http://www.usda.gov/img/content/agroforestry-landscape.jpg
Agroforestry is a science-based design framework that includes buffers, windbreaks, alley-cropping, silvopasture, and forest farming. Trees and crops together in agroforestry benefit economically and conservatively to the farmland. Similar to riparian buffers, field buffers filter air, slowing down the wind to retain soil moisture, and to reduce crop loss from wind or adverse pollen drift.
Alley cropping integrates rows of trees with annual crops, including corn, soybeans, and wheat. The trees in the field shed their leaves and branches, which in return provides mulch to the alley crops. The mulch improves the nutrient level of the soil and the variability of the crop. In return an alley crop produces timber for the farm and produces a good crop yield.
Silvopature is the integration of trees into a pasture. It moderates the environment to improve growth of livestock and forages while providing high-value trees for a long-term investment. The trees cut winter winds, and in the summer shade the animals and grass reducing stress, which in return increases growth rate of the livestock.
Forest farming can include a mix of trees, shrubs, vines, and seasonal crops. The biodiversity mimics the natural ecosystem and ecology, often reducing insect damage, plant diseases, and drought and wind damage. The systems can be highly yielding and produce numerous specialty forest products, giving the farmer an advantage.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=agroforestry
Explains the different types of agroforestry. There is silvopature, alley cropping, and forest farming. Agroforestry provides windbreaks and riparian forest buffers.
Click to access FactSheet_final_8-1-11.pdf
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.