Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Managing biological and genetic diversity in tropical agroforestry

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The issues of biological and genetic diversity management in agroforestry are extremely complex. This paper focuses on genetic diversity management and its implications for sustainable agroforestry systems in the tropics, and presents an analysis of the role and importance of inter- and intra-specific diversity in agroforestry. Diversity within and between tree species in traditional agroforestry systems and modern agroforestry technologies in the tropics is assessed, with a view to understanding the functional elements within them and assessing the role and place of diversity. The assessment shows that although the practice of agroforestry has been a diversity management and conservation system, research in agroforestry over time has de-emphasized the diversity element; nevertheless farmers do value diversity and do manage agroforestry from that perspective. Based on a profiling of various traditional agroforestry systems and research-developed technologies, a strong case is made for increased species- and genetic diversity, at both inter- and intra-specific levels. The review and analysis point to the need for increased awareness, training/education, partnerships and collaborative efforts in support of genetic diversity in agroforestry systems; of special importance is increased cross-disciplinary research.All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today – A Chinese proverb

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almekinders C. and de Boef W.D. 2000. Encouraging diversity: a synthesis of crop conservation and development. pp. 323–325. In: Encouraging Diversity: the Conservation and Development of Plant Genetic Resources. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri M.A. 1995. Agroecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture. Westview Press, Boulder, CO, USA, 433 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnold J.E.M. and Dewees P.A. (eds) 1997. Farms, Trees and Farmers: Responses to Agricultural Intensification. Earthscan, London, UK, 292 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atta-Krah A.N. 1988. Genetic improvement of nitrogen-fixing trees for agroforestry purposes: the example of Gliricidia sepium in West Africa. pp. 132–147. In: Gibson G.I., Griffin A.R. and Matheson A.C. (eds), Breeding Tropical Trees: Population Structure and Genetic Improvement Strategies in Clonal and Seedling Forestry. Oxford Forestry Institute, Oxford, UK and Winrock International, Arlington, VA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atta-Krah A.N. 1990. Alley farming with Leucaena: effect of short grazed fallows on soil fertility and crop yields. Exp Agr 26: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backes M.M. 2001. The role of indigenous trees for the conservation of biocultural diversity in traditional agroforestry land use systems: the Bungoma case study. In situ conservation of indigenous tree species. Agroforest Syst 52: 119–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bawa K.S. 1997. In situ conservation of tropical forests. Focus paper for IPGRI. FORGEN news; Research Update on IPGRI's Forest Genetic Resources Projects. 1997 International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Rome, Italy, 23 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bawa K.S. and Dayanandan S. 1998. Global climate change and tropical forest genetic resources. Climate Change 39: 473–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boshier D.H. 2000. Mating systems. pp. 63–79. In: Young A., Boshier D. and Boyle T. (eds), Forest Conservation Genetics. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing and CAB International, Wallingford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray R.A. 1998. Diversity within tropical tree and shrub legumes. In: Gutteridge R.C. and Shelton H.M. (eds), Forage Tree Legumes in Tropical Agriculture. http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Publicat/Gutt-shel/x5556e00.htm.

  • Brush S. 1995. In situ conservation of landraces in centres of crop diversity. Crop Sci 35: 346–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brush S.B. 1999. Genes in the Field: Conserving Plant Diversity on Farms. Boca Raton, FL, Lewis, 15–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buresh R.J. and Cooper P.J.M. (eds) 1999. The Science and Practice of Short-Term Improved Fallows. Special Issue of Agroforest Syst, Vol. 47: 1–365.

  • Chirwa T.S., Mafongoya P.L. and Chintu R. 2003. Mixed planted-fallows using coppicing and non-coppicing tree species for degraded Acrisols in eastern Zambia. Agroforest Syst 59: 243–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 1992. Article 2. Use of terms. http://www.biodiv.org/convention/articles.asp?lg=0&a=cbd-02.

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 2003. Convention on Biological Diversity http://www.biodiv.org.

  • Cooper P.J.M., Leakey R.R.B., Rao M.R. and Reynolds L. 1996. Agroforestry and the mitigation of land degradation in the humid and sub-humid tropics of Africa. Exp Agr 32: 235–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson I.K. and Chamberlain J.R. 1996. Molecular analysis of genetic variation. pp. 77–91. In: Stewart J.L., Allison G.E. and Simons A.J. (eds), Gliricidia sepium-Genetic Resources for Farmers. Tropical Forestry Paper 33. Oxford Forestry Institute, Oxford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson I.K. and Powell W. 1999. Genetic variation in the Afromontane tree Prunus africana, an endangered medicinal species. Mol Ecol 8: 151–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Depommier D., Janoder E. and Oliver R. 1991. Faidherbia albida parks and their influence on soils and crops at Watinoma, Burkina Faso. pp. 111–116. In: Vandenbeldt R.J. (ed.), Faidherbia albida in the West African Semi-Arid Tropics: Proceedings of a Workshop, 23–26 April 1991, Niamey, Niger, ICRISAT, Patancheru-502324, A.P., India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desaeger J. and Rao M.R. 2001. The potential of mixed covers of Sesbania, Tephrosia and Crotalaria to minimise nematode problems on subsequent crops. Field Crop Res 70: 111–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duguma B. and Mollet M. 1997. Provenance evaluation of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner in the humid lowlands of Cameroon. Agroforest Syst 37: 45–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer R.A. 1930. The genetical theory of natural selection. Clarendon Press, Oxford. In: Meffe G.K. and Carroll C.R. (eds), Principles of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, Sunderland, MA. 272 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forman R.T.T. 1995. Land Mosaics: the Ecology of Landscapes and Regions. Cambridge University Press, 632 pp.

  • Gajaseni J., Matta-Machado R. and Jordan C.F. 1996. Diversified agroforestry systems: buffers for biodiversity reserves, and landbridges for fragmented habitats in the tropics. pp. 506–513. In: Szaro R.C. and Johnston D.W. (eds), Biodiversity in Managed Landscapes: Theory and Practice. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour D.A. 1995. Rearranging trees in the landscape in the middle hills of Nepal. pp. 21–42. In: Arnold J.E.M. and Dewees P.A. (eds), Tree Management in Farmer Strategies. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansson B. and Westerberg L. 2002. On the correlation between heterozygosity and fitness in natural populations. Mol Ecol 11: 2467–2474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkes J.G., Maxted N. and Ford-Lloyd B.V. 2000. The Ex Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources. Kluwer Academic publishers, The Netherlands, 250 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heineman A.M., Otino H.J.O., Mengich E.K. and Amadalo B.A. 1997. Growth and yield of eight agroforestry tree species in line plantings in western Kenya and their effect on maize yields and soil properties. Forest Ecol Manag 91: 103–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holding C. and Omondi W. (eds) 1998. Evolution of Provision of Tree Seed in Extension Programmes: Case Studies from Kenya and Uganda. SIDA Technical Report No. 19. Regional Land Management Unit, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/peopleplants/handbook/handbook5/interviews.htm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes C.E. 1998. Leucaena. A Genetic Resources Handbook. Tropical Forestry Papers No. 37. Oxford Forestry Institute, Oxford, UK, 274 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter M.L. Jr., Jacobson G.L. Jr. and Webb T. 1988. Paleoecology and the coarse-filter approach to maintaining biological diversity. Conserv Biol 2: 375–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPGRI. 1993. Diversity for Development-The Strategy of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. IPGRI, Rome, 62 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang B.T., Grimme H. and Lawson T.L. 1985. Alley cropping sequentially cropped maize and cowpea with Leucaena on a sandy soil in southern Nigeria. Plant Soil 85: 267–277.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang B.T., Reynolds L. and Atta-Krah A.N. 1990 Alley farming. Adv Agron 43: 315–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karachi M., Shirma D. and Lema N. 1997. Evaluation of 15 leguminous trees and shrubs for forage and wood production in Tanzania. Agroforest Syst 37: 253–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya M., Kammesheidt L. and Weidelt H.J. 2002. The forest garden system of Saparua Island, central Maluku, Indonesia, and its role in maintaining tree species diversity. Agroforest Syst 54: 225–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khanna P.K. 1998. Nutrient cycling under mixed-species tree systems in southeast Asia. Agroforest Syst 38: 99–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kindt R. 2002. Methodology for Tree Diversification Planning for African Ecosystems. Ph.D. thesis, University of Ghent, 332 + xi pp.

  • Kumar B.M. and Nair P.K.R. 2004. The enigma of tropical homegardens. Agroforest Syst (This volume).

  • Kwesiga F.R., Franzel S., Place F., Phiri D. and Simwana C.P. 1999. Sesbania sesban improved fallows in eastern Zambia: their inception, development and farmer enthusiasm. Agroforest Syst 47: 49–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lautenschlager R.A. 1997. Biodiversity is dead. Wildlife Society Bulletin 25: 679–685.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leakey R.R.B. 1998. Agroforestry for biodiversity in farming systems. pp. 127–145. In: Collins W. and Qualset C. (eds), The Importance of Biodiversity in Agroecosystems, Lewis Publishers, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loreau M., Naeem S., Inchausti P., Bengtsson J., Grime J.P., Hector A., Hooper D.U., Huston M.A., Raffaelli D., Schmid B., Tilman D. and Wardle D.A. 2001. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: current knowledge and future challenges. Science 294: 804–807.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe A.J., Gillies A.C.M., Wilson J. and Dawson I.K. 2000. Conservation genetics of bush mango from central/west Africa: implications from random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Mol Ecol 9: 831–741.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mafongoya P.L., Giller K.E. and Palm C.A. 1998. Decomposition and nitrogen release patterns of tree prunings and litter. Agroforest Syst 38: 77–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxted N., Hawkes J.G. and Ford-Lloyd B.V. 1997. Plant Genetic Conservation: The In Situ Approach. Chapman and Hall, 446 pp.

  • McNeely J.A. 2004. Nature vs. Nurture: Managing Relationships Between Forests, Agroforestry and Wild Biodiversity. Agroforest Syst (This volume).

  • McNeely J.A. and Scherr S.J. 2003. Ecoagriculture: Strategies to Feed the World and Save Wild Biodiversity. Island Press, Washington D.C., 323 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • McQueen D. 1996. Calliandra taxonomy and distribution, with particular reference to the series Racemosae. pp. 1–17. In: Evans D.O. (ed.), International Workshop on the Genus Calliandra. Forest, Farm and Community Tree Research Reports Special Issue, 1996. Winrock International.

  • Meffe G.K and Carroll C.R. 1994. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, Sunderland, Massachusetts, 600 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray G. and Bannister M. 2004. Peasants, agroforesters, and anthropologists: A 20–year venture in income-generating trees and hedgerows in Haiti (This volume).

  • Naeem S. 2002. Biodiversity equals instability? Nature 416: 23–24.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nair P.K.R. 1985. Classification of agroforestry systems. Agroforest Syst 3: 97–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nair P.K.R. 1993. An Introduction to Agroforestry. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 499 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norberg J., Swaney D.P., Dushoff J., Lin J., Casagrandi R. and Levin S.A. 2001. Phenotypic diversity and ecosystem functioning in changing environments: a theoretical framework. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 98 (20): 11376–11381.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noss R.F. 1990. Indicators for monitoring biodiversity: a hierarchical approach. Conserv Biol 4: 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyadzi G.I., Otsyina R., Banzi F.M., Bakengesa S.S., Gama B.M., Mbwambo L. and Asenga D. 2003. Rotational woodlot technology in northwestern Tanzania: Tree species and crop performance. Agroforest Syst 59: 253–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pretty J.N., Thompson J. and Kiara J.K. 1995. Agricultural regeneration in Kenya: the catchment approach to soil and water conservation. Ambio 24: 7–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puri S. and Nair P.K.R. 2004. Agroforestry research for development in India: 25 years of experiences of a national program. Agroforest Syst (This volume).

  • Qualset C.O., McGuire P.E. and Warburton M.L. 1995. Agrobiodiversity: key to agricultural productivity. Calif Agr 49: 45–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao M.R., Singh M. and Day R. 2000. Insect pest problems in tropical agroforestry systems: Contributory factors and management strategies. Agroforest Syst 50: 243–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rege J.E.O., Hodgkin T. and Atta-Krah A.N. 2003. Managing agricultural biodiversity in sub-Saharan Africa to increase food production, conserve natural resources and improve human livelihoods. pp. 75–88. In: Building Sustainable Livelihoods through Integrated Agricultural Research for Development-Programme Proposal and Reference Materials. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Accra, Ghana.

  • Ruredzo T.J. and Hanson J. 1988. The use of in vitro culture in germplasm management. ILCA Germplasm Newsletter No. 18: 4–9.

  • Russell J.R., Weber J.C., Booth A., Powell W., Sotelo-Montes C. and Dawson I.K. 1999. Genetic variation of Calycophyllum spruceanum in the Peruvian Amazon Basin, revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Mol Ecol 8: 199–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruthenberg H. 1980. Farming Systems in the Tropics. 3rd edition. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 424 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauchanka U.K. 1997. The Genosphere; the Genetic System of the Biosphere. The Parthenon Publishing Group, London, UK, 134 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schellas J. and Greenberg R. 1996. Forest Patches in Tropical Landscapes. Island Press, Washington, D.C., 426 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • SGRP. 2000. Why Genetic Resources Matter. Genetic Resources Management in Ecosystems. Report of a workshop organized by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) for the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP), held in Bogor, Indonesia, 27–29 June 2000. CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia, 13 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons A.J. 1996. Delivery of improvement of agroforestry trees. pp. 391–400. In: Dieters M.J., Matheson A.C., Nikles D.G., Harwood C.E. and Walker S.M. (eds), Tree Improvement for Sustainable Forestry. IUFRO Conference, 27 October-1 November 1996, Caloundra, Australia.

  • Simons A.J. and Leakey R.R.B. 2004. Tree domestication in tropical agroforestry (This volume).

  • Sumberg J.E. 1985. Collection and initial evaluation of Gliricidia sepium from Costa Rica Agroforest Syst 3: 357–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swift M.J. and Anderson J.M. 1999. Biodiversity and ecosystem function in agricultural systems. pp. 15–41. In: Schulze E.D. and Mooney H.A. (eds), Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function.Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tejwani K.G. 1994. Agroforestry in India. Oxford & IBH Publish Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 233 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teklehaimanot Z. 2004. Exploiting the potential of indigenous agroforestry trees: Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa in sub-Saharan Africa. Agroforest Syst (This volume).

  • Tilman D., Lehman C.L. and Thomson K.T. 1997. Plant diversity and ecosystem productivity: theoretical considerations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 94: 1857–1861.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toky O.P. 2000. Genetic diversity in three important agroforestry tree species of dry zones: a case study. Indian J Agroforest 2: 43–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber J.C., Labarta Chávarri R.L., Sotelo-Montes C., Brodie A.W., Cromwell E., Schreckenberg K. and Simons A.J. 1997. Farmers' use and management of tree germplasm: case studies from the Peruvian Amazon Basin. pp. 57–63. In:Simons A.J., Kindt R. and Place F. (eds), Policy Aspects of Tree Germplasm Demand and Supply. Proceedings of an International Workshop, held in Nairobi, Kenya, October 1997, ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber J.C., Labarta R., Sotelo C., Brodie A., Cromwell E., Schreckenberg K. and Simons A. 2001. Farmer's use and management of tree germplasm: case studies from the Peruvian Amazon. Agroforest Today 12(1): 17–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weir B.S. 1996. Genetic Data Analysis II: Methods for Discrete Population Genetic Data. Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, 445 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker R.H. 1965. Dominance and diversity in land plant communities. Science 147: 250–260.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiersum K.F. 2004. Forest gardens as an 'intermediate' land-use system in the nature-culture continuum: characteristics and future potential. Agroforest Syst (This volume).

  • Young A.G. and Boyle T.J. 2000. Forest fragmentation. pp. 123–134. In: Young A., Boshier D. and Boyle T. (eds), Forest Conservation Genetics. Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing and CAB International, Wallingford, UK.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office, P.O.Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya

    K. Atta-Krah & J.N. Skilton

  2. World Agroforestry Centre, P.O.Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya

    R. Kindt

  3. IPGRI Headquarters, Via dei Tre Denari 472/a, 00057, Maccarese, Rome, Italy

    W. Amaral

Authors
  1. K. Atta-Krah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Kindt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J.N. Skilton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. Amaral
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Atta-Krah, K., Kindt, R., Skilton, J. et al. Managing biological and genetic diversity in tropical agroforestry. Agroforestry Systems 61, 183–194 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AGFO.0000028998.32732.65

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AGFO.0000028998.32732.65

Search

Navigation