mixture exhibited an antagonistic interaction type and therefore is not suitable for intercropping. Ginkgo/broad bean mixture demonstrated the most beneficial effects among the three intercropping systems. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10457-012-9485-9 Authors Fu-liang Cao, Faculty of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037 Jiangsu, China J. P. Kimmins, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada J. R. Wang, Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    No information is available about carbon (C) sequestration potentials in ecosystems on Andisols of the Chilean Patagonia. This study was undertaken to measure the size of C stocks in three predominant ecosystems: Pinus ponderosa -based silvopastoral systems (SPS), pine plantations (PPP) and natural pasture (PST), and examine how clover affect tree growth and stocks of soil C. The C contents of trees and pasture were determined by destructive sampling and dry combustion. Soil samples were taken at 0–5, 5–20, 20–40 cm depths in order to determine soil C and N. For PPP and SPS total aboveground tree C was 38.4 and 53.1 kg tree −1 and belowground was 21.3 and 23.4 kg tree −1 , respectively. Annual diameter increment at breast height was 1 and 2 cm in PPP and SPS, respectively, and was significantly higher in SPS. Trees in SPS, due to lower density and the presence of leguminous pasture, demonstrated enhanced growth and C sequestration. Soil organic C (SOC) stocks at 0–40 cm depth were 193.76, 177.10 and 149.25 Mg ha −1 in SPS, PST and PPP, respectively. The conversion of PPP to SPS and PST to PPP resulted in an increase of 44.51 Mg ha −1 and a decrease of 27.85 Mg ha −1 in SOC, respectively. Favorable microclimatic conditions in relation to air temperature and soil moisture were observed in SPS as well as a synergy between trees and pasture. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9471-7 Authors Francis Dube, Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Victoria 631, Casilla 160-C, Concepcion, VIII Region, Chile Miguel Espinosa, Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Victoria 631, Casilla 160-C, Concepcion, VIII Region, Chile Neal B. Stolpe, Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Concepción, Vicente Mendez 595, Casilla 537, Chillan, VIII Region, Chile Erick Zagal, Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Concepción, Vicente Mendez 595, Casilla 537, Chillan, VIII Region, Chile Naresh V. Thevathasan, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada Andrew M. Gordon, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366

Description:    In the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, family farmers are adjusting to agroecological principles to reconcile sustainable agriculture, livelihood improvements and biodiversity conservation. Starting in 1993, experimentation with coffee agroforestry was gradually initiated on an increasing number of farms (37 in total), resulting in the simultaneous management of sun coffee (SC) and agroforestry coffee (AF) plots. We aimed (1) to identify factors that determine the farmers’ selection of trees used in AF; (2) to describe the agroecological farms in transition; and (3) to perform an economic comparison between AF and SC. These objectives were addressed by combining data from botanical surveys in 1993/1994 and 2007, by interviews with farmers and by detailed data on the production value and costs of labour and material inputs. The results showed considerable diversity in farming strategies and management among the farmers. Early adopters of AF had diversified towards production of different marketable products. The use of native trees in AF for this purpose, and for restoration of soil fertility (e.g., leguminous trees), had increased since the start of the experiments, while exotic tree species were eliminated. Over a period of 12 years AF was more profitable than SC due to the production of a diversity of agricultural goods, despite somewhat higher establishment costs. Other ecosystem services delivered by AF, such as biodiversity and cultural services are currently not valorized. Payment schemes for environmental services could further improve the economic benefits of AF for family farmers and alleviate establishment and learning costs. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-16 DOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9452-x Authors Helton Nonato de Souza, Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Jan de Graaff, Land Degradation and Development Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Mirjam M. Pulleman, Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Journal Agroforestry Systems Online ISSN 1572-9680 Print ISSN 0167-4366