Developing a Third Generation Agroforestry

TREES AT HEDGES PROVIDING SERVICES FOR AGRICULTURE agroforestery features Jack Delozzo - Noilhan (Gascony - Southwest France) From research to the field… developing a third generation agroforestry “third generation” refers to the integration of new variables into the agroforestry concept. • These are no longer single-purpose plantations, but mixed agricultural and forestry varieties of local origin, specifically chosen for each site • Nearby vegetative structures are integrated in order to create a matrix of green spaces, e.g. natural regeneration of field margins, hedge and riparian vegetation management, hedge planting, and restoration of pollarded trees • Seeds will be planted on the grass margins of tree lines and will naturally evolve towards the desired balance • Branches from pruning or from restoring pollarded trees are recycled as bioenergy or ground and used as Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW) for mulching • Trunk bases are covered in 100% biodegradable mulch (corn starch, RCW, straw) • Simplified farming practices, complementary to agroforestry Through these integrated systems, it is possible to create areas for environmental mitigation that are also highly productive. This innovative pathway should allow agriculture to meet the environmental and economic challenges set: producing in accordance to the Water Framework Directive, Nitrate Directive, national strategy for biodiversity, the climate plan, and increasing quantity and quality of production by favoring the presence of natural enemies and pollinating insects… Restoring pollarded tree 100% biodegradable mulch Assisted natural regeneration Seeding perennial grasses around tree bases Production and use of RCW Diversity of species, favoring biodiversity Meadow with 3 leguminous Agronomists (INRA research) has demonstrated that planting trees and hedges within a farm results in an increase of species: clover, alfalfa, sainfoin overall yield of vegetative and animal production. Trees and livestock In addition to the various benefits such as protection of buildings and recycling part of the pollution linked to effluents, trees also offer a direct economic advantage for livestock. Horsebean Animals kept in fields with trees and less stressed than those raised inside. They have access to better feed and are preceding alfalfa Agroforestry – 5.7 ha – 231 trees less vulnerable to disease. 7 lines spaced by 22m Studies have shown that productivity increases 20% for meat and milk thanks to the presence of hedges and Agroforestry – 5.45 ha – trees. 261 trees 7 lines spaced by 22m – intercrop = 8m Trees and large scale crops The presence of trees offers a climatic and biological protection of crops; it improves soil quality and their ability to retain water. Camarens stream Agroforestry allows for a diversification of production at the field scale (softwood lumber, bioenergy, RCW, fruits..) as well as increasing overall yield by up to 30%. Uses of timber Spring barley Wheat Timber produced by agroforestry (pollarded trees and hedges) can be valued in different ways: softwood lumber, +leguminous population + fencing, bioenergy or Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW). RCW consists of ground twigs from tree pruning, incorporated crimson clover species into the soil in order to improve its properties. These uses generate economic resources for the farmer. Meadow with 3 leguminous species : clover, alfalfa, sainfoin Promoting biodiversity Thanks to the variety of plants flowering at different times, agroforestry systems offer natural enemies of crop pests the nectar and pollen resources they need all year long. These natural enemies may then pollinate crops and effectively control pests. 520m of hedge in open field : - wind breaker, - field separation, - limits runoff Agroforestry – 1.4 ha – 52 trees – Wild hedge 4 lines spaced by 22 m Wheat Esquinson stream preceding Native tree species alfalfa Oat – live alfalfa The tree species planted for rural landscaping are native varieties. Their local origin is the key to a good adaptation to environmental constraints and for maintaining or restoring genetic diversity. Oat + trefoil Agroforestry – 1,6ha – 78 trees – 3 lines spaced by 22 m Agroforestry – 2.5ha – 125 trees – 4 lines spaced by 22 m Nearly two dozen of local varieties were used in the plantations Common hawthorn Cratægus monogyna Chequer tree Sorbus torminalis Farm characteristics Fly honeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum Common hazel Corylus avellana Productions : Sessile oak Quercus petraea Common walnut Juglans regia 84ha of C2 organic agriculture Pubescent oak Quercus pubescens «Sapporo» gold elm Ulmus resista sapporo Vegetative Common dogwood Cornus sanguinea European wild pear Pyrus pyraster Agricultural practices Wheat, spring and winter barley, horsebean, oats, Quince Cydonia oblonga European wild pear Malus sylvestris Service tree Sorbus domestica Plum tree Prunus domestica The simplest possible sorghum, sunflower, meslin, alfalfa, sainfoin, trefoil. Livestock Service tree Lonicera etrusca Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Vegetative cover in intercropping Field maple Acer campestris Common privet Ligustrum vulgare bovins-viande, race limousine Direct seeding and cover crop seeding European spindle Euonymus europaeus Wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana Superficial tilling : maximum 5cm The animals only feed on dry grass with leftover grains Common ash Fraxinus excelsior from sorting of farm production when needed. Wild cherry Prunus avium Purging buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica Italian buckthorn Rhamnus alaternus Agriculture must fit within the framework for sustainable development in order to ensure its longevity. Trees and hedges are part of tomorrow’s agriculture and their effect on water infiltration, carbon sequestration, useful organisms (e.g. natural enemies, pollinators) and soil conservation no longer needs to be proven. Thanks to its multiple benefits, trees in farming systems associated to cultural techniques of vegetative cover, can provide simple and low-cost solutions to recover from and even prevent disturbances at all scales, from the field to the watershed. Protection and enrichment of agricultural soil Creating a savings Mechanical protection account against wind and runoff Input of organic matter : leaf and root decomposition into humus, incorporation of Landscape quality Increasing economic benefit from the RCW (pruning residues) farm by producing quality timber, Stimulation of soil.microfauna for Trees are a fundamental element of while preserving agricultural improving aeration of soil. the identity of rural landscapes production of the fields. Improving water Promoting Mitigating climatic resource management biodiversity and useful variation and its effects organisms Trees in agroforestry, thanks to their Creating refuges and wildlife Trees sequester carbon, thus deep rooting system, allow a better use of corridors for fauna and flora. compensating for greenhouse gas emissions underground water resources and improve the Stimulating pedofauna and Its foliage creates a microclimate which storage capacity of rainwater populations of natural enemies limits evaporation of soil water as well as The tree’s root system filters water while insulating crops and livestock and pollinators. recycling drained nutrients (such as nitrogen). avec le soutien de.

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