Evaluation of Agroforestry Strategies in Climate Change Mitigation in Tropical Forest Areas
Keywords:
Agroforestry , Climate Change Mitigation , Carbon SequestrationAbstract
Purpose: This study examines the role of agroforestry as a climate change mitigation strategy in tropical forest regions by integrating biophysical and socio-economic perspectives. It aims to quantify carbon sequestration potential, evaluate the consistency between field-based and remote sensing methods, and assess the livelihood benefits associated with agroforestry adoption.
Subjects and Methods: The research was conducted in three tropical landscapes using 150 permanent sample plots representing multistrata agroforestry, shaded monocultures, and conventional monocropping systems. Carbon stocks were estimated through tree inventories and soil organic carbon sampling, complemented by remote sensing data from Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and airborne LiDAR calibrated with field measurements. Socio-economic data were collected from 320 farming households, and econometric approaches, including propensity score matching and difference-in-differences, were applied to evaluate livelihood impacts. Uncertainty was addressed using Bayesian hierarchical modeling and Monte Carlo simulations.
Results: Multistrata agroforestry systems stored substantially higher carbon stocks than shaded monocultures and monocropping systems. At the landscape scale, agroforestry expansion contributed significant cumulative carbon sequestration over a ten-year period. Remote sensing estimates showed strong agreement with field-based measurements. Economically, agroforestry adopters achieved higher farm income while maintaining elevated carbon stocks.
Conclusions: Agroforestry represents an effective and inclusive climate mitigation strategy that simultaneously enhances carbon sequestration and rural livelihoods. These findings support the integration of agroforestry into climate policies, emphasizing the importance of land tenure security, extension services, and access to carbon financing mechanisms.
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