Chapter 3

Trees: A Keystone Role in Agroecosystem Function: An Update

R.R.B. Leakey

Abstract

This update presents a growing body of additional studies that examine the dynamic interactions of organisms in agroforestry systems and in landscapes. Understanding the roles of this biodiversity is critical to an understanding of how to manage agroecosystems sustainably in ways that give them a unique advantage over the rather prescribed land-management practices of conventional modern farming systems. We also see here growing recognition that to address and reverse the undesirable outputs of many farming systems it is necessary to embrace Homo sapiens within the functioning of intensive agroecosystems.

Keywords

Agroforestry; agroecosystem function; biodiversity; ...

Get Multifunctional Agriculture now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.