Agroforestry for Ecosystem Services and Sustainability

Agroforestry systems are believed to provide several ecosystem services; however, until recently evidence in the agroforestry literature supporting these perceived benefits has been lacking. This volume brings together a series of papers from around the globe to address recent findings on the ecosystem services and environmental benefits of agroforestry. Specifically, this volume examines four major ecosystem services and environmental benefits: (1) carbon sequestration, (2) biodiversity conservation, (3) soil enrichment, and (4) air and water quality. Past and present evidence indicates that agroforestry, as part of a multifunctional working landscape, can be a viable land-use option that, in addition to alleviating poverty, offers several ecosystem services and environmental benefits. This realization should help promote agroforestry and its role as an integral part of a multifunctional working landscape worldwide. The book should be handy to students, professionals, researchers, and policymakers involved in natural resource management, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, and environmental management.