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...

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Main Authors Rosenstock, T.S, Tully, K.L, Arias-Navarro, C, Neufeldt, H, Butterbach-Bahl, K, Verchot, L.V
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 15.02.2014
Subjects
AGROFORESTRY
SUSTAINABILITY
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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.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2013.09.001
http://hdl.handle.net/10568/33916