Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany
In a time of multiple global challenges, trees gain more and more attention as an important component of sustainable land use systems, as they can produce food and provide multiple other ecosystem services at the same time. In Germany, traditional orchard meadows (so-called “Streuobstwiesen”) are in...
| 主要な著者: | , , , |
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| フォーマット: | 論文 |
| 言語: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-03-01
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| シリーズ: | Trees, Forests and People |
| 主題: | |
| オンライン･アクセス: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266671932300105X |
| _version_ | 1827338078140760064 |
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| author | Franziska Gaede (b. Wolpert) Cristina Quintas-Soriano Bill Davison Tobias Plieninger |
| author_facet | Franziska Gaede (b. Wolpert) Cristina Quintas-Soriano Bill Davison Tobias Plieninger |
| author_sort | Franziska Gaede (b. Wolpert) |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In a time of multiple global challenges, trees gain more and more attention as an important component of sustainable land use systems, as they can produce food and provide multiple other ecosystem services at the same time. In Germany, traditional orchard meadows (so-called “Streuobstwiesen”) are in decline, although they are well known for their ecological value. In modern agroforestry systems staple perennial food crops seem to be rarely integrated. Here, we propose to use emerging chestnut cultivation for revitalizing traditional orchard meadows, diversifying forests, and integrating perennial staple food crops in modern agroforestry systems. In this study, we interviewed 64 chestnut growers in Germany and aimed to (1) explore characteristics of chestnut stands and management; (2) evaluate the main motivations, aims, and challenges of chestnut growers; (3) identify perceived outcomes of chestnut cultivation and measures for upscaling; and (4) analyze differences between groups of chestnut growers. Our results show that most growers aimed to increase tree numbers and foster the spread of chestnut trees as cultural assets. Sustainable food production was the motivation most often named by the respondents. A guide for cultivation, as well as better funding, were mentioned as the most wanted and easy to implement measures for up-scaling production and consumption. Junior chestnut growers were better connected to other chestnut growers and were more motivated by sustainable food production than senior growers. Pest and diseases as well as legal and funding situations were aspects hampering chestnut cultivation. We suggest that chestnut trees can serve as a valuable element of a diverse tree crop landscape providing staple food crops while supporting ecosystem services. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:08:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aff9b40a7b854ba0a42475b03378ddc8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-7193 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:08:39Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Trees, Forests and People |
| spelling | doaj.art-aff9b40a7b854ba0a42475b03378ddc82024-03-01T05:07:28ZengElsevierTrees, Forests and People2666-71932024-03-0115100473Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in GermanyFranziska Gaede (b. Wolpert)0Cristina Quintas-Soriano1Bill Davison2Tobias Plieninger3Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, Steinstraße 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany; Present address: Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Corresponding author.Biology and Geology Department, Andalusian Center for the Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), University of Almeria, Almería, SpainSavanna Institute, 2453 Atwood Avenue, Suite 209, Madison, WI 53704, United StatesFaculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, Steinstraße 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany; Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073 Göttingen, GermanyIn a time of multiple global challenges, trees gain more and more attention as an important component of sustainable land use systems, as they can produce food and provide multiple other ecosystem services at the same time. In Germany, traditional orchard meadows (so-called “Streuobstwiesen”) are in decline, although they are well known for their ecological value. In modern agroforestry systems staple perennial food crops seem to be rarely integrated. Here, we propose to use emerging chestnut cultivation for revitalizing traditional orchard meadows, diversifying forests, and integrating perennial staple food crops in modern agroforestry systems. In this study, we interviewed 64 chestnut growers in Germany and aimed to (1) explore characteristics of chestnut stands and management; (2) evaluate the main motivations, aims, and challenges of chestnut growers; (3) identify perceived outcomes of chestnut cultivation and measures for upscaling; and (4) analyze differences between groups of chestnut growers. Our results show that most growers aimed to increase tree numbers and foster the spread of chestnut trees as cultural assets. Sustainable food production was the motivation most often named by the respondents. A guide for cultivation, as well as better funding, were mentioned as the most wanted and easy to implement measures for up-scaling production and consumption. Junior chestnut growers were better connected to other chestnut growers and were more motivated by sustainable food production than senior growers. Pest and diseases as well as legal and funding situations were aspects hampering chestnut cultivation. We suggest that chestnut trees can serve as a valuable element of a diverse tree crop landscape providing staple food crops while supporting ecosystem services.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266671932300105XAgroforestryEcosystem servicesPerennialsTree cropsChestnut |
| spellingShingle | Franziska Gaede (b. Wolpert) Cristina Quintas-Soriano Bill Davison Tobias Plieninger Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany Trees, Forests and People Agroforestry Ecosystem services Perennials Tree crops Chestnut |
| title | Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany |
| title_full | Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany |
| title_short | Integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems: A case study of chestnut (Castanea sp.) in Germany |
| title_sort | integrating perennial staple food crops in agroforestry systems a case study of chestnut castanea sp in germany |
| topic | Agroforestry Ecosystem services Perennials Tree crops Chestnut |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266671932300105X |
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