Temperate Agroforestry Systems

Agroforestry is a land use system that allows for the concurrent production of trees and agricultural crops and/or livestock from the same piece of land. It has a rich history of development and has been practised in some parts of the world for more than 6,000 years. While more widely associated with tropical regions, the practice of agroforestry is equally well-suited to the temperate zone. In 1997, CABI published the seminal book on this subject, Temperate Agroforestry Systems, the first on this subject globally. The 3rd edition of this book updates the work with exciting breakthroughs on climate change and nature recovery at all scales, including the use of agroforestry practices as nature-based solutions at the landscape level. This edition highlights research and development issues addressed by leading researchers and practitioners in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Europe, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentinian Patagonia. Temperate agroforestry comes with its own socioeconomic, political and adoption challenges. Nonetheless, it continues to emerge as a foundational regenerative agricultural technique, capable of restoring soil health, sequestering carbon and enhancing biodiversity far more efficiently than conventional annual cropping. In contrasting temperate agroforestry techniques across global temperate zones, the book provides the reader with unique insights as to how different political structures embrace and promote agroforestry. At the same time the work illustrates how agroforestry is a key solution to current challenges of climate change, population growth and food security in concert with ongoing global needs for the water and energy required for resilient agricultural paradigms. Temperate Agroforestry Systems is essential reading for all working on these issues, including researchers, teachers, policy makers and practitioners. The book will also be seminal for students and teachers of agriculture, forestry, ecology, climate change and other environmental issues in temperate regions.