Complex agroforestry systems and conservation of biological diversity (II)

de Foresta H., . and Michon G., . Complex agroforestry systems and conservation of biological diversity (II). pp. 488-500.

As far as environmental impact is concerned large-scale development of complex agroforests as those developed by peasants in Indonesia appears highly desirable. However their productivity in terms of cash income per unit of land is still low and irregular. Complex agroforestry systems can no longer compete with other agricultural systems which may be more risky but are more profitable in the short term. Thus further spreading of complex agroforestry systems mainly depends on an increase of their profitability. Until now this increase has been achieved by the reduction of the less productive components of the system to the benefit of selected high yielding crops. This process leads sooner or later to the replacement of the complex model by simple agroforestry systems or monocrop fields. As is suggested here the commercial valorizaiton of timber the main biomass component in complex agroforests could be another way of intensification bringing about a large number of beneficial effects. Shifts in the commercial value of timber species prove to be feasible as recently exemplified by rubber wood. Such shifts should be considered as well for many traditional agroforestry species which are also good timber species. Moreover the depletion of forest resources due to the regression of natural forests and the ever increasing social problems faced by the forestry industry because of land conflicts with rural populations could well give complex agroforests a new value as a source of supply for wood industry. The increased profitability of complex agroforestry systems achieved by this new output could promote their spread leading to both economic development and environmental conservation.

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Abstract

As far as environmental impact is concerned large-scale development of complex agroforests as those developed by peasants in Indonesia appears highly desirable. However their productivity in terms of cash income per unit of land is still low and irregular. Complex agroforestry systems can no longer compete with other agricultural systems which may be more risky but are more profitable in the short term. Thus further spreading of complex agroforestry systems mainly depends on an increase of their profitability. Until now this increase has been achieved by the reduction of the less productive components of the system to the benefit of selected high yielding crops. This process leads sooner or later to the replacement of the complex model by simple agroforestry systems or monocrop fields. As is suggested here the commercial valorizaiton of timber the main biomass component in complex agroforests could be another way of intensification bringing about a large number of beneficial effects. Shifts in the commercial value of timber species prove to be feasible as recently exemplified by rubber wood. Such shifts should be considered as well for many traditional agroforestry species which are also good timber species. Moreover the depletion of forest resources due to the regression of natural forests and the ever increasing social problems faced by the forestry industry because of land conflicts with rural populations could well give complex agroforests a new value as a source of supply for wood industry. The increased profitability of complex agroforestry systems achieved by this new output could promote their spread leading to both economic development and environmental conservation.

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	34 ref. Summary (En)
AGROVOC Term:	AGROFORESTERIA
AGROVOC Term:	CONSERVACION DE LA NATURALEZA
AGROVOC Term:	BOSQUE TROPICAL
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:56
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/20583

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