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Table 1 Classification of agroforestry systems and specific practices

From: Evidence for the impacts of agroforestry on agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, and human well-being in high-income countries: a systematic map protocol

General practice type

Land use and agroforestry practice

Brief description

Agrosilviculture/silvoarable

Trees integrated in crop fields (multipurpose trees)

Trees intercropped with annual or perennial crops; trees randomly or systematically planted in cropland for the purpose of providing fruit, fuel wood, timber, and other services

Hedgerows, shelterbelts, and windbreak systems

Trees as fences around plots and/or an extended windbreak of living trees and shrubs established and maintained to protect farmlands

Alley-cropping systems

Rows of trees with a companion crop grown in the alleyways between the rows

Improved or rotational fallow

Land resting system using trees and shrubs to replenish soil fertility and potentially yield economic benefits, in rotation with crops as in traditional shifting cultivation

Riparian buffer strips

Areas along rivers and streams planted with trees, shrubs, and grasses to protect water quality

Silvopasture

Trees/shrubs on pasture (multipurpose trees)

Trees intercropped on pastures; trees randomly or systematically planted on pasture for the purpose of providing fruit, fuel wood, timber, and other services. Also used for forage/fodder and animal production

Meadow orchards

Orchards, including fruit orchards, olive groves, vineyards, and fruit-bearing shrubs, which are grazed or sown with pastures

Hedgerows, shelterbelts, and windbreak systems

Trees as fences around plots and/or an extended windbreak of living trees and shrubs established and maintained to protect farmlands and animals and/or provide fodder

Agrosilvipasture

Integrated production of animals (meat and dairy), crops, and wood/fuelwood

Production of crops, animal/dairy, and wood products within the same land area, including around homesteads

Forest farming

Forest farming

Forested areas used for production or harvest of naturally standing specialty crops for medicinal, ornamental or culinary uses

Forest grazing

Forested areas with the understory grazed as a means of providing forage for animal production

Urban and periurban

Homegardens

Combining trees/shrubs with vegetable production usually associated with periurban or urban areas

Agroforestry including insects/fish

Entomoforestry

Production combining trees and insects (e.g. bees for honey and trees)

Aqua-silvo-fishery

Trees lining fish ponds, tree leaves being used as ‘forage’ for fish

  1. Definitions are drawn from [18,19,20,21]