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Agroforestry systems for the temperate zone

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Abstract

Historical development of a permanent agriculture system based on the use of agroforestry in the temperate zone is traced. In general, reasons for a renewed interest in agroforestry include the end of cheap, subsidized fossil fuels; increased concern about soil erosion and marginal land use; an international awakening as to the dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals; and a need to balance food production with other land uses.

For the forestry profession in particular, reasons for interest in agroforestry stem from a need to revitalize rural economies, the desire to increase timber exports, and potential resolution to land use conflicts between agriculture and forestry. Through use of agroforestry management systems, an increase in both economic and silvicultural benefits are obtainable.

Two agroforestry management systems are reviewed which currently appear feasible for implementation in many industrialized countries of the temperate zone. These two systems include: 1) Animal grazing and intercropping under managed coniferous forests or plantations; and 2) Multicropping of agricultural crops under intensively managed, high value hardwood plantations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, 126 Natural Resources Building, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA

    James W. Hanover

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  1. Michael A. Gold
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  2. James W. Hanover
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Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Paper No. 12046.

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Gold, M.A., Hanover, J.W. Agroforestry systems for the temperate zone. Agroforest Syst 5, 109–121 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047516

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