140 research outputs found
The role of sustainable agroforestry practices and food consumption to prevent tropical deforestation and increase ecosystem services
No full textTropical forests harbor most of global terrestrial biodiversity and provide
essential ecosystem services, although they have been largely replaced
by agricultural activities. Amazon is the largest tropical forest remaining,
and cattle ranching and soybean cultivation are by far the greater drivers
of deforestation, that together with other few commodities constitutes
the main products responsible for the imported deforestation caused by
European countries. Agroforestry systems and sustainable intensification
are pointed out as solutions to conciliate food production with environmental
conservation, thus reviewing the results of studies comparing these
practices against conventional ones are needed. We performed a systematic
review of papers assessing the effects of cattle ranching and soybean
cultivation on Amazon deforestation as well as performed a meta-analysis
on the effects of sustainable practices on different ecosystem services.
Our results highlight the negative impacts of cattle ranching and soybean
crops on the ecosystem dynamics and functionality of the Amazon biome,
also due to speculative economical mechanisms. Our meta-analysis indicated
a huge gap of knowledge of empirical studies comparing sustainable
and conventional practices, with just 13 studies meeting the requirements
for inclusion. The overall model comparing the ecosystem services provided
in conventional land-uses and those adopting sustainable practices
indicated a non-significant effect. Such result was due to the negative effect
found on the few studies assessing crop yield and herbage biomass, a
pattern also found in a European meta-analysis. However, livestock productivity,
soil organic carbon, soil fertility and woody biomass were positively
affected, indicating a wider beneficial effect. Our review also shed light
on the responsibilities in the consumption of many food products that are
the cause of tropical deforestation. In conclusion, we discuss challenges
and opportunities to advance research into the real effects of sustainable
practices to conciliate agriculture and tropical forests conservation
Growth Pattern and Architecture in Quercus Ilex L. and Fraxinus Ornus L. Vegetative Regeneration After Coppicing in Maremma Nature Park (Central Italy)
No full textThe growth pattern and architecture of Quercus ilex L. and Fraxinus ornus L. resprouting after coppicing has been study to test the space occupation dynamics by the new meta-population of shoots. In the early years after coppicing, Fraxinus ornus L. rapidly occupies the vertical space by long spring flushes, while Quercus ilex L. occupies both the vertical and horizontal available space by a complex apical architecture of primary meristems. The two different behaviors have been interpreted as strategic resilience response of the species to environmental disturbances
Could cattle ranching and soybean cultivation be sustainable? A systematic review and a meta-analysis for the Amazon
No full textTropical forests are being destroyed to make space for agricultural activities with the assumption that they are required to feed the growing global population. Consequently, more sustainable practices are needed to guarantee food security and environmental protection of highly threatened natural biodiversity hotspots like the Amazon rainforest. Cattle ranching and soybean cultivation are by far the greater drivers of land use change and deforestation in the Amazon region. We performed a systematic review of papers related to these two main drivers and a meta-analysis on the effects of sustainable practices on different ecosystem services. The results of the review highlight a large concern about the negative impacts of cattle ranching and soybean crops on the ecosystem dynamics and functionality of the Amazon biome, in addition to the clear relationship with deforestation. Another relevant finding is the large gap in empirical research concerning the effects of sustainable practices on different ecosystem services. Such a gap is evident since only 13 studies from the initial database met the requirements for a meta-analysis. Of the 171 comparisons between the ecosystem services provided in conventional land-uses and those adopting sustainable practices, the overall model indicated a non-significant effect, although the results were heterogeneous. Crop yield and herbage biomass were negatively affected, while livestock productivity, soil organic carbon, soil fertility and woody biomass were positively affected. Also, the six sustainable practices evaluated showed different outcomes, from a predominance of positive effects in silvopastoral systems, to a predominance of negative effects on agrosilvicultural systems. Our systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that cattle ranching and soybean cultivation can indeed be conducted in a more sustainable way, enhancing the provision of ecosystem services while avoiding deforestation. In turn, our results also highlight the lack of empirical data and the need to standardize the methodologies used to deeply assess the effects of such practices. In conclusion, we suggest a way to advance research into the real effects of sustainable practices aimed at reducing the negative impacts of cattle ranching and soybean crops in the Amazon
Urban and Peri-urban Agroforestry as Multifunctional Land Use
No full textIn this era of global changes, rapid urbanization rates, climate change impacts and growing socio-environmental concerns are negatively impacting on various aspects of urban life, such as human health and well-being, urban economy stability, biodiversity levels, land productivity and natural resources availability. In this context, cities - having become the main centres of consumption and production worldwide - need to move towards more sustainable and resilient urban development models, considering novel approaches aimed at integrating grey and green infrastructure, economic growth and environmental concerns, knowledge diffusion and poverty and hunger eradication. In this regard, the implementation of urban and peri-urban agroforestry (UPAF) systems - associated with the integration of urban food systems into urban planning - can greatly support the provision of ecosystem services to urban dwellers, thus contributing to the improvement of their livelihood through increased food and nutrition security, energy and fresh water availability, regulation of local climate, carbon sequestration, maintenance of genetic diversity, recreation opportunities and health improvement. In this sense, UPAF is emerging as a new urban practice addressed to promote sustainable land use as well as the integration between urban and rural development. However, its implementation in urban contexts presents several key challenges, such as land tenure conflicts, lack of integration with urban policies and plans and technical knowledge, as well as necessity of innovative governance models. In this context, the aim of this chapter is to outline, through a review of the relevant literature and case studies from both developed and developing countries, the benefits deriving from the implementation of UPAF systems and highlight how these practices can support the improvement of urban sustainability and resilience, particularly in terms of enhancement of provisioning, cultural, regulating and supporting ecosystem services
Transforming Biocities
No full textThis edited volume centers around the concept of BioCities, which aim to unify nature and urban spaces in order to reverse the effects of global climate change and inequity. Following this principle, the authors propose multiple approaches for sustainable city growth. The discussed concepts are not only relevant for newly constructed cities, but offer transformative perspectives for existing settlements as well.
Placing nature at the forefront of city planning is not an entirely new concept, so the authors build on established ideas like the garden city, green city, eco-city, or smart city. All chapters aim to highlight aspects to develop a city that is a resilient nature-based socio-ecological system. Many of these concepts were formed in an effort to copy the best traits of a forest ecosystem: a home for many different species that build complex communities. Much like many of our forests, urban areas are managed by humans for multifunctional purposes, using living and abiotic components. This viewpoint helps to understand the potential and limitations of sustainable growth
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