Agroforestry as Climate Action: Evidence from Carbon Sequestration to Food Security
Keywords:
Agroforestry, Carbon Sequestration, Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Livelihoods, Climate Resilience, Biodiversity ConservationAbstract
Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as a sustainable land-use strategy that addresses climate change, enhances biodiversity, and improves rural livelihoods. This narrative review aims to synthesize current research on the ecological and socio-economic outcomes of agroforestry systems, with a particular focus on carbon sequestration, ecosystem services, and food security. The study employed a systematic literature search using Scopus and Google Scholar, applying targeted keyword combinations such as "agroforestry," "carbon sequestration," "ecosystem services," and "sustainability outcomes." Inclusion criteria prioritized peer-reviewed studies published within the last five years that examined agroforestry in tropical and subtropical contexts. The findings confirm that agroforestry enhances carbon stocks, improves soil quality, and fosters biodiversity, offering clear advantages over monoculture systems. Moreover, agroforestry strengthens smallholder resilience by diversifying income sources and improving nutritional security. However, adoption remains constrained by systemic challenges including fragmented policies, limited financial access, and institutional weaknesses. Effective interventions include participatory governance, targeted subsidies, and the integration of local ecological knowledge into practice. This review emphasizes the need for coherent, multi-scalar policies and inclusive frameworks that embed agroforestry within broader sustainable development agendas. It recommends further research into long-term ecological and social impacts, as well as strategies to improve equity and scalability. Agroforestry should be positioned as a core element in climate resilience planning and sustainable rural development strategies.
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