Jim McAdam - Böcker

While recent EU Rural Development policy clearly recognises the economic, ecological, and social advantages of agroforestry systems, to date the implementation of such systems remains poor throughout most of Europe. In light of this, this collection of peer-reviewed papers brings together some of the most important current research in European agroforestry, and evaluates the current scope and future potential of agroforestry across the EU. While the majority of Europe's agroforestry practices are currently focused in the Mediterranean, this volume draws together examples from a wide range of countries -- including Greece, Spain, the UK, Hungary, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Slovenia. The book also covers a range of agroforestry types, including silvopastoralism -- Europe's predominant form of agroforestry -- as well as alley cropping, forest farming, silvoarable systems and the use of trees for shelter.Through these examples the book also discusses the potential roles for these traditional land management systems in addressing both environmental issues such as water quality, biodiversity conservation, desertification, ecosystem services and socioeconomic issues such as rural population stabilization.Augmented by detailed reviews of the main elements of European agroforestry and the issues that face it, this timely collection of research papers provides a valuable reference both for advanced students and researchers interested in a wide range of issues around land use, rural development, natural resource management, landscape ecology, and conservation across Europe, and for the agroforestry community -- including research and extension organizations -- worldwide.

This book features three peer-reviewed reviews on silvopastoral systems.The first chapter begins with providing a detailed definition of silvopasture, before moving onto reviewing the different types of silvopastoral systems, from parklands and hedgerows to riparian buffers and shelterbelts. The chapter considers the role of silvopasture in delivering key ecosystem services such as improvements to soil health and water and air quality. A section on the factors governing uptake of silvopasture is also included.The second chapter discusses the integration of livestock (or forage) production with tree crops, particularly fruit trees and vines. After reviewing the current extent of fruit tree-based agroforestry systems, the chapter highlights the opportunities this integration offers in increasing overall land productivity, whilst minimising competition between forage and food production. The chapter concludes by discussing the many challenges this integration entails and how these challenges can be effectively addressed.The final chapter provides a brief overview of silvopastoral systems from around the world and highlights the importance of trees for livestock production. The chapter also considers best practices for designing and managing silvopastures to deliver key ecosystem services, focussing on their valued contribution to carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.