Unit 660: Agroforestry and Climate Change

1. Introduction to Climate Change

1.1 Causes of Climate Change

• Greenhouse gas emissions: CO2, methane, nitrous oxide
• Human activities: deforestation, fossil fuel combustion, agriculture

1.2 Effects on the Environment

• Rising global temperatures
• Changes in precipitation patterns
• Increased frequency of extreme weather events

1.3 Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

• Crop yield variability and losses
• Soil degradation and water scarcity
• Threats to food availability, access, and utilization

2. Agroforestry Systems

2.1 Principles of Agroforestry

• Integration of trees, shrubs, crops, and livestock
• Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Sustainable land use and resource management

2.2 Common Agroforestry Practices

• Alley cropping
• Silvopasture
• Windbreaks and shelterbelts
• Home gardens

2.3 Benefits of Agroforestry

• Soil fertility improvement
• Erosion control
• Microclimate regulation

3. Carbon Sequestration in Agroforestry

3.1 Mechanisms of Carbon Sequestration

• Photosynthesis and biomass accumulation
• Soil organic carbon enhancement

3.2 Role of Agroforestry in Climate Change Mitigation

• Carbon storage potential compared to monoculture systems
• Contribution to reducing atmospheric CO2

3.3 Biodiversity Promotion

• Habitat provision for flora and fauna
• Enhancing ecosystem resilience

4. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Agroforestry

4.1 Definition and Goals of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)

• Increasing productivity sustainably
• Adapting and building resilience to climate change
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

4.2 Integration of Agroforestry with CSA

• Diversifying production systems
• Water and soil conservation techniques
• Use of drought-resistant tree species

4.3 Techniques and Strategies

• Improved crop-tree-livestock combinations
• Agroforestry-based water management
• Use of technology and decision support tools

5. Agroforestry for Food Security

5.1 Contributions to Food Availability

• Diversified food products: fruits, nuts, fodder
• Year-round production stability

5.2 Nutrition and Dietary Benefits

• Enhanced micronutrient availability
• Improved diet diversity

5.3 Livelihoods and Economic Resilience

• Income diversification
• Risk reduction against climate shocks

6. Policy and Governance in Agroforestry

6.1 Policy Frameworks Supporting Agroforestry

• National climate change adaptation and mitigation policies
• Land tenure and property rights
• Incentive schemes and subsidies

6.2 Governance Structures

• Role of local communities and institutions
• Public-private partnerships
• International agreements and funding mechanisms

6.3 Barriers and Enablers

• Challenges in policy implementation
• Opportunities for scaling up agroforestry

7. Agroforestry Case Studies

7.1 Successful Project Examples

• Agroforestry in East Africa for climate adaptation
• Silvopastoral systems in Latin America
• Home gardens in Southeast Asia

7.2 Lessons Learned

• Best practices and innovations
• Socioeconomic and environmental impacts
• Replicability and scalability considerations

8. Economic and Socioeconomic Aspects of Agroforestry

8.1 Economic Benefits

• Increased productivity and profitability
• Access to new markets and value chains

8.2 Social Impacts

• Empowerment of smallholder farmers
• Gender roles and participation
• Community cohesion and knowledge sharing

8.3 Sustainability and Long-Term Resilience

• Balancing ecological and economic goals
• Risk management and climate resilience