Photo by João HN Palma
Greece
Photo by Michael den Herder
Italy
Northern Ireland
Portugal. by João Palma
Bedfordshire, UK
South Portugal (by João HN Palma, ISA-UL)
Spain. Photo by: Adolfo Rosati
Photo by Michael den Herder
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Why restore ancient waterways?
In the past, flood-prone lowlands in Germany were adapted for agricultural land use through the installation of small waterways to improve drainage. The excess sediment from the waterways was used to develop raised areas. Planting trees on these elevated areas resulted in the development of a small-scale mosaic agroforestry system, rich in biodiversity.
Why invisible fencing?
Invisible fencing is an innovation that allows the control of cattle movement without needing physical barriers. In open areas, cattle can be fitted with a Geographical Positioning System (GPS) which will signal when a cow approaches a boundary.
Under trees in a wood pasture, due to the intermittent GPS signal, an alternative method is to bury an electric cable in the soil surface that emits a shortwave radio signal which is sensed by a transponder on a cattle collar. The transponder emits a noise as a cow approaches the boundary and, if she does not turn back, it provides an electric pulse similar to an electric fence. At Epping Forest, each collar also includes a GPS sensor which helps to locate the cattle.
Why bocage agroforestry today?
In Brittany, the main period for creating the bocage landscape stretched from late 18th Century to early 20th Century. The hedgerows drew on the discontinuities of limits of ownership or use, while delivering fuel and timber wood for local and regional use. During the last 50 years, agricultural and broader rural changes have led to the deconstruction of the bocage and to the loss of ecological functions it provides.
Silvopasture quality and productivity
In silvopastoral systems, light interception affects productivity of flora beneath the canopy in various ways. In general, herbage production decreases with reduced light intensity. Thus, the use of shade tolerant cultivars of selected species can play an important role in successful silvopastoral management.
Due to their nitrogen fixing ability, the incorporation of shade tolerant legume species may have a special role in increasing the quality and productivity of silvopastures and in enhancing soil fertility.
Why sustain valonia oak agroforestry systems?
Two valonia oak systems are present in Greece: ancient open forests (silvopastoral systems) and agricultural fields with valonia oak trees (agro-silvopastoral systems). Both have significant socio-economic, ecological and cultural value. They provide ecosystem services and support traditional uses including, grazing, acorn cup and nut collection, harvesting wood (for shipbuilding, firewood and charcoal) and collection of aromatic and medicinal plants.
Why use trees on grazed areas?
Why manage shrub encroachment in cork oak montado?
Why do we need to support tree regeneration?
Dehesas and Montados are very suitable for pasture production. However, livestock grazing hampers the natural regeneration of the tree layer, especially in areas with challenging soil and climate conditions. Seed predation by domestic and wild animals, abiotic stresses (drought, high summer temperatures and infertile soils), and the lack of suitable microsites for seed germination are major impediments to seedling establishment and survival.
Why holistic management?
The increased demand for meat is driven by a rising human population, and a dramatic growth in meat consumption per person. Farmers and scientists have sought to curb the adverse environmental impacts of livestock by increasing production efficiency, and reducing its contribution to human consumption. Reduction in livestock feed components, which compete with human food crop production, is one approach to mitigating negative environmental impacts and strengthening future food security.