Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia
This paper discusses the effects of trees on soil fertility, with a focus on agricultural systems in Amazonia. Relevant literature concerning the effects of trees on soil physical and chemical properties in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions is reviewed, covering both natural ecosystems an...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/616383 |
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| _version_ | 1832554360002838528 |
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| author | Rachel C. Pinho Robert P. Miller Sonia S. Alfaia |
| author_facet | Rachel C. Pinho Robert P. Miller Sonia S. Alfaia |
| author_sort | Rachel C. Pinho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper discusses the effects of trees on soil fertility, with a focus on agricultural systems in Amazonia. Relevant literature concerning the effects of trees on soil physical and chemical properties in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions is reviewed, covering both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. Soil carbon, in the form of organic matter, is considered as an indicator of biological activity as well as in relation to policy issues such as carbon sequestration and climate change. In the case of tropical soils and Amazonia, information on the effects of trees on soils is discussed in the context of traditional agriculture systems, as well as in regard to the development of more sustainable agricultural alternatives for the region. Lastly, attention is given to a case study in the savanna region of Roraima, northern Brazil, where a chronosequence of indigenous homegarden agroforestry systems showed clear effects of management practices involving trees on soil fertility. The use of diverse tree species and other practices employed in agroforestry systems can represent alternative forms of increasing soil fertility and maintaining agricultural production, with important practical applications for the sustainability of tropical agriculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6d83b6f6374346899b7fa046de0d410e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-7667 1687-7675 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-6d83b6f6374346899b7fa046de0d410e2025-02-03T05:51:40ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752012-01-01201210.1155/2012/616383616383Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from AmazoniaRachel C. Pinho0Robert P. Miller1Sonia S. Alfaia2National Institute for Research in Amazon, INPA/CPCA, Agrarian Sciences Research Center, Avenue André Araújo, 69038-000 Manaus, AM, BrazilUnited Nations Development Program, (PNUD), Cj SHIS QI 25 Cj 03 C, 71640-220 Brasília, DF, BrazilNational Institute for Research in Amazon, INPA/CPCA, Agrarian Sciences Research Center, Avenue André Araújo, 69038-000 Manaus, AM, BrazilThis paper discusses the effects of trees on soil fertility, with a focus on agricultural systems in Amazonia. Relevant literature concerning the effects of trees on soil physical and chemical properties in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions is reviewed, covering both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. Soil carbon, in the form of organic matter, is considered as an indicator of biological activity as well as in relation to policy issues such as carbon sequestration and climate change. In the case of tropical soils and Amazonia, information on the effects of trees on soils is discussed in the context of traditional agriculture systems, as well as in regard to the development of more sustainable agricultural alternatives for the region. Lastly, attention is given to a case study in the savanna region of Roraima, northern Brazil, where a chronosequence of indigenous homegarden agroforestry systems showed clear effects of management practices involving trees on soil fertility. The use of diverse tree species and other practices employed in agroforestry systems can represent alternative forms of increasing soil fertility and maintaining agricultural production, with important practical applications for the sustainability of tropical agriculture.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/616383 |
| spellingShingle | Rachel C. Pinho Robert P. Miller Sonia S. Alfaia Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| title | Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia |
| title_full | Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia |
| title_fullStr | Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia |
| title_short | Agroforestry and the Improvement of Soil Fertility: A View from Amazonia |
| title_sort | agroforestry and the improvement of soil fertility a view from amazonia |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/616383 |
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