Promoting agroforestry is one option many perceive
as a major opportunity to deal with problems related
to land-use and CO2-induced global warming. In this
paper agroforestry is defined as any land-use system
that involves the deliberate retention, introduction or
mixture of trees or other woody perennials with agricultural
crops, pastures and/or livestock to exploit the
ecological and economic interactions of the differ-
Table 1
Categorisation of biomes and their C sequestration (CS) potential (DOE, 1999)
Biomes Primary method to increase CSa Potential CS (PgC per year)
Agricultural lands Management (H) 0.85–0.90
Biomass croplands Manipulation (H) 0.50–0.80
Grasslands Management (M) 0.50
Rangelands Management (M) 1.20
Forests Management (M) 1–3
Urban forests and grasslands Creation and maintenance (M) nab
Deserts and degraded lands Manipulation (H) 0.80–1.30
Terrestrial sediments Protection (L) 0.70–1.70
Boreal speatlands and other wetlands Protection (L) 0.10 to −0.70
Total 5.65–10.10
a The primary method of carbon sequestration is rated as high (H), medium (M), and low (L) levels of sustained management intensity
required over the long term. Global potential sequestration rates were estimated that might be sustained over a period of 25–50 years.
b Not available.
ent components (Lundgren, 1982; Nair, 1993; Young,
1997). Historical evidence showed that agroforestry
has been widely practised through the ages as a means
of achieving agricultural sustainability and slowing the
negative effects of agriculture such as soil degradation
and desertification.
The significance of