Agroforestry for Soil Management

Agroforestry refers to land use systems in which trees grow in association with agricultural crops, pastures or livestock. From its inception agroforestry has contained a strong element of soil management. This is found in both indigenous and modern agroforestry systems. The earliest form of agroforestry, shifting cultivation, has objectives which are primarily related to soils and many other indigenous agroforestry systems achieve maintenance of soil fertility. This book represents an update and new edition of the author's previous book "Agroforestry for Soil Conservation", published in 1989. A great deal of research in agroforestry has happened during this time, with the resulting increase in reporting of results and interim conclusions from field trials and experiments. Much of this information has been assimilated and incorporated into this new edition. For example the need to rely upon "indirect evidence" for the likely success of agroforestry has been largely replaced by direct evidence reported from these experiments. "Agroforestry for Soil Management", 2nd edition, is for all agroforestry students and lecturers. It is also a resource for all those concerned with sustainable development, such as agricultural extension workers. Moreover, the book provides information for those studying and teaching forestry and is also of much value to soil scientists and agronomists.