Carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems on degraded soils of Eastern Amazon, Brazil

Background:

Among various approaches to forest restoration, passive restoration via natural regeneration stands out as the most cost-efective option. However, the resilience of the forest is heavily influenced by factors such as water availability, soil integrity, and the presence of seed dispersers in the landscape. In situations where resilience is low, successful restoration relies on active human interventions. Unfortunately, many restoration projects, especially those involving smallholders, face budget constraints. In such circumstances, Agroforestry Systems emerge as a restoration strategy that combines both socio-economic and ecological advantages.

Goals and methods:

The primary goals of this paper are to: 1. Evaluate the potential of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) in sequestering carbon and cycling nutrients in comparison to natural succession in a forest restoration experiment in the Eastern Amazon. 2. Assess the effectiveness of AFS in restoring carbon stocks and nutrient cycling on degraded soils, particularly in the context of small-scale farming. 3. Investigate the implications of AFS as a sustainable land management strategy for mitigating climate change and reducing rural poverty in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon.

conclusions and Takeaways:

The main takeaway of this paper is that Agroforestry Systems show promise in above-ground carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling reestablishment, making them a potentially effective strategy for climate change mitigation and poverty reduction in the rural zones of the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. However, the study also highlights the variability in Agroforestry Systems plant development and carbon stock due to previous degradation, emphasizing the need for further research and tailored implementation strategies to maximize the potential benefits of Agroforestry Systems in degraded soils.