Agroforestry Futures

Project Summary:

Agroforestry Futures

Agriculture uses more than 70% of the land in the UK and is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Therefore, any nature-based solutions to climate change, such as tree planting, must include the agricultural sector.

Agroforestry, where trees are deliberately combined with agriculture on the same piece of land, is one alternative land use that maintains food production but can also drive down emissions, deliver key ecosystem services, and create and improve rural livelihoods.

Agroforestry Futures examines the integration of trees into farming systems to balance food production with environmental benefits. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, the project investigates cultural, behavioral, economic, ecological, and environmental factors impacting agroforestry adoption.

How?

Researchers are working to understand what society wants in the future from UK forests, whether we can adapt our trees and forests to tackle climate change, the impact of agroforestry on ecosystems, and how best to engage farmers and other stakeholders in the process. Key activities include:

• Co-designing solutions with farmers and local communities through interviews and surveys, and utilising archival records of UK landscapes.
• Exploring citizen preferences and their knowledge of agroforestry and environmental goals.
• Assessing the socio-economic and ecosystem impacts of agroforestry through modelling to inform policy and planning.

This comprehensive approach provides actionable insights for promoting agroforestry as a sustainable dual-benefit practice.