Trees outside forests / Agroforestry systems

Tree-crop systems

Tree-crop systems include the following:

Traditional practices: Shifting cultivation, fallow systems and nomadic grazing in semi-arid areas; Taungya (which includes cropping during the establishment phase of commercial tree plantations); parkland systems.

Crop production on soil improved by slash and burn <br> agroforestry techniques in Thailand

Home gardens: Spatially mixed multi-storey tree and crop arrangements.

Mixed fruit and crop trees, Niger <br> (Photo: S. Sadio)

Alley cropping (hedgerows intercropping): Planting rows of trees and/or shrubs (single or multiple) at wide spacing to create alleyways where agricultural or horticultural crops can be planted. The purpose is to enhance or add income diversity (both long- and short-term), reduce wind and water erosion, improve crop production, improve wildlife habitat or aesthetics, and/or convert cropland to forest.

Alley cropping system in a forest plantation in China

Linear tree plantings: Contour hedging or barrier planting for erosion control, windbreak, shelterbelts, boundary planting, live fencing, etc. This practice, planned and managed as part of a larger system, can control soil erosion, enhance production and protect crops such as cereals, fruit and vegetables.

Live fencing to protect vegetable production, Senegal<br> (Photo: S. Sadio)