Publication - Hardwood intercropping systems : combining wood and agricultural production while delivering environmental services
Titre en anglais
Hardwood intercropping systems : combining wood and agricultural production while delivering environmental services
Numéro de publication
11208E
Année de publication
2010
Adresse URL
Auteur(s)
Organisation
Sujet(s)
Type
PDF électronique
Coût
Publication gratuite
Langue
Anglais
Région
Québec
Aussi disponible en :
État
Disponible
Pages
1-12
ISBN
978-1-100-15446-6
Numéro de catalogue
A42-108/2010E-PDF
Sommaire en anglais
The evolution of agriculture in eastern Canada over the past half-century has been characterized by a spectacular gain in productivity with, in many cases, a concurrent but gradual exclusion of trees from croplands, particularly because of large farm mechanization. Combined with the intensification of agriculture, this decrease in forest area has resulted in a variety of environmental problems, including decreases in soil fertility, soil erosion, an increase in diffuse pollution and a reduction in biodiversity, all of which has resulted in an overall loss in terms of the quality of the rural landscape. In this context, the re-establishment of the tree as a fundamental element of the agricultural agro-ecosystem seems like one judicious solution to mitigating the impacts of intensive agriculture. Experiments conducted in eastern Canada and other temperate regions of the world have shown that intercropping systems (ICS) constitute a promising avenue for strategically reintroducing the ecological functions of the tree into an agricultural environment. Planting hardwood trees in such systems can also meet the need to increase the production of quality wood that is indispensable to the wood-processing and furniture-manufacturing industries, while at the same time delivering a variety of positive environmental services.
This factsheet provides an overview of various types of temperate ICS observed in Canada and around the world and an account of current knowledge with respect to their productivity and associated environmental benefits. The technical itinerary necessary for the development of a successful intercropping system is then discussed : choice of tree species, their spacing, maintenance, and choice of crops and their management.
This factsheet provides an overview of various types of temperate ICS observed in Canada and around the world and an account of current knowledge with respect to their productivity and associated environmental benefits. The technical itinerary necessary for the development of a successful intercropping system is then discussed : choice of tree species, their spacing, maintenance, and choice of crops and their management.