Trying to Feed the World without Destroying it: The Problems with Modern Agriculture and the Potential of Agroforestry as Part of the Solution

Abstract

Abstract Industrial agriculture is an important driver in climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion by removing itself from ecological principles of circularity – i.e. away from a system of equal inputs and outputs – and instead focusing primarily on short term profits. Here, agroforestry is provided as a framework to help mitigate the environmental impacts of industrial agriculture: via its carbon sequestration potential; via its ability to provide habitat for important species; and via its ability to improve soil functionality and structure. In addition, agroforestry may improve the climate resilience of agricultural systems, for example by regulating temperature, nutrient and water cycles, and providing means of pest control. This perspective first provides a partial problem analysis of industrial agriculture. It then utilizes a literature review of agroforestry, to help determine the extent to which agroforestry can help lessen the impacts of food production upon the environment. Based upon this analysis, this review concludes that agroforestry practices, such as silvopasture and buffer strips, are economically viable and can be used within agricultural systems to promote biodiversity and soil quality, whilst reducing climate impact. However, policy change, education and knowledge sharing will be required for the realization of large scale agroforestry practices.

Layman Summary The purpose of this study was to identify the environmental benefits that agroforestry may provide, and how agroforestry may be implemented into agricultural systems. First, a problem analysis of industrial agriculture was conducted, in order to clearly define the main problems in this system with regards to climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Then, a literature review of agroforestry was conducted, where agroforestry is defined as the purposeful planting of trees and shrubs within farming systems. Intensive agriculture is today damaging to the environment, and solutions are required: here, agroforestry is proposed as a partial solution. Agroforestry systems provide direct environmental benefits, such as: promoting biodiversity via the provision of increased habitat and resources; slowing climate change by carbon sequestration; improving soil quality by reducing soil erosion and via the addition of nutrients and soil carbon. Agroforestry may further promote environmental benefits indirectly: for example, agricultural systems may require less artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Agroforestry has been identified as an economically viable system, that is relatively easy to establish, promotes good yields whilst also providing many environmental benefits. Agroforestry has therefore been recommended as a tool to use in agricultural systems to help lower the environmental impacts of agriculture.