Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

18. Agroforestry and crop–animal integration: a sustainable model for organic livestock systems

F.O. Paul

Animal - Science proceedings · 2026

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Summary

This review examines the integration of agroforestry with crop–animal production as a sustainable model for certified organic livestock systems. The authors synthesise evidence indicating that polyculture systems incorporating trees, crops, and livestock improve ecological functions whilst reducing reliance on external inputs compared to monospecific systems. The paper positions integrated agroforestry–livestock systems as a viable pathway for organic production, though specific quantitative outcomes and geographic applicability would require examination of the full text.

UK applicability

The findings are potentially relevant to UK organic livestock producers and agroforestry policy, particularly given UK support for integrated farming systems and environmental land management schemes. However, applicability depends on whether the review addresses temperate systems and UK-specific regulatory or climatic contexts.

Key measures

Ecological function enhancement, dependency on external inputs, system productivity and sustainability metrics in integrated agroforestry-livestock systems

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises evidence on how agroforestry systems integrating trees, crops, and livestock affect ecological functions and external input dependency in organic livestock farming. The paper evaluates polyculture systems as alternatives to monospecific production approaches.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Agroforestry & intercropping
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Agroforestry
DOI
10.1016/j.anscip.2026.03.019
Catalogue ID
NRmocxyjm0-000

Topic tags

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