Carbon Sequestration Potential of Agroforestry Systems in the West African Sahel


Book Description

ABSTRACT: In recent years, carbon (C) sequestration potential of agroforestry systems has attracted attention, especially following Kyoto Protocol's recognition of agroforestry as an option for mitigating green house gasses. Although the possible benefits of agroforestry in carbon (C) sequestration have been conceptually discussed, field measurements to validate these concepts have not been undertaken to any significant extent. In addition to the traditional agroforestry systems, improved practices and technologies are now being expanded into the dry regions such as the West African Sahel for perceived benefits such as arresting desertification, reducing water and wind erosion hazards, and improving biodiversity. Thus, it is imperative to investigate C sequestration potential of agroforestry practices in these regions. My research hypothesizes that the tree-based systems will retain more C in the systems both above- and below-ground than tree-less land-use systems. By joining the C credit market, the landowners could sell the C sequestered in their agroforestry systems. My research consisted of three components. The first examined C (biomass + soil) stored in five target land-use systems: two traditional parkland systems involving Faidherbia albida and Vitellaria paradoxa trees as the dominant species, two improved agroforestry systems (live.




Carbon Sequestration Potential of Agroforestry Systems


Book Description

Tree based production systems abound especially in the tropics. Despite the pervasiveness of such multipurpose “trees-outside-forest” resources, they have not attracted adequate attention in the development paradigms of many nation states. These multispecies production systems impact the ecosystem processes favourably. Yet, our understanding of the diversity attributes and carbon dynamics under agroforestry is not adequate. This book focuses on the role of multispecies production systems involving tree and crop species as a means for carbon sequestration and thereby reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Sixteen chapters organized into three broad sections titled: Measurement and Estimation, Agrobiodiversity and Tree Management, and Policy and Socioeconomic Aspects represent a cross section of the opportunities and challenges in current research and emerging issues in harnessing carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems.




Agroforestry Parklands in Sub-Saharan Africa


Book Description

This document attempts to present the current state of knowledge on agroforestry parkland systems. These systems, which for many local populations are very important for food security, income generation and environmental protection, are found primarily in the semi-arid and sub-humid zones of West Africa. The document first provides a thorough description of their distribution and diversity and discusses different ways of classifying them. It also presents data on current trends in parkland development and assesses determining factors. The document then provides an in-depth analysis of biophysical tree-soil-crop interactions and the factors regulating them, and describes various improved parkland management techniques. It goes on to examine the strength and limitations of institutional arrangements as well as the constraints imposed by Sahelian forest policies on the sustainable management of parklands. The production, use and marketing of parkland products is reviewed with an emphasis on their contribution to food security, local and national income as well as social values. Overall costs and benefits of the practice of parkland agroforestry are evaluated. In conclusion, the document identifies crucial research needs and promising avenues for promoting sustainable management of parkland systems.




North American Agroforestry


Book Description

North American Agroforestry Explore the many benefits of alternative land-use systems with this incisive resource Humanity has become a victim of its own success. While we’ve managed to meet the needs—to one extent or another—of a large portion of the human population, we’ve often done so by ignoring the health of the natural environment we rely on to sustain our planet. And by deteriorating the quality of our air, water, and land, we’ve put into motion consequences we’ll be dealing with for generations. In the newly revised Third Edition of North American Agroforestry, an expert team of researchers delivers an authoritative and insightful exploration of an alternative land-use system that exploits the positive interactions between trees and crops when they are grown together and bridges the gap between production agriculture and natural resource management. This latest edition includes new material on urban food forests, as well as the air and soil quality benefits of agroforestry, agroforestry’s relevance in the Mexican context, and agroforestry training and education. The book also offers: A thorough introduction to the development of agroforestry as an integrated land use management strategy Comprehensive explorations of agroforestry nomenclature, concepts, and practices, as well as an agroecological foundation for temperate agroforestry Practical discussions of tree-crop interactions in temperate agroforestry, including in systems such as windbreak practices, silvopasture practices, and alley cropping practices In-depth examinations of vegetative environmental buffers for air and water quality benefits, agroforestry for wildlife habitat, agroforestry at the landscape level, and the impact of agroforestry on soil health Perfect for environmental scientists, natural resource professionals and ecologists, North American Agroforestry will also earn a place in the libraries of students and scholars of agricultural sciences interested in the potential benefits of agroforestry.







Agroforestry and Climate Change


Book Description

Over the past decade the potential of agroforestry systems to sequester carbon and their role in providing ecosystem services has become the forefront of research as a result of global climate change. Agroforestry, that unambiguously integrates trees into land use systems, has traditionally contributed to global climate change adaptation. Hence, the promotion of Agroforestry is vitally vital to reinforce the resiliency of the country to future global climate change.Agroforestry and Climate Change provides a wide-ranging coverage of comprehensive information on emerging eco-friendly technology and its prospective role in contesting climate change through agroforestry. The book starts with highlights three ways agroforestry can be part of a climate change response: adapt to increased risks and uncertainties, facilitate an energy transition, and restoring landscape multifunctionality to allow current human resource appropriation to become sustainable, fitting sustainable development goals within planetary boundaries. Next, this book covers a study that presents how to use local agroecological knowledge in climate change adaptation. Further, this book presents a literature review to shed light on the social, environmental and economic benefits and challenges of using agroforestry systems for the purposes of conservation and restoration. The book also focuses on - carbon revenue in the profitability of agroforestry relative to monocultures; carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems in India; estimating carbon storage in windbreak trees on U.S. agricultural lands; agroforestry practices and carbon sequestration cost estimates among forest land dependent households in Nigeria; and reducing subsistence farmers' vulnerability to climate change: evaluating the potential contributions of agroforestry in western Kenya. Additionally, the book reviews the literature and discusses the adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture and forestry, the effects of adapting agroforestry on climate changes, and important policies for promoting agroforestry adaptation. Climate change may significantly reduce the productivity of farms globally. Potential impact of climate change on farm productivity is a significant concern given that agriculture represents the primary livelihood strategy for most rural poor in tropical developing countries. In the last, therefore, this book presents contribution of agroforestry to climate change mitigation and livelihoods in developing countries.




Tropical Agroforestry


Book Description

Agroforestry is recognized as a sustainable land-use management in the tropics, as it provides environmental-friendly ecosystems; it also provides people with their every day need for food and cash. Since the recognition of agroforestry as a science, curricula have been developed for agroforestry programs for undergraduate and graduate trainings in Universities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop and make available educational material. This textbook strives to provide up-to-date information on tropical agroforestry to serve as educational material in the tropical context. The authoritative textbook of Nair (1993) on agroforestry was published 18 years ago, and before the advent of tree domestication, an important agroforestry practice today. In addition, many other research activities, such as carbon sequestration and integrated pest management, have been included in the agroforestry agenda. This textbook is intended for agroforestry students, teachers, and practitioners.




Carbon Management in Tropical and Sub-Tropical Terrestrial Systems


Book Description

Soil organic carbon (SOC), a key component of the global carbon (C) pool, plays an important role in C cycling, regulating climate, water supplies and biodiversity, and therefore in providing the ecosystem services that are essential to human well-being. Most agricultural soils in temperate regions have now lost as much as 60% of their SOC, and as much as 75% in tropical regions, due to conversion from natural ecosystems to agricultural uses and mainly due to continuous soil degradation. Sequestering C can help to offset C emissions from fossil fuel combustion and other C-emitting activities, while also enhancing soil quality and long-term agronomic productivity. However, developing effective policies for creating terrestrial C sinks is a serious challenge in tropical and subtropical soils, due to the high average annual temperatures in these regions. It can be accomplished by implementing improved land management practices that add substantial amounts of biomass to soil, cause minimal soil disturbance, conserve soil and water, improve soil structure, and enhance soil fauna activity. Continuous no-till crop production is arguably the best example. These soils need technically sound and economically feasible strategies to sustainably enhance their SOC pools. Hence, this book provides comprehensive information on SOC and its management in different land-use systems, with a focus on preserving soils and their ecosystem services. The only book of its kind, it offers a valuable asset for students, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders involved in the sustainable development and management of natural resources at the global level.




Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation


Book Description

The Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation addresses the scientific, social, political and cultural aspects of climate change in an integrated and coherent way. The multi-volume reference focuses on one of the key aspects of climate change: adaptation and how to handle its impacts on physical, biotic and human systems, analyzing the social and normative scientific concerns and presenting the tools, approaches and methods aimed at management of climate change impacts. The high-quality, interdisciplinary contributions provides state-of-the-art descriptions of the topics at hand with the collective aim of offering, for a broad readership, an authoritative, balanced and accessible presentation of the best current understanding of the nature and challenges posed by climate change. It serves not only as a valuable information source but also as a tool to support teaching and research and as help for professionals to assist in decision-making.