Agroforestry: A Supplementary Tool for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Abstract

Biodiversity loss and climate change are the major global problems threating livelihoods in developing countries. Agroforestry as an integrated land use system has been proved to reduce these problems. However, contributions of agroforestry for conservation of flora and fauna biodiversity and reduction climate change impacts faced empirical evidence. This paper aimed to provide empirical information on role of agroforestry for conservation of flora and fauna biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The result reveled that agroforestry has played a greater role for conservation of fauna and native flora diversity and mitigation of CO₂ than monocroping and open cereal based agriculture but less than natural forest. The tree components of agroforestry are important for biodiversity conservation, CO₂ sequestration and climate change adaptation. CO₂ sequestration through above and ground biomass, offsetting CO₂ emission from deforestation and microclimate modification are major climate change mitigation effect. Provision of numerous ecosystem services such as food, fodder and fuel wood, income source, enhancing soil productivity, protecting pest and increased resistance to diseases help community to sustain changing climate effects.. Hence, considerable attentions need to be given to agroforestry to contribute considerable benefit in conservation of biodiversity, and climate change mitigation and adaptation next to forest.

Keywords:  Agroforestry, flora and fauna diversity, mitigation of CO₂, ecosystem services.

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-19-07

Publication date:October 31^st 2019