Agroforestry education and training in European institutions

Abstract

Integrated land uses, many now referred to as agroforestry, have a long history in Europe. In the past, the main trend was the movement of agricultural and pastoral activities into forests. The introduction of trees into non-forested (or once forested) lands is a much more recent occurrence, particularly the cultivation of high value fruit and nut trees in the Mediterranean countries, hedgerows/windbreaks in northwestern Europe and windbreaks in eastern Europe and the southern Soviet Union. Environmental concerns of intensive agriculture are increasing the demand for alternate production systems such as agroforestry. Education and training in agroforestry in Europe is very diverse because of the country specific issues regarding land use.