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Land
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Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges
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Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Systems and Global Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 10897

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Judit Rubio-Delgado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Art and Territory Science, INTERRA Research Institute for Sustainable Territorial Development, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: agroforestry systems; land use/cover management; land use/cover dynamics; GIS; remote sensing; geomorphology; precision agriculture
Dr. J. Francisco Lavado Contador

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Art and Territory Science, INTERRA Research Institute for Sustainable Territorial Development, University of Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: environmental modeling; land degradation; GIS; land use/cover management; land use/cover dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, has gained significant attention for its potential to enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem services, and contribute to sustainable land management. As global pressures on the environment and land use intensify, agroforestry presents promising approaches to address the complex challenges of climate change, food security, water scarcity, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, while maintaining or improving agricultural productivity, restoring soil health, or providing habitats for wildlife. Despite its potential benefits, the implementation of agroforestry is often constrained by socio-economic, policy, and technical barriers that vary across regions. It is crucial to identify research opportunities and challenges in this area to gain a deeper understanding of how these systems can be optimized for various landscapes and contexts.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) providing insights into agroforestry systems and their role in promoting sustainable land use and environmental conservation. It seeks to offer a platform for innovative solutions, theoretical advancements, and empirical studies that examine how agroforestry systems can be effectively integrated into diverse landscapes. The objective is to provide further knowledge of sustainable agriculture, ecosystem services, land–climate interactions, ecological resilience, and landscape management.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Agroforestry effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services;
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation through agroforestry;
  • Socio-economic challenges and opportunities in the adoption of agroforestry;
  • Policy frameworks and incentives for promoting agroforestry;
  • Technological and management innovations in agroforestry systems;
  • Local knowledge on agroforestry practices and management.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Judit Rubio-Delgado
Dr. J. Francisco Lavado Contador
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agroforestry
  • sustainability
  • environmental conservation
  • ecosystem services
  • biodiversity
  • land management innovation
  • land use/cover dynamics
  • climate change adaptation
  • climate change mitigation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2479 KB  
Article
Rooting for Words: An Analysis of Agroforestry Terminology in U.S. Forest Action Plans
by Kianie B. David and Lord Ameyaw
Land 2026, 15(3), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15030507 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 431
Abstract
Forest Action Plans (FAPs) are strategic documents guiding forest management across the United States (U.S.), yet agroforestry terminology is used inconsistently within these plans. This study analyzed 50 state FAPs to assess how agroforestry practices are communicated. Using a predetermined list of 29 [...] Read more.
Forest Action Plans (FAPs) are strategic documents guiding forest management across the United States (U.S.), yet agroforestry terminology is used inconsistently within these plans. This study analyzed 50 state FAPs to assess how agroforestry practices are communicated. Using a predetermined list of 29 terms, including the five main agroforestry practices in the U.S. (alley cropping, forest farming, riparian forest buffers, silvopasture, and windbreaks), a descriptive content analysis was conducted, examining the frequency of agroforestry terms and their associated terms across all states. Results revealed wide variation in FAP document page length and regional differences in terminology usage. FAPs ranged from about 15–681 pages and the Midwestern (Great Plains) states demonstrated the highest frequency of agroforestry term mentions. Among the five main agroforestry practices, riparian forest buffers were mentioned most frequently (437 times across 44 states), while alley cropping and forest farming appeared in only two states. Notably, some states with established agroforestry traditions and practices showed minimal explicit agroforestry term usage in their FAPs. These findings highlight the need for clearer guidance within FAPs to improve the consistency and visibility of agroforestry terminology in the U.S. This analysis establishes a benchmark for understanding how agroforestry is communicated in FAPs and offers guidance for future research and FAP writing cycles beyond the current 2025–2026 updates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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27 pages, 4787 KB  
Article
The Optimization of Maize Intercropped Agroforestry Systems by Changing the Fertilizing Level and Spacing Between Tree Lines
by Zibuyile Dlamini, Ágnes Kun, Béla Gombos, Mihály Zalai, Ildikó Kolozsvári, Mihály Jancsó, Beatrix Bakti and László Menyhárt
Land 2026, 15(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010126 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1109
Abstract
Agroforestry is defined as a multifunctional approach to land management that enhances biodiversity and soil health while mitigating environmental impacts compared to intensive agriculture. The efficacy of maize cultivation in agroforestry systems is significantly influenced by nutrient competition. The factors that influence this [...] Read more.
Agroforestry is defined as a multifunctional approach to land management that enhances biodiversity and soil health while mitigating environmental impacts compared to intensive agriculture. The efficacy of maize cultivation in agroforestry systems is significantly influenced by nutrient competition. The factors that influence this phenomenon include the dimensions and configuration of the tree rows, as well as the availability of nutrients. This study examined the effect of nitrogen fertilization, tree line spacing, and seasonal changes on the productivity and the leaf spectral characteristics of the intercropped maize (Zea mays L.) within a willow-based agroforestry system in eastern Hungary. The experiment involved the cultivation of maize with two spacings (narrow and wide field strips) and four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) across two growing seasons (2023–2024). The results demonstrated that yield-related parameters, including biomass, cob size and weight, and grain weight, exhibited a strong response to nitrogen level and tree line spacing. The reduction in spacing resulted in a decline in maize productivity. However, a high nitrogen input (150 kg N ha−1) partially mitigated this effect in the first growing season. Vegetation indices demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity to annual variations, particularly with regard to tree competition and weather conditions. Multispectral vegetation indices exhibited a heightened responsiveness to environmental and management factors when compared to indices based on visible light (RGB). The findings of this study demonstrate that a combination of optimized tree spacing and optimized nitrogen management fosters productivity while maintaining agroecological sustainability in temperate agroforestry systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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24 pages, 4129 KB  
Article
Contribution of European Agroforestry Systems to Climate Change Mitigation: Current and Future Land Use Scenarios
by Salim Edris, V. Anthony Gabourel-Landaverde, Susanne Schnabel, Judit Rubio-Delgado and Rodrigo Olave
Land 2025, 14(11), 2162; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112162 - 30 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1752
Abstract
Agroforestry is a land use system that has recently been recognised as a strategic tool for greenhouse gas mitigation and as an integrated approach to sustainable land use due to its environmental benefits. Hence, information on its net carbon sequestration potential is crucial [...] Read more.
Agroforestry is a land use system that has recently been recognised as a strategic tool for greenhouse gas mitigation and as an integrated approach to sustainable land use due to its environmental benefits. Hence, information on its net carbon sequestration potential is crucial for future land use planning and sustainable development. This paper aims to estimate net emissions and removals from silvopastoral and silvoarable systems by quantifying their areas across the EU27, the UK, and Switzerland, utilising the Land-Use-based Integrated Sustainability Assessment land cover map and Copernicus high-resolution layers. The analysis identified a total of 9.2 Mha of silvopastoral and silvoarable areas across the study area, comprising approximately 6 Mha and 3.2 Mha, respectively, mainly clustered around the Mediterranean biogeographical region. Collectively, these land use systems could remove approximately 81.7 Mt of CO2 eq yr−1 while emitting roughly 49.9 Mt CO2 eq yr−1, resulting in a net removal of 31.8 Mt of CO2 eq yr−1. From a global perspective, the EU27 reported 3180.2 Mt of CO2 eq emissions in 2018, with the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector acting as a net sink, removing 260.8 Mt CO2 eq, equivalent to −8.2% of total emissions. Agroforestry, when integrated within the agriculture sector, could further enhance its GHG mitigation, potentially offsetting the sector’s emissions by 54%. Additionally, expanding agroforestry systems on 30% of the identified target areas would sequester up to 49 Mt of CO2 eq yr−1 more and result in planting 1.7 billion trees more. These findings highlight the positive role of agroforestry systems in contributing to the EU’s 2030 emission reduction and tree planting targets and emphasise the need for integrated management approaches to enhance and maximise their mitigation potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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20 pages, 9376 KB  
Article
Quercus pyrenaica Forests Under Contrasting Management Histories in Northern Portugal: Carbon Storage and Understory Biodiversity
by Eduardo Pousa, María Villa, Júlio Henrique Germano de Souza and Marina Castro
Land 2025, 14(10), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14101953 - 26 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1028
Abstract
Old-growth forests are crucial for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation due to their high carbon storage, structural complexity, and resilience to environmental stressors. Yet, such ecosystems are rare in Europe, and their ecological functioning remains poorly understood. This study assesses the capacity [...] Read more.
Old-growth forests are crucial for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation due to their high carbon storage, structural complexity, and resilience to environmental stressors. Yet, such ecosystems are rare in Europe, and their ecological functioning remains poorly understood. This study assesses the capacity of Quercus pyrenaica forests in the Montesinho-Nogueira Natura 2000 site (Bragança, Portugal) to develop maturity attributes under different forest management histories. We compare an area with low human intervention for over 80 years (10.2 ha) to two areas harvested for traditional small-scale firewood and timber extraction around 30 years ago (11.4 ha and 2.73 ha). Dendrometric measurements, carbon storage, floristic inventories of understory vegetation, and regeneration surveys were conducted across 42 sub-plots during June–July 2024. Results show that older forests store significantly more carbon and support greater biodiversity, evenness and regeneration, while younger forests present higher values of species richness, including several rare taxa. Our findings suggest that under favorable conditions, secondary forests can recover substantial biomass and carbon stocks within a few decades, while mature stands continue to accumulate carbon and maintain complex structures. Differences in floristic composition between sites may also reflect distinct silvopastoral practices between patches, such as itinerant grazing through forest patches, which historically characterized the Montesinho landscape. These results highlight the value of preserving a mosaic of successional stages, as both mature and intermediate-phase forests, together with compatible human activities, provide complementary biodiversity benefits and contribute to the multifunctionality of Mediterranean agroforestry systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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29 pages, 11618 KB  
Article
Improving Soil Health Using Date Palm Residues in Southern Tunisian Olive Orchards
by Najoua Chniguir, Abdelhakim Bouajila, Ángeles Prieto-Fernández, Zohra Omar, Salah Mahmoudi and Carmen Trasar-Cepeda
Land 2025, 14(7), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071414 - 5 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1702
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of different types and rates of locally produced organic residues on soil organic matter (SOM) and soil health in highly degraded loamy soils of olive orchards in arid southern Tunisia. Three residues were tested: poultry manure, raw date [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effects of different types and rates of locally produced organic residues on soil organic matter (SOM) and soil health in highly degraded loamy soils of olive orchards in arid southern Tunisia. Three residues were tested: poultry manure, raw date palm waste, and composted date palm waste mixed with manure. A randomised field trial was conducted over three years. Two years after application, soil samples were analysed for physical and chemical properties, basal respiration, nitrogen mineralisation, microbial biomass, enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase, β-glucosidase, urease, arylsulphatase), and community-level physiological profiles. All residues increased SOM and available phosphorus (Pi), with dose-dependent effects sustained over time, though significant increases were only observed at the highest application rates. The most notable improvements occurred in soils amended with composted date palm waste. In contrast, biological and biochemical parameters showed little response, even after remoistening to stimulate microbial activity. This limited response was attributed to the absence of vegetation and, consequently, of root exudates and plant residues. This will be further investigated by assessing changes in the same biological and biochemical properties following the implementation of an intercropping system, which is expected to enhance both SOM content and microbial activity in these soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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19 pages, 16167 KB  
Article
Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor Backpack for Assessing Spatial and Temporal Variations in Soil Water Content in an Agroforestry System in Northern Spain
by Leticia Gaspar, Trenton E. Franz and Ana Navas
Land 2025, 14(4), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040744 - 31 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1513
Abstract
Accurate, real-time, and multi-scale soil water content (SWC) monitoring is crucial for understanding terrestrial energy, water, and nutrient cycles. This study assesses the potential of a portable cosmic-ray neutron sensor (CRNS) backpack for measuring SWC in a Mediterranean mountain agroforestry system. Seven field [...] Read more.
Accurate, real-time, and multi-scale soil water content (SWC) monitoring is crucial for understanding terrestrial energy, water, and nutrient cycles. This study assesses the potential of a portable cosmic-ray neutron sensor (CRNS) backpack for measuring SWC in a Mediterranean mountain agroforestry system. Seven field surveys were conducted in northern Spain, covering nine control points under woodland and cropland. CRNS data were compared with in situ SWC measurements from an SM-200 field probe and the NDMI index derived from Sentinel-2 imagery. The results show that the CRNS backpack effectively captures spatial and temporal SWC variations. The CRNS method demonstrated advantages over point-scale sensors by providing integrated measurements at an intermediate scale, while Sentinel-2 data offered valuable insights into moisture variability through vegetation response. The moderate correlations observed among the three methods highlight the complementarity of these approaches for soil moisture monitoring in heterogeneous landscapes. This work underscores the potential of mobile CRNS sensor as a practical tool for field-scale SWC assessment in Mediterranean mountain agroforestry systems, offering new opportunities for cropland and water management in similar landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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15 pages, 1704 KB  
Article
Fostering Circularity in Agroforestry Biomass: A Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Resource Management
by Tiago Bastos, Leonel J. R. Nunes and Leonor Teixeira
Land 2025, 14(2), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020362 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1515
Abstract
Sustainability is under threat due to inefficient waste management. In the industrial sector, mechanisms such as value chains and producer obligations have advanced circular economy practices. However, in the agroforestry sector, open burning of waste remains prevalent, resulting in resource loss and heightened [...] Read more.
Sustainability is under threat due to inefficient waste management. In the industrial sector, mechanisms such as value chains and producer obligations have advanced circular economy practices. However, in the agroforestry sector, open burning of waste remains prevalent, resulting in resource loss and heightened fire risks. This scenario jeopardizes the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability, underscoring the need for legal frameworks to ensure waste recovery. This study proposes a regulatory framework to enhance the circular economy in agroforestry waste management. A benchmarking analysis was conducted to examine waste recovery systems where circular economy principles are successfully implemented. Insights from these systems were integrated with an in-depth assessment of the agroforestry biomass recovery chain to develop actionable regulatory measures. The proposed framework includes measures such as mandatory delivery of biomass, creation of aggregation centers, and incentives for biomass recovery. These measures are tailored to reduce fire risks, improve resource efficiency, and align stakeholders’ practices with sustainability goals. Visual tools, including comparative tables and diagrams, illustrate the framework’s impact. The study highlights the potential of regulatory interventions to promote agroforestry waste recovery, supporting sustainable development. Future work should focus on pilot implementations to validate the framework’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Challenges)
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