Cover Image
QR Code

Agroforestry with N2-fixing trees: Sustainable development's friend or foe?

Legume tree-based farming systems sit at a crucial nexus of agroecological sustainability. Their capacity to support microbial N2 fixation can increase soil nitrogen (N) availability and therefore improve soil fertility, crop yields, and support long-term stewardship of natural resources. However, i...

Full description

Main Authors: Rosenstock, Todd S., Tully, Katherine L., Arias Navarro, Cristina, Neufeldt, Henry, Butterbach-Bahl, Klaus, Verchot, Louis V.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2014
Subjects:
agroforestry
sustainability
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/33916
Summary:Legume tree-based farming systems sit at a crucial nexus of agroecological sustainability. Their capacity to support microbial N2 fixation can increase soil nitrogen (N) availability and therefore improve soil fertility, crop yields, and support long-term stewardship of natural resources. However, increasing N availability oftentimes catalyzes the release of N into the surrounding environment, in particular nitrous oxide (N2O) — a potent greenhouse gas. We summarize current knowledge on the agroecological footprint of legume-based agroforestry and provide a first appraisal of whether the technology represents a pathway toward sustainable development or an environmental hazard.

Similar Items