VOLUME 17 ISSUE TWO

Agroforestry is not Healthcare – “The prevention, immune to climate treatment, and management of illness 3 change and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions.” —The American Heritage Dictionary, fourth edition

LIKE human health, environmental forest buffers, windbreaks, and silvopas- Diagnosing what ails health must be preserved, treated, and ture systems now and in the future. your agroforestry managed. Certain precautionary tech- Healthy agroforestry systems equate to a 5 practices niques help ensure the health of indi- more healthful overall landscape, max- vidual agroforestry practices, like using imum environmental services, and native trees and shrubs, and mini- opportunities for diversified income. mizing threats like emerald ash borer. This issue of Inside Agroforestry Concerns about a By making investments like these, we explores several aspects of agroforestry 8 not-so-precious jewel receive the greatest benefit from riparian health and how they might affect you. ] NAC Director’s Corner A commentary on the status of agroforestry by Dr. Greg Ruark, NAC Program Manager

Time for agroforestry triage

THE health of our nation’s working lands is being increase wildlife benefits, while also protecting soils, crops, increasingly challenged by pressures like land develop- and livestock. Riparian forest buffers on farms and ment, changing climate, wildfires, and invasive pests. ranches can protect surface waters from sediments, nutri- Maintaining healthy forest and agricultural systems is ents, and contaminants, while enhancing aquatic habitats essential for preventing the diminution of productivity and sequestering carbon. Farm woodlots can be used to and avoiding negative social consequences, like soil ero- grow specialty products like ginseng or mushrooms under sion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. A high pro- a modified forest canopy, thereby encouraging timber portion of the watersheds in this country are an inter- stand improvement practices. Grazing/timber systems woven mosaic of both rural and urban landuse. Landscape allow farmers to generate an annual income from grazing perspectives that take an all-lands approach are needed to livestock under thinned conifer stands, while producing provide comprehensive solutions that optimize ecosystem high quality sawlogs and avoiding problems associated services. Otherwise, it is like trying to make a patchwork with animal feeding operations. At the agriculture/com- quilt without bothering to sew the pieces together— munity interface trees can be planted to provide social everything comes unraveled. benefits and a buffer from agricultural activities and harsh It is time to perform an agroforestry triage to determine environments. Finally, it is also important to tend to the where in the landscape agroforestry technologies can best health of the agroforestry plantings themselves to insure be used. For example, shelterbelts can provide corridors that they produce their intended benefits. ] across agricultural lands to connect forest fragments and

Send us your CanVis visual simulation success story

We want to feature it in 2008. Send material to: USDA NAC, 1945 Inside Agroforestry N. 38th St., Lincoln, NE 68583–0822. Or send it via email to Nancy Hammond, HAVE you used CanVis image editing soft- [email protected]. ware to communicate ideas or design alter- CanVis image editing software is an natives to landowners or engage the public in entry-level image-editing program for nat- the design and decision-making process? If ural resource professionals. Using the soft- so, we want to hear about it. ware you can edit a scanned photograph or To submit your story: tell us about the image from a digital camera to create project, how CanVis image editing software photo-realistic design simulations. It helped you communicate your design alter- requires minimal computer skills. natives, and any simulation creations that For more information, or to order a kit you wish to share. visit NAC’s website: www.unl.edu/ The deadline for submission is July 18, nac/simulation/products.htm#canvis

2 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two Invasion by lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) is a common response to warming 20th-21st century conditions in Sierra Nevadan meadows. At Tuolumme Meadows, Yosemite National Park, CA, climate change and other historic land uses have interacted to promote recurrent colonization episodes of pine (left). National Park Service managers counter these effects by periodically removing pine seedlings and small trees (below). Photos by Constance Millar

This article is adapted from Climate Change and Forests of the Future: Reframing Managing in the Face of Uncertainty, by Dr. Constance Millar, et al. The article focuses on forest lands, but the principles strategies are wholly applicable to agroforestry. Dr. Millar’s article appeared in Mountain for climate Views, the Newsletter of CIRMOUNT, the Consortium for Integrated Climate change Research in Western Mountains. March 2008, Vol 3. She works for the USDA Forest Service, PSW Research Station.

CURRENTLY, many natural resource tial heterogeneity are acknowledged; the the climate is changing. Now, what do management strategies and practices are assumption is that the backdrop is we do about it?” based implicitly or explicitly on assump- static. Incorporating the implications of No single solution or individual man- tions of a historically stable environ- climate change, either natural variability agement approach is appropriate to all, mental background. Even when succes- or human-driven, forces the rethinking or even most situations. Management sional or disturbance dynamics and spa- of basic management frameworks and tools should be mixed and combined to methods. When managing for climate best match the particular context. The change, the point is not just to “think two primary tools are adaptation and outside the box,” but to recognize that mitigation. Adaptation strategies are the box itself is a moving target. This those approaches taken to adjust, pre- leads to the question: “OK, we get that pare, and accommodate new conditions that are created by changing climates. Mitigation strategies include those Rather than using the common rule to actions taken to reduce and reverse the target historcic pre-disturbance conditions human influence on the climate system, and lake level elevation, water balance primarily through reduction of green- and climate models can realign a lake’s house gas emissions and feedbacks. level to current dynamics and anticipated future climates. Photo by Constance Millar see Climate change on page 5

Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two 3 Variety is the spice of agroforestry

Richard Straight common vectors that help to spread mechanical, and chemical treatments FS Lead Agroforester, USDA National insects and diseases. Similarly, different but also their timing. Varying the Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE species and seed sources often vary in timing of treatments like prescribed their susceptibility to weather events burning, grazing, and tilling as well as PLANT diversity can help absorb the and stressful weather patterns such as choice of pesticides reduces the risk of blows of an insect attack, weed inva- wind storms or drought. favoring the same pest or competing sion, weather extremes, or even market Because market demands and prices vegetation time and time again, or changes. Diversity can be looked at as a change, sometimes unpredictably, eco- allowing a pest to develop a resistance disturbance buffer. nomic risk can be reduced by growing a to management strategies. Undesirable Since agroforestry practices require variety of products that respond to dif- plants—weeds—can develop resistance intense management and each compo- nent of the system has an influence on the others it is important to make sure that each part of the system is func- tioning well. One way to maintain the integrity of an agroforestry practice is to create diversity within the system. Diversity can be created and main- tained in several ways. The most obvious are through varying plant selec- tion and management activities.

Plant materials Diversity in plant selection includes such things as using trees, shrubs, and grasses, not just trees or only trees and

Diversity can be Types of diversity created and main- tained in several ] Product ways. The most ] Plant selection and arrangement obvious are ] Harvesting varying plant ] Management activity selection and man- ] Risks associated with homogeneity agement activities.

] Function of diversity NAC file photos

grass. Different species and even dif- ferent market pressures. Examples of to a pesticide, especially if only one her- ferent seed sources for each of these can agroforestry crops that respond to dif- bicide is used for control. In the same also create diversity. Many insects and ferent market demands are timber and way haying, or grazing at the same time diseases are host-specific and those that forage, woody decorative florals, and of year or at the same height year after attack a variety of hosts do not usually fruits for jellies and jams. year, can favor a few forage species and attack all hosts with the same voracity. inhibit others. This can lead to a more Use of a variety of plant species or even Management activities homogeneous plant population that a mixture of seed sources (still adapted Diversity in management activities would be more susceptible to insect, to your site) may interrupt one of the includes not only varying cultural, disease, and weather stresses. ]

4 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two Climate change Biomass produc- continued from page 3 tion from wood fiber removed Management adaptation strategies during forest fuel can be summarized by the 5 R’s: reduction treat- ments provides 1. Increase resistance to change. alternative energy, High-risk, high-value, and/or extremely thereby reducing urgent situations, such as critically vul- fossil fuel nerable endangered species, extreme consumption. Photo fire-risk situations, or volatile invasive by Mark Nechodom, US species epidemics, are the most appro- Forest Service priate subjects for resistance manage- ment. In such cases, using great force to armor resources against change may be the best option. This action can be to understand what change will happen tuning to current and anticipated envi- extremely expensive, consume a lot of at the scales needed by managers. Many ronments and processes is more likely time, resources, and staff effort, and types of actions can assist species, to be successful. may be only short term. Resisting ecosystems, or resources to move to new change can be risky; in many situations and adapted conditions and processes. 5. Reduce greenhouse gases and conditions will eventually become so reduce non-renewable energy use. different that a resource threshold passes The forestry sector has an enormous and resistance becomes futile. ] Assist species and resources to opportunity to reduce human influences follow changing environments. on the climate system. Reducing green- 2. Promote resilience to change. ] Anticipate and plan for associated house gases can be achieved through When a species, habitat, watershed, or risks. management actions designed to other natural resource returns to its ] Experiment creatively and learn enhance sequestration so that carbon former condition or function after dis- from experiments. stored in natural resources is retained turbance, it has “resiled." A widely ] Use redundancy. longer, emissions are lowered, and non- held, but mostly untested assumption is ] Relax genetic-management fossil fuel alternative energy is favored. that “healthy” species, forests, or guidelines. By contrast, poor management, a lack ecosystems are more resilient to change. ] Experiment with refugia. of management, or inadequate manage- Thus, preventative treatments aimed at ] Increase diversity. ment can inadvertently accelerate nega- increasing health are prescribed. As in ] Promote connected landscapes. tive effects. An example is an increasing resistance options, strategies to promote number of large catastrophic forest fires. resilience are likely to be successful only for the relatively short-term, in that 4. Realign conditions to current Today, more than ever, the demands we eventually changed climates will force and future dynamics. face exceed our capacity to mitigate new environmental conditions such For systems that have been pushed them. The conflicts among our manage- that ecological re-setting rather than (manipulated, disturbed) beyond their ment choices have higher stakes. resilience will be the “healthiest” path natural variability range, actions that Evaluating options and setting priorities promote alignment with current condi- toward adaptation. will be increasingly important. At an tions and processes may be the best overall level, we have three options for approaches for restoration rather than engaging climate-management, each 3. Enable ecosystems and returning to historic conditions. Using defensible under different scenarios. We resources to respond to change. historic range of variability and Responding to and managing change is returning habitats to pre-settlement or can do nothing (no advance planning), the most proactive of the 5 R’s pre-disturbance conditions are widely react after disturbance or extreme events approaches. This strategy assumes that a used models for ecosystem restoration, (when trajectories are often adaptively decision-maker acknowledges the but are often inappropriate because so reset under natural conditions), or we inevitability of change and adopts the much change has occurred since pre- can act proactively. ] humility that we have limited capacity disturbance times. Re-aligning or

Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two 5 Assessing land health

Lyn Townsend tently block roads and buildings in the same Forester, West National Technology Support Center, Natural Resources place almost every year, livestock stress from Conservation Service, Portland, OR high or low temperatures or mortality. If an agroforestry system exists: Have AGROFORESTRY systems can be built to achieve landowner objectives and trees or shrubs lost vigor or died from air- address resource issues. To do this sustainably, the health of the individual practices, borne contaminants or high wind speeds? the system, and the site are paramount. But, what is health? Are they poorly placed and not intercepting A healthy agroforestry system is likely “balanced” in terms of providing enough and sequestering air-driven pollutants, odor, amenities and products while maintaining or improving environmental conditions at the soil and dust? Are they too infrequent and site, and having minimum or no negative impacts on the nearby landscape. Further, it is sparse to block or reduce winds to facilitate likely free of debilitating levels of pathogens or pests and gives rise to an acceptable work around the farmstead and in fields and sense of well-being by the landowner, family, and neighbors. lessen climatic stress on livestock? Is snow Numerous quantitative and qualitative tools are available to address site-level not being intercepted and trapped by the health. Two examples to assess stream and associated riparian settings are: trees and shrubs? 1) Stream Visual Assessment Protocol – Trained conservationists conduct a quali- tative evaluation of a stream-riparian area. Up to 15 components are observed; those Water relating to riparian habitat and cover are the components most likely to be modified Are pollutants visible in or linked to streams using agroforestry practices. The protocol is available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/ on or near the property? technical/ECS/aquatic/svapfnl.pdf. Indicators: excessive sediment, thick 2) Stream*A*Syst – This assessment system is a set of materials for landowners green scum, unusual odors, trash. Have who want to learn more about managing streamside areas. The assessment is qualita- shallow or deeper aquifers been identified as tive, points to sources of professional help, and is available at http://extension. contaminated or at risk? Water well reports, oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/em/em8761/. declarations by local or state authorities Currently, no assessment techniques specifically evaluate health of agroforestry about local aquifers. systems and the landscape footprint on which they occur. Determining agroforestry If an agroforestry system exists: Have landscape health is complex and may require considerable time and an interdiscipli- trees or shrubs died or displayed low vigor nary team to evaluate site conditions. Here are six items to consider: due to water-borne contaminants such as excessive nutrients or pesticides ? Are they poorly placed and not intercepting and Soil plantings poorly complement soil manage- sequestering water-delivered surface and sub- Are the site’s soils eroding excessively from ment activities on cropland, grazing land, surface pollutants? water or wind sources? Is there only a “two- and forest land? dimensional” use of the soil's productive Animals capacity? Air Are livestock or wildlife being stressed from Indicators: rills, ephemeral gullies, wind- Are there many dusty days? Are neighbors inadequate protective cover? Are travel corri- created pedestals, wind-blown sediment in noticing odors? Are winds increasing dors between patches of tree or shrub habi- ditches or along fence lines, no trees or heating needs of farmstead buildings? Are tats disconnected? Does wildlife have inade- shrubs (their tall heights utilizing the vertical snowdrifts blocking roads and access to quate seasonal food including woody plant “third dimension”). buildings? Is wind unabated or funneled sources? Are common or desired wildlife If an agroforestry system exists: Are the through work areas? Are temperatures too reproducing poorly? practices on the site configured inefficiently high or low for livestock? Indicators: lower than normal numbers and poorly spaced inhibiting the soil’s pro- Indicators: dust in window wells or on of adults or offspring, unexpected mortality ductive capacity? Are they placed ineffec- window sills, declarations of non-attainment or behavior. tively to control soil erosion in interspersed areas (including your farm or ranch) by local If an agroforestry system exists: Are tree cropped or grazed areas during times of or state air quality authorities, vocal neigh- and shrub plantings insufficient in amount drought and flood? Do tree and shrub bors, high heating bills, snow drifts consis- and configuration to meet habitat needs? Is

6 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything

Richard Straight FS Lead Agroforester, USDA National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE

THE forestry community is afire with discussions and programs related to forest health. Many of the issues hov- An interdisciplinary team in Maryland evaluates a stream and riparian corridor ering around this issue are relevant to adjacent to cropland to determine health of this landscape setting. They are using agroforestry and in fact may be a good the Stream Visual Assessment Protocol. Photo courtesy of Lyn Townsend approach to evaluate the functioning and sustainability of agroforestry practices. complementary herbaceous habitat absent? no supplemental income from tree or Some of the more mature discussions Are the existing woody species not producing shrub products, worker irritability. of forest health and how they apply to adequate cover, habitat, and food for If an agroforestry system exists: Are agroforestry are discussed below. common and desired wildlife? Are plantings tree and shrub species ineffective in ame- In a 1998 American Forests article, disconnected and not facilitating movement liorating climatic extremes and not pro- Sampson and DeCoster described forest of wildlife on and through the site? ducing supplemental income? Are tree health as “a condition of forest ecosys- and shrub plantings haphazardly tems that sustains their complexity Plants arranged and detracting from the farm while providing for human needs.” The Are crop and grazed plants being stressed by or ranch’s aesthetic and scenic values? Society of American Foresters suggests a a lack of water or by climatic extremes? Are more lengthy definition: “the perceived fruit-bearing plants unable to produce ade- If there are many “yes” answers, condition of a forest derived from con- quately because of persistent winds or lack of reconsider the health of the enter- cerns about such factors as its age, pollination? Are crops damaged by wind or prise and the existing use, condition, structure, composition, function, vigor, crop quality diminished by wind? and arrangement of trees and shrubs. presence of unusual levels of insects or Indicators: lower than normal growth or Regardless of how questions are disease, and resilience to disturbance” production. Fruits and vegetables display answered, consider a “check up” by and it properly recognizes that “percep- bruises or blemishes. public or private planners who can do tion and interpretation of forest health If an agroforestry system exists: Are a thorough examination and provide are influenced by individual and cul- trees or shrubs in poor condition and not ideas on how to establish or improve tural viewpoints, land management growing as expected for their age and species? the effectiveness of an agroforestry objectives, spatial and temporal scales, Are the tree and shrub species poorly adapted system. the relative health of the stands that to the local climate and soils? Are they Ultimately, strategically placed comprise the forest, and the appearance located upwind of crops and forages? and healthy agroforestry systems can of the forest at a point in time.” be a practical and rewarding solution From these two definitions two Human to improving enterprise diversity, and aspects of forest health seem to con- Are costs and revenues not providing suffi- income needs or mitigating environ- found the acceptance of a universally cient and expected levels of net income? mental impacts at the site and on accepted definition: 1) people’s expecta- Does the aesthetic character of the site facili- nearby landscapes. An agroforestry tions from the forest, such as timber, tate a “sense of place” and satisfaction? Are system is not the only approach but it wildlife, clean water, and no trace of workers stressed from climatic extremes? does provide a strong complement to human activity, and 2) what scale of the Indicators: declining net revenues, one or an existing agricultural and grazing two products are the single-source income, venture. ] see Health on page 11

Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two 7 Steve Rasmussen pared, the Great Plains Tree and Forest Invasives Nebraska Forest Service Initiative ( GPI) was formed. GPI is District Forester / Great Plains one of three multi-state projects pro- Invasive Coordinator, Norfolk, NE jects that are being funded by the USDA Forest Service to address one or AN exotic beetle from Asia has four more of three national themes: Great Plains states very concerned. Since 1. Conserve working forest landscapes; it was first identified in southeast Michigan in 2. Protect forests from harm; 2002, estimates are that the emerald ash borer 3. Enhance public benefits from trees and (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) forests. has already destroyed over 30 million ash The GPI funding will allow the states to trees. EAB is a threat to all North conduct a comprehensive inventory of all American ash trees regardless of age or species of trees in rural agroforestry plantings and in communities to deter- mine areas of the highest composition of ash which would relate to EAB risk. In addition, the inventory and assessment will help the states’ forestry and other natural resource agencies better plan

This vial is from a detection kit condition. The northern plains region that is available through the four is especially vulnerable since this area state forestry agencies involved in has the highest percentage of ash of any the GPI and can be used to mail in a place in the United States. Most Great Plains suspected adult EAB for identification. communities have at least 25 percent, some up to Information for creating your own 60 percent of their tree resources being green ash detection kit is available from the author. Actual size (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Additionally, estimates Photo courtesy of Forestry Images are that over 50 percent of the agroforestry plantings on the rural landscape have a green ash component. and prepare for an arrival of EAB. GPI will also establish a EAB is present in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, citizen monitoring program and develop educational material Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Ontario, for the public and natural resource professionals on how to Canada. State and federal quarantines are in place and reduce the rate of spread of EAB and utilization options for involve significant survey, containment, and eradication oper- what promises to be a large quantity of ash wood. Perhaps the ations in affected areas with limited success. greatest value of the GPI is the creation of a transferable pro- Fortunately, EAB has not been identified in the Plains states tocol for inventorying and preparing for future invasive pest yet (Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota), infestations. For more information, contact Steve Rasmussen, though most scientists consider their arrival inevitable. In a Great Plains Initiative Coordinator at 402–375–0101 or proactive attempt to raise awareness and become better pre- [email protected] ]

8 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two Fire... a hot button for agroforestry!

Lyn Townsend agroforestry practices from being dam- direction during fire season is an Forester, West National Technology aged or killed by fire. important planning criterion for Support Center, Natural Resources Key practices and how they address locating the agroforestry practice. Conservation Service, Portland, OR these aspects are: Another tactic is planting fire- • Silvopasture – In a silvopasture resistant trees in the outer rows of HUMANS and fire have had a long system, trees and shrubs are planted, multi-row plantings near homes or on history—sometimes good, sometimes grown, and maintained on a wide the edges of small communities. not so good. According to the National spacing with an understory that is Here, the trees create a “three Interagency Fire Center, over 96,000 grazed by livestock. Fuel loads are dimensional” firebreak and could fires burned nearly 10 million acres in kept low, ladder fuels are nearly absent even catch firebrands that typically 2006. This includes wildfires, which and, should a crown fire start, the jump ahead and downwind during comprised most of the acreage, and pre- scribed fires. From 1999 to 2006, the The area or strip average wildland fire acres burned was near the road (far nearly double the average of 1960 to edge of wind- 1998—6.8 million versus 3.5 million break) will be acres, respectively! Why? The most likely maintained answers are: 1) an increase in fuel loads mechanically as an on forest and shrub lands resulting from effective firebreak a lack of active fuel management in reducing the recent decades, and 2) a change in cli- likelihood of fires mate or climate cycles. The risk of the spreading into and loss of life and property continues to through the increase as more and more people move planting. Photo into the Wildland Urban Interface courtesy of USDA NRCS (WUI)—pronounced “Wu-eee”—that fringe of wild land near suburbs or sub- urbs directly embedded into wildlands. trees are spaced widely enough to most wildfires. For row-type Fires are classed as either “uncon- inhibit crown-to-crown spread, plantings, the outer edge near a road trolled” or “wild,” or “controlled” or thereby minimizing the level of (which could be a fire-ignition point) “prescribed.” Of course, the latter can damage to the trees or to the adjacent can be maintained mechanically as an non-grazed forest land. Essentially, a effective firebreak reducing the Wildfires can be silvopasture acts as a “fuel break” likelihood of fires spreading into and devastating, but defensive with grazing livestock providing the through the planting. A design agroforestry practices and built-in annual understory fuel criterion to consider for selecting trees management. and shrubs, particularly shrubs, are strategic design criteria • Riparian forest buffers, windbreaks, choosing those species with capability can be crucial alley cropping, multi-story to resprout after fire. Even though the management tools to cropping – These agroforestry damage has been done, at least the reduce wildfire risk. practices are effective fire control shrub can regenerate quickly using techniques when fire-resistant plant the existing root system. species, such as many native Wildfires can be devastating, but become the former with unexpected deciduous or succulent-leaf trees, are defensive agroforestry practices and high winds or lack of preparation. Fire used and the planting is strategically strategic design criteria can be crucial relates to agroforestry in two ways: by located so that it can prevent or at management tools to reduce wildfire using agroforestry practices to control least stall the spread of fire from one risk and, if fire occurs, minimize the buffer against wildfire, and by protecting area to another. Prevailing wind damage. ]

Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two 9 Agroforestry and the rural-urban interface

Kimberly Stuhr Technology Transfer Specialist / Inside Agroforestry Editor, USDA National Agroforestry Center, Lincoln, NE

THE American landscape has changed dramatically over the past one hundred years. People continue to claim land and threats to agroforestry health build homes in the outlying fringe of rural and metropolitan areas. This demographic shift is increasing the size of the “rural-urban interface,” where homes and other structures meet Wildlife can cause significant damage to trees and rural agricultural land or natural areas. 1 shrubs, primarily by feeding on leaves, stems and When development takes place we are challenged with man- twigs, especially in the early establishment stage. aging the negative impacts while still facilitating the benefits. Strategically located agroforestry plantings can help offset the Herbicide drift from nearby agricultural activities can negative consequences of development. 2 be a one-time or chronic problem that can reduce pro- ductivity and functionality of agroforestry practices. Green infrastructure Competition from weeds and undesirable grasses Leaving or developing a network of green corridors, like 3 can significantly stunt agroforesty growth and riparian forest buffers and windbreaks, minimizes disturbance reduce vigor. to natural areas. This helps control soil erosion along stream banks and roadsides and maintains hydrological flows. Invasive pests such as emerald ash borer and gypsy “Ecobelts,” trees and other vegetation strategically located in moth can be very destructive and even kill valuable 4 the physical space between agriculture and cities, help mitigate trees in agroforestry practices. the conflicting lifestyles of urban and country dwellers. Seasonal or long-term drought can weaken trees and 5 shrubs making them susceptible to insect and diseases. Wildlife habitat While some animals are generalists when it comes to food and In minutes, a wildfire can destroy agroforestry habitat others are highly specialized and may be restricted to practices that took 20 years to develop and another 6 feeding on several or a single native plant species or require the 20 years to regain the same level of benefits. freedom to move across the landscape. The trees, shrubs, and Urban development can increase the frequency other plants in agroforestry plantings can help mitigate the loss 7 and intensity of flooding events, can be a source of of wildlife habitat. invasive weeds, and even cause the removal of agroforestry practices. Biodiversity Residential development displaces native plant and animal Uncontrolled livestock can graze, browse or species and degrades unique and diverse biological resources. trample young trees and shrubs, keeping them 8 Agroforestry practices can mimic natural ecological processes from performing their intended benefits. like plant community succession. Incorporating native species Economic pressures for short-term investments into agroforestry facilitates native plant-animal associations 9 and high cash flow demands may lead to removal such as pollination, seed dispersal, and food. of agroforestry practices in order to increase acres of production. Public safety The increasing number of widely dispersed homes and structures Climatic factors can cause native insects or diseases creates problems for access of emergency vehicles. Agroforestry to become a serious problem which creates stress 10 practices like living snowfences can help keep roadways open for for trees and shrubs. emergency vehicles and reduce blowing dust and snow. ]

10 Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two Health continued from page 7

forest is under discussion (plantation, Placement of this county, state, or ecotype). For the pur- Iowa windbreak poses of agroforestry health discussions, protects the we are most likely concerned with the farmstead from site scale and expectations are generally troublesome winds limited to a discussion of landowner and traps snow. objectives for establishing the agro- The habitat it forestry practice or system. provides is Sometimes it helps to understand an connected to the issue by looking at what it is not. In riparian area on other words, what does an unhealthy the left (off of the forest look like? E.L. Barnard, Forest photo). Photo courtesy Pathologist with the Florida Division of of USDA NRCS Forestry says: “In fact, more often than not, catastrophic wildfires and southern pine beetle outbreaks are simply fevers and sweats, symptoms of unhealthy Field windbreak planning: an example forests, not the cause of same. To the A SIMPLE field windbreak planning public that, should it enter the state, More often than not, scenario that keeps agroforestry health emerald ash borer is a potential threat. catastrophic wildfires and in mind might look something like this: Consequently, native ash trees will not “ A landowner is interested in be used; instead honeylocust, hack- southern pine beetle reducing soil wind erosion, increasing berry, and bur oak will be planted, outbreaks are simply fevers wildlife habitat for hunting, and per- along with Rocky Mountain juniper and sweats, symptoms of haps creating a small business opportu- and Norway spruce. The diverse selec- unhealthy forests, not the nity for his children so that they can tion of species will help ensure that no cause of same.” E.L. learn the value of money, a day’s work, one disease or insect will threaten the and responsibility. entire windbreak system. Barnard, forest pathologist The crop field is currently under a To accommodate hunting and the conservation plan that utilizes crop small business objectives, an additional extent that unhealthy forests and forest residue as a key tool in controlling soil row of fruit bearing native shrubs, like conditions remain, and to the extent that wind erosion, however the landowner American plum and chokecherry, will we focus on treating symptoms (e.g., recognizes that unpredictable weather be added to two of the broadleaf tree killing beetles, putting out fires) while and dry years may reduce crop residues, windbreaks. These shrubs will provide neglecting the underlying cause(s) of the allowing soil to blow. cover for migratory songbirds, food for problems (i.e., unhealthy forest condi- A system of one- or two-row wind- nesting songbirds, and a source of fruit tions), we can expect more damaging breaks will be designed to reduce wind for the children to harvest for making wildfires and more pest outbreaks.” erosion even when crop residue is jam or jelly. At least one of the wind- So, if we can determine what condi- missing. For the most part, native trees breaks with the shrubs will be near the tions prevent insect, disease, or fire and shrubs that are adapted to the site farmstead windbreak to make it easier related problems, we are well on the way will be used to encourage healthy plants to access the fruit harvest and to serve to defining a healthy forest. that are more resilient to stresses out in as a wildlife travel corridor between the Taking these concepts into considera- the open field. farmstead and the nearby slough. ] tion when planning and designing agro- The state forestry agency and exten- forestry practices should lead us to appli- sion service have been informing the cations that both meet the landowner’s objectives and are resistant to distur- bances that would reduce benefits. ]

Inside Agroforestry | Volume 17 Issue Two 11 Upcoming Events

July 26 – 30, 2008 Agriculture and Forest Crops.” For more upcoming events, visit our Soil & Water Conservation Society Bloomington, MN. For more website calendar: www.unl.edu/nac/ Annual Conference. Tuscon, AZ. For information: www.cinram.umn.edu/ calendar.htm. more information: www.swcs.org/en/ srwc/index.html conferences/2008_annual_ conference/ September 9 – 11, 2008 Great Plains Riparian Forest August 18 – 22, 2008 Management Summit. Sioux Falls, SD. Short Rotation Crops International For more information: www.unl.edu/ Conference: “Biofuels, Bioenergy, and nac/Riparian_Summit.htm Bioproducts from Sustainable

Mission Policy The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a partnership of USDA policy prohibits discrimination the Forest Service (Research & Development and State & Private because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping “Inside Agroforestry” is published three times per year by the Forestry) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It is condition. Any person who believes he USDA National Agroforestry Center. Phone: 402–437– administered by the Forest Service, Southern Research Station; and or she has been discriminated against in 5178; Fax: 402–437–5712. its program manager and headquarters are located in Huntsville, AL, on the campus of Alabama A&M University, while NAC’s staff are any USDA-related activity should • Greg Ruark, NAC Program Manager (256–372–4540) located at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE; University of immediately contact the Secretary of • Michele Schoeneberger, FS Research Lead (ext. 4021) Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. • Richard Straight, FS Lead Agroforester (ext. 4024) Idaho, Moscow, ID; and in Blacksburg, VA. NAC’s purpose is to Opinions expressed in “Inside • Bruce Wight, NRCS Lead Agroforester (ext. 4036) accelerate the development and application of agroforestry technolo- • Kimberly Stuhr, Technology Transfer Specialist/ gies to attain more economically, environmentally, and socially sus- Agroforestry” are those of the author “Inside Agroforestry” Editor (ext. 4013) tainable land use systems. To accomplish its mission, NAC interacts and do not necessarily represent the • Ryan Dee, Technology Transfer Assistant/ with a national network of partners and cooperators to conduct policy of the USDA Forest Service and “Inside Agroforestry” Designer (ext. 4014) research, develop technologies and tools, establish demonstrations, the USDA Natural Resources www.unl.edu/nac and provide useful information to natural resource professionals. Conservation Service.

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