# agroforestry > land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland **Wikidata**: [Q397350](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q397350) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agroforestry) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/agroforestry ## Summary Agroforestry is a land use management system where trees or shrubs are grown alongside crops or pastureland, combining forestry and agriculture. It is a form of polyculture that integrates multiple species in a single plot, enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. This practice includes specialized techniques like shade-grown coffee and silvopasture, and is studied as an academic discipline with organizations like the World Agroforestry Centre supporting its development. ## Key Facts - Agroforestry is a land use management system that integrates trees or shrubs with crops or pastureland. - It is a subclass of polyculture, which involves simultaneous planting of multiple crops in the same area. - Agroforestry is closely related to forestry, the science of managing forests for human and environmental benefits. - Shade-grown coffee is a specific agroforestry practice where coffee is cultivated under a tree canopy. - Mycoforestry is a permaculture-based agroforestry system that uses fungi for forest management. - Silvopasture involves grazing animals in wooded areas, combining forestry and livestock farming. - Syntropic agriculture is a design methodology for agroforestry practices developed by Ernst Gotsch. - Agroforestry is studied as an academic discipline, with research institutions like the World Agroforestry Centre (founded in 1978) advancing its practices. - Afforestation, the establishment of forests in previously treeless areas, is a component of agroforestry. - Agroforestry includes techniques like alley-cropping, where crops are grown between tree rows. - The World Agroforestry Centre, with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and Nairobi, Kenya, has 783 employees. - Agroforestry is classified under the academic field of study and is associated with forest farming and agro-sylviculture. - The term "agroforestry" is also used in German as "agro-silvikultur." - Agroforestry has been studied and documented in various academic and professional contexts, with references in scientific literature and databases. ## FAQs **What is the difference between agroforestry and polyculture?** Agroforestry is a specific form of polyculture that integrates trees or shrubs with crops or pastureland, whereas polyculture generally refers to the simultaneous planting of multiple crops in the same area without necessarily involving trees. **How does agroforestry benefit the environment?** Agroforestry enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and promotes sustainable land use by combining forestry and agricultural practices in a single system. **What are some examples of agroforestry techniques?** Examples include shade-grown coffee, silvopasture, and alley-cropping, where crops are grown between tree rows. **Who studies agroforestry?** Agroforestry is studied as an academic discipline, with organizations like the World Agroforestry Centre supporting its research and development. **What is the role of the World Agroforestry Centre in agroforestry?** The World Agroforestry Centre, founded in 1978, is a predecessor organization of CIFOR ICRAF and plays a key role in advancing agroforestry practices through research and collaboration. ## Why It Matters Agroforestry is significant because it promotes sustainable land use by integrating trees with crops or pastureland, enhancing biodiversity and soil health. It addresses environmental challenges by providing a more resilient and productive agricultural system. The practice is supported by academic research and organizations like the World Agroforestry Centre, which work to advance its techniques and applications. Agroforestry also contributes to food security and climate resilience by optimizing land use and reducing environmental impact. ## Notable For - Combining forestry and agriculture in a single system to enhance sustainability. - Including specialized techniques like shade-grown coffee and silvopasture. - Being studied as an academic discipline with research institutions supporting its development. - Integrating multiple species in a single plot, promoting biodiversity and productivity. - Advancing through organizations like the World Agroforestry Centre, which has a key role in its research and application. ## Body ### Definition and Scope Agroforestry is a land use management system that integrates trees or shrubs with crops or pastureland, enhancing sustainability and productivity. It is a subclass of polyculture, which involves simultaneous planting of multiple crops in the same area. Agroforestry is closely related to forestry, the science of managing forests for human and environmental benefits. ### Techniques and Practices Agroforestry includes various techniques, such as shade-grown coffee, where coffee is cultivated under a tree canopy, and silvopasture, which involves grazing animals in wooded areas. Mycoforestry is a permaculture-based agroforestry system that uses fungi for forest management. Syntropic agriculture is a design methodology for agroforestry practices developed by Ernst Gotsch. Alley-cropping is another technique where crops are grown between tree rows. ### Academic and Research Context Agroforestry is studied as an academic discipline, with research institutions like the World Agroforestry Centre supporting its development. The World Agroforestry Centre, founded in 1978, is a predecessor organization of CIFOR ICRAF and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization has 783 employees and plays a key role in advancing agroforestry practices through research and collaboration. ### Environmental and Agricultural Benefits Agroforestry enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and promotes sustainable land use by combining forestry and agricultural practices in a single system. It addresses environmental challenges by providing a more resilient and productive agricultural system. Agroforestry also contributes to food security and climate resilience by optimizing land use and reducing environmental impact. ### Classification and Terminology Agroforestry is classified under the academic field of study and is associated with forest farming and agro-sylviculture. The term "agroforestry" is also used in German as "agro-silvikultur." Agroforestry has been studied and documented in various academic and professional contexts, with references in scientific literature and databases. ### Related Entities and Components Afforestation, the establishment of forests in previously treeless areas, is a component of agroforestry. Agroforestry is related to academic disciplines and organizations that support its research and development. The World Agroforestry Centre is a key organization in advancing agroforestry practices through research and collaboration. ## References 1. Iowa State University Library Vocabularies 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Quora 4. ASC Leiden Thesaurus dataset of 5 June 2018 5. [Source](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/australian-and-new-zealand-standard-research-classification-anzsrc/2020#data-downloads) 6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 7. KBpedia 8. [Source](https://vocabs.ardc.edu.au/viewById/316) 9. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)