Search Results (743)

Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, an oomycete pathogen of global relevance, is a major driver of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) decline and mortality in Mediterranean forests. Its management remains challenging in multifunctional landscapes where forestry and agriculture intersect, like in Mediterranean oak dehesas. Conventional fungicides are used against P. cinnamomi, but their negative environmental impacts underscore the need for alternative management in agroforestry systems. This study evaluated whether a commercially available microbial biostimulant, VESTA, enhances physiological performance and mitigates pathogen pressure in Q. suber. Seedlings were inoculated with P. cinnamomi and treated with the bioinoculant via fertigation or watering to substrate saturation, under controlled greenhouse conditions. Plant physiological parameters and soil oomycete inoculum concentrations were measured to assess treatment efficacy. Both application methods significantly improved physiological performance in inoculated and mock-inoculated plants. Photosynthesis, stomatal regulation, and water balance were most affected. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed a strong pathogen reduction, with DNA concentrations approximately tenfold lower in treated substrates (~0.001 ng mL⁻¹) than untreated controls (~0.011 ng mL⁻¹). Overall, the product enhanced Q. suber resilience by improving plant physiological responses and reducing pathogen abundance, supporting its potential as a bio-based tool for nurseries and restoration in Mediterranean ecosystems. Field studies are needed to validate these findings under natural variability and optimize long-term application strategies. Full article

Agroforestry, where trees and shrubs are planted in row-alley systems, can utilize the natural ability of plants to interact with pollutants and serve as a passive biotechnological method for improving air quality. A method for programming air phytoremediation processes is presented, using appropriately shaped plant structures, considering species characteristics and the spatial configuration of plants in row-alley plantings. The main objectives of this study were: to determine the relationship between pollution reduction and the characteristics of plant communities, considering the parameters of individual plants and group characteristics, to determine strategic parameters for the interaction between plants and pollutant flows, and to identify optimization paths for each stage. The optimization of the air phytoremediation process is presented using the example of changes in the fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentration pattern, analyzed through numerical experiments using micrometeorological computational fluid dynamics models (ENVI-met software). Ex-ante analysis of hypothetical scenarios showed that introducing appropriate configurations of variable vegetation structure could lead to pollution reductions of up to 19%. The effectiveness of the presented plant systems qualifies this method as a type of bioengineering technology, supporting the multifunctionality of agroforestry systems. Full article

Mediterranean dehesas are open agroforestry systems in which tree configuration and climatic regime condition the organisation of biodiversity. In these landscapes, ants are commonly used as ecological indicators, although the relative importance of local versus regional factors in structuring their communities remains poorly defined. Ant assemblages were sampled using pitfall traps at 15 farms in southern Spain, and the influence of environmental variables defined at two spatial scales was analysed: microhabitat, distinguishing between areas under tree canopy and open areas, and farm as a unit representative of the regional context. The multivariate analyses applied (dbRDA, PERMANOVA and variance partitioning) reveal a hierarchical organisation of community assemblages. At the local scale, community variation was primarily explained by structural attributes of the tree layer, particularly canopy cover and distance to trees. At the farm scale, environmental predictors explained a modest proportion of community variation, with strong overlap among climatic, vegetation and structural variables. Overall, the structure of ant communities in dehesas follows a scale-dependent pattern, in which climate sets the regional framework and tree structure modulates assemblage organisation at a fine scale. Full article

Over the past few decades, legume-based intercropping has emerged as a strategic agronomic practice to enhance the sustainability and resilience of agro-ecosystems, thanks to its ability to perform biological nitrogen fixation and store soil organic carbon. The present study, given the growing recognition of agroecological practices, aims to analyze through a global bibliometric analysis the research conducted between 1986 and 2025 on legume–non-legume intercropping, with particular emphasis on its ecological and agronomic benefits. The investigation, carried out according to the PRISMA protocol on the Scopus database, selected 167 original English-language articles, excluding reviews, conference proceedings, modeling studies, and meta-analyses. China and India are identified as the most productive countries. Co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling analyses highlight thematic clusters centered on soil fertility, microbial communities, productivity, and the mitigation of environmental impact. Furthermore, management practices such as integrated rotations, cover crops, and agroforestry systems amplify the benefits in terms of carbon accumulation and resilience to adverse climate conditions. The distribution of publications by journal highlights the centrality of journals such as Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment and Plant and Soil. Overall, the data confirm the crucial role of intercropping as a pillar of the agroecological transition, underscoring the need for policies and research programs capable of amplifying its global adoption. The findings of this study may guide future interdisciplinary research and evidence-based policy decisions aimed at optimizing the design of resilient intercropping systems, tailored to address the challenges posed by climate change and the growing demands of global food security. Full article

Urban Food Forests (UFFs) are perennial, polyculture systems that integrate urban agriculture, forestry, and agroforestry. Like other urban green spaces, UFFs contribute to ecosystem services (i.e., enhancement of the urban resilience, biodiversity, social and health benefits) and additionally support the provision of food. Historically common in cities, urban food production is now reemerging as a public good and strategic green infrastructure. However, despite the growing interest, inconsistent definitions, limited design guidelines, and the scarcity of applied research hinder their implementation. Only by addressing these challenges can UFFs be better integrated into urban planning, enhancing their ecological and socio-economic contributions to sustainable and resilient cities. Full article

The Montado, a traditional Mediterranean agro-silvopastoral system, has historically sustained ecological and economic functions through the integration of trees, livestock, and crops. Today, its multifunctionality is increasingly threatened by climate variability, market volatility, and evolving policy frameworks. While previous research has examined Montado dynamics at landscape or plot scales, less attention has been paid to sustainability trajectories at the farm level, where management decisions are made. This study bridges that gap by assessing the sustainability dynamics of farms through a participatory, typology based, scenario approach grounded in a regional typology. We characterized three representative farm archetypes (forestry-focused, mixed agro-silvopastoral, and livestock-focused) and evaluated their trajectories under plausible future scenarios driven by climate, market, and policy pressures. Scenario outcomes were assessed using expert-based scoring (five-point scale), revealing score differences of up to two points across sustainability dimensions between farm archetypes and scenarios. Findings reveal marked trade-offs: Tree-focused farms maintain high environmental value but remain vulnerable to market and labor constraints, while livestock-specialized farms achieve higher economic output at the expense of ecological integrity. Mixed systems demonstrate greater resilience through diversification but face significant labor intensity challenges. We conclude that current “one-size-fits-all” policies generate contradictory incentives. Therefore, adaptive governance frameworks (e.g., results-based payment schemes) are essential to realign farm economics with ecological stewardship. Beyond the Montado, the approach provides insights relevant to other Mediterranean agroforestry systems facing similar sustainability challenges. Full article

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is indigenous to the Mediterranean basin, noted for its adaptability to biotic and abiotic stresses and its long history of use in traditional agroforestry systems. This review critically analyzes the phytochemical composition of carob, its traditional medicinal uses, and its contemporary applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agri-food sectors. Particular attention is placed on the valorization of carob pods, seeds, and leaves, which are transformed into high-value products, including locust bean gum and polyphenol-rich extracts. Recent studies indicate that carob is a rich source of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic acids and flavonoids such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, catechins, quercetin, and luteolin. These compounds have primarily been investigated in vitro and in vivo, where they exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, and potential cardioprotective and gastrointestinal-related effects. This chemical diversity underscores their potential as a prime substitute for future nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. The review further addresses the ecological and socio-economic relevance of carob cultivation, particularly in countries such as Algeria, where reforestation and agro-industrial valorization remain underexploited despite their significant economic potential. Overall, this work highlights the need for a comprehensive and critical evaluation of carob-derived bioactive compounds and encourages further well-designed studies, especially clinical investigations, to better substantiate their health-related benefits while supporting sustainable use of this multipurpose species. Full article

This study evaluated entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) isolated from a cacao agroforestry system in the Peruvian Amazon, focusing on their molecular characterization and efficacy against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. Thirteen EPN isolates were obtained from 50 soil samples using the Galleria mellonella baiting technique. Mortality assays revealed significant differences among isolates at 24, 48, and 72 h, with isolates 11N-A4 and 8N-B1 being the most virulent, achieving maximum mortalities of 100% and 96.3% at 72 h, respectively. Median lethal time (LT₅₀) values indicated rapid action of these isolates on G. mellonella larvae, with 33.3 h for 11N-A4 and 32.4 h for 8N-B1. Molecular identification using ITS, D2–D3 (LSU), and COI markers confirmed the isolates as Heterorhabditis sp. (11N-A4) and Heterorhabditis amazonensis (8N-B1). In bioassays with S. frugiperda larvae, both EPNs exhibited dose- and time-dependent mortality. H. amazonensis showed rapid action, reaching 100% mortality at the highest dose (60 IJs/larvae) within 48 h, whereas Heterorhabditis sp. displayed a gradual, sustained increase, attaining 91% mortality at 72 h. Median lethal dose (LD₅₀) and LT₅₀ values reflected the efficiency of both isolates, with Heterorhabditis sp. achieving lower LD₅₀ at later stages and shorter LT₅₀ at low-to-intermediate doses. These findings highlight the potential of Heterorhabditis sp. and H. amazonensis as effective biocontrol agents adapted to local conditions and represent the first report of H. amazonensis in Peru. Further studies under field conditions are required to confirm their suitability for incorporation into integrated pest management strategies in the Peruvian Amazon. Full article

Epimedium pubescens, a shade-tolerant medicinal plant, currently faces supply shortages. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of shading intensity on its growth and quality, this study established four treatments under a Phoebe zhennan plantation: inter-row artificial shading (0% shading, S-0; 50% shading, S-50; 75% shading, S-75) and natural canopy shading (S-93). When monitoring environmental factors, photosynthetic parameters, biomass, and total flavonol glycoside content, significant differences among treatments were only observed regarding solar radiation. Compared with inter-row treatments, S-93 reduced the maximum net photosynthetic rate and per-plant biomass by 33%–86% and 35%–71%, respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed that understory radiation indirectly influenced yield by regulating the vapor pressure deficit and net photosynthetic rate (R² = 0.95). Economic assessments, based on hectare-scaled yield (converted from plot units) and input costs (seedlings, land rental, labor), indicated that the 75% inter-row shading treatment applied from July to October (S-75) was optimal, generating a net annual income of 56,924.5 USD·ha⁻¹. This study provides a theoretical basis for the understory cultivation of E. pubescens. Full article

Tree-based production systems embedded within Amazonian biocultural landscapes remain systematically undervalued in global climate, biodiversity, and development policy frameworks. This study assessed tree diversity, structural attributes, and carbon stocks across traditional cacao-based Amazonian agroforestry systems (Chakra), tree-rich silvopastoral systems, and old-growth forests in the Andean–Amazon transition zone of Ecuador. Based on 28 sampling plots (DBH ≥ 10 cm), old-growth forests stored the highest aboveground carbon stocks, while agroforestry and silvopastoral systems retained approximately 20–30% of forest carbon, equivalent to ~100–180 Mg CO₂-equivalent ha⁻¹—far exceeding values reported for monocultures or treeless pastures. A total of 151 tree species were recorded across all land-use systems, with forests harboring the highest richness (122 species), followed by agroforestry (35 species) and silvopastoral systems (28 species). Carbon storage was highly concentrated in a limited subset of multifunctional species: in agroforestry systems, eight species accounted for ~80% of total aboveground CO₂-equivalent stocks, whereas in silvopastoral systems only five species explained a similar proportion. Dominant taxa such as Cordia alliodora, Inga edulis, Jacaranda copaia, Piptocoma discolor, and Piptadenia pteroclada illustrate a process of biocultural species filtering, whereby trees providing food, timber, shade, and cultural value are selectively retained while sustaining significant carbon stocks. These findings demonstrate that tree-based productive systems function as biocultural productive landscapes that conserve carbon, biodiversity, and livelihoods beyond forest boundaries. We argue for their formal inclusion, particularly traditional silvopastoral systems, within climate finance mechanisms, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and biocultural heritage frameworks, alongside forest conservation strategies. Full article

Soil degradation due to wind erosion is a major concern in semi-arid agricultural regions, particularly in South Africa’s Overberg area. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an agroforestry windbreak composed of Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell. in reducing wind speed and horizontal dust flux on a wheat farm during the fallow period. Aeolian transport was quantified by using meteorological data, dust collection with MWAC samplers, and remote sensing via aerosol optical depth. Results showed that the windbreak reduced wind speeds by up to 24%, with higher effectiveness under moderate wind conditions (<8 m·s⁻¹) and in areas of denser vegetation. Dust transport was significantly lower on the leeward side, confirming the barrier’s mitigating influence. However, gaps within the windbreak channelled wind and elevated dust transport locally. The findings highlight agroforestry’s potential for soil protection and initiation of dust depositions in erosion-prone drylands, emphasizing the need for design optimization and broader implementation to enhance agricultural resilience under climate variability. Full article

Karst desertification (KD) severely constrains regional ecological security and sustainable development. As an important ecological restoration measure, soil and water conservation agroforestry (SWCAF) systems have unclear mechanisms for soil microbial responses. This study investigated the effects of potential–light (PL), light–moderate (LM), and moderate–high (MH) KD on soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities in Karst SWCAF (KSWCAF) systems. It explored the drivers of microbial community changes. The results showed that (1) Soil physicochemical properties exhibited nonlinear changes along the KD gradient. Key soil-fertility indicators including silt, clay, total porosity (TP), total phosphorus (Total_P), total nitrogen (Total_N), soil organic carbon (SOC), and carbon nitrogen ratio (C_N) showed significant unimodal patterns, peaking at the LM stage with optimal overall soil quality; (2) The dominant bacterial phyla were Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Actinomycetota, and Planctomycetota, while the dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota. The overall abundance of these dominant phyla increased with intensifying KD, except that the relative abundance of Pseudomonadota was lowest in the QZ study area, while Acidobacteriota was highest in the QZ area. The dominant fungal phylum Ascomycota increased with KD intensification; (3) KD significantly influenced microbial community structure and beta diversity. Fungi showed stronger responses to the KD gradient than bacteria. Bacterial alpha diversity was significantly higher in the LM stage compared to the PL and MH stages (p < 0.05), while fungal alpha diversity was significantly lowest in the MH stage (p < 0.05); (4) Bacterial networks exhibited highest complexity but reduced stability at the LM stage, whereas fungal networks enhanced stability at the MH stage by increasing modularization and positive correlation proportions; (5) RDA revealed that soil physicochemical factors explained 66.89% and 98.82% of bacterial and fungal community variation, respectively, with pH, moisture, and C_N as key drivers. Overall, KD regulates microbial community structure and functional allocation by reshaping the soil environmental gradient, with the LM stage potentially representing a “transitional optimization window” for KSWCAF ecosystem structure and function. This study provides a theoretical basis for microbial regulation strategies in KD control and soil and water conservation (SWC) processes. Full article

Land-use change strongly affects soil microbiota, yet the role of agroecological systems in shaping soil fungal communities remains poorly understood in tropical soils. We evaluated the diversity, trophic modes, community composition, and co-occurrence networks of culturable soil fungal taxa across a land-use gradient in the Colombian Andes–Amazon transition zone. Agroecological systems—including improved pasture (IP), cacao and copoazu agroforestry systems (CaAS and CoAS), secondary forest with agroforestry enrichment (SFAE), and a moriche palm swamp ecosystem (MPSE)—were compared with dominant land-uses (degraded pasture, DP and old-growth forest, OF). Fungi were isolated using the soil dilution plate method and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics, and soil physicochemical properties were measured to evaluate their relationships with fungal community patterns. A total of 420 isolates were assigned to 93 fungal species. Alpha-diversity metrics revealed significantly higher fungal richness in OF and MPSE, and higher Shannon diversity in agroforestry and forest-based systems, whereas DP exhibited the lowest values. Ordination analyses showed clear differences in fungal community composition, with CoAS displaying the most distinct assemblage. Agroecological and forest-based systems favored saprotrophic and symbiotrophic modes. Co-occurrence network analyses indicated that MPSE, OF, and IP supported more complex and modular fungal networks. Soil pH and total phosphorus (TP) were key drivers of fungal community composition, whereas exchangeable calcium, TP, soil organic carbon, and base saturation were associated with network attributes. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of agroecological management for soil fungal diversity and network organization in Amazonian transition landscapes. Full article

Land degradation (LD) is an emerging threat of the decade that is not only deteriorating arable lands globally but also threatening global ecosystem sustainability. Therefore, the intensification of LD has stimulated global governing bodies and researchers to undertake initiatives against this dilemma through sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. Geographical mapping is critical in analysing land formation, soil composition and land use patterns, subsequently facilitating data-driven planning for soil conservation. In this review, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, combined with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, is used to explore soil properties and land use patterns across Saudi Arabia, with a focus on soil types, soil thickness, and soil uses. Spatial analyses indicate that the most predominant soil type in the country is sandy, followed by loam and sandy loam. The soil depth distribution exhibits a notably bimodal pattern, with large areas characterized by shallow soils (0–4 m) and deep soils (43–50 m). These spatial visualizations provide valuable insights into soil heterogeneity, supporting evidence-based, site-specific strategies for sustainable land management. This study also outlines the major land degradation pathways affecting arable lands in Saudi Arabia and describes how these pathways can be used to assess the extent of land loss. Besides land loss pathways, the current study also explains the most suitable mitigation strategies, including mulching, cover cropping, and agroforestry, as well as how international governing bodies like the UNDP, UNEP, FAO, and World Bank can contribute to the mitigation of LD in Saudi Arabia. However, further studies are required to assess the intensity of these solutions for each soil type and thickness under different climatic conditions. Full article

To investigate the rationality of water-use efficiency in agroforestry systems within this region, this study utilised the medicinal and edible plant Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai as a foundation. Five mixed planting models were established, incorporating Ardisia gigantifolia, Melicope pteleifolia, Camellia limonia, Belamcanda chinensis, Isatidis radix, and Pilea basicordata. Water-use efficiency (WUE) was analysed by measuring the carbon-stable isotope composition (δ¹³C) of plant leaves. Compared to previous studies that primarily focused on δ¹³C in single species or simple composite systems, this research innovatively evaluates the water-use efficiency (WUE) performance of different composite patterns and their impact on system stability at both the species and system levels, integrating the theory of fitness differentiation. Results indicate that the ranges of δ¹³C and WUE for the five mixed cropping systems were −27.0633‰ to 31.2188‰ and 27.7191 to 50.0365 μmol/mol, respectively. WUE ranking was: Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Camellia limonia—Pilea basicordata (SCP) > Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Camellia limonia (SC) > Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Belamcanda chinensis + Isatidis radix (SBI) > Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Melicope pteleifolia (SM) > Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Ardisia gigantifolia (SA). At the species level, the Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Camellia limonia—Pilea basicordata (SCP) composite planting model is better suited to karst arid environments, while the Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Ardisia gigantifolia (SA) composite planting model exhibits lower overall plant water-use efficiency (WUE) and weaker drought resistance. At the system level, Sophora japonica cv. jinhuai exhibited significantly higher water-use efficiency (WUE) than understory medicinal plants in most composite patterns, with pronounced differences in species fitness and poor system stability. The Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai—Camellia limonia—Pilea basicordata (SCP) model exhibited the highest WUE. Furthermore, no significant difference in WUE was observed between Sophora japonica cv.jinhuai and Pilea basicordata, indicating relatively high fitness matching and good coordination in water use. These species can coexist stably, suggesting promising application potential in karst arid environments. Therefore, this study not only evaluated the water-use performance of each species within the composite model but also identified SCP as the most suitable agroforestry configuration for karst regions from a system stability perspective. This provides a scientifically grounded basis for optimising agroforestry practices in these areas, integrating both species-level and system-level perspectives. It should be clarified that the WUE calculated based on δ¹³C in this study is a relative indicator rather than an absolute physiological measurement. Its reliability depends on the core assumptions and parameter settings of the isotope model. Full article