Agroforestry as a Sustainable Response to Forest Degradation: Ecological and Socioeconomic Perspectives

Summary

This review synthesises ecological and socioeconomic evidence for agroforestry as an integrated land-use system addressing forest degradation globally. The paper demonstrates agroforestry's capacity to support biodiversity, enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and strengthen rural livelihoods whilst contributing to major restoration frameworks including the Bonn Challenge and UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. However, the authors identify significant implementation barriers—land tenure insecurity, institutional fragmentation, and policy gaps—and call for enhanced policy coherence and cross-sectoral investment to mainstream agroforestry as a core sustainable land management strategy.

Regional applicability

Agroforestry's applicability to UK conditions is context-dependent; whilst temperate agroforestry systems (e.g. silvoarable, silvopasture) exist in the UK, the review's case studies derive primarily from tropical and subtropical landscapes in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. UK policy and practice would require adaptation of models to temperate climates and existing land tenure frameworks, though the review's emphasis on policy coherence and participatory planning aligns with current UK agricultural transition policy.

Key measures

Biodiversity conservation, soil fertility enhancement, carbon sequestration, microclimate stabilisation, watershed service provision, livelihood diversification, food security outcomes, gender equity impacts, alignment with Bonn Challenge and REDD+ targets

Outcomes reported

This review synthesises evidence on agroforestry's ecological contributions (biodiversity, soil fertility, carbon sequestration, watershed services) and socioeconomic benefits (livelihood diversification, food security, gender equity). It examines agroforestry's role within global forest landscape restoration initiatives and documents practical applications across multiple regions.

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