By Abbas Nazil
Forest-based agroforestry (FAF), the practice of integrating agriculture within existing forests, can deliver substantial climate mitigation and economic benefits, according to a new study led by researchers at the Yale School of the Environment.
Published in Nature Climate Change, the study emphasizes that FAF can achieve climate outcomes comparable to conventional tree planting on agricultural land while simultaneously supporting biodiversity, forest health, and the livelihoods of local communities.
At a time when tree planting is championed globally as a natural climate solution, the researchers argue that managing existing forests through agroforestry remains an underutilized yet powerful tool.
Forests are the largest terrestrial carbon sinks, and integrating sustainable agricultural practices into forest systems can bolster carbon sequestration and storage without compromising ecological integrity.
“Human management of forests can result in better outcomes for forests, people, and the climate. It is not a zero-sum game,” said Karam Sheban, co-author of the study.
Sheban emphasized the need to recognize that FAF, though distinct from tree planting on cleared land, contributes meaningfully to climate goals.
Unlike conventional agroforestry, which introduces trees into croplands or pastures, FAF integrates crops into already forested landscapes in ways that respect and enhance natural systems.
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The study also highlights that many Indigenous and traditional communities have long practiced forms of forest-based agriculture that support ecological resilience.
However, despite its widespread use and benefits, FAF receives relatively little attention or funding compared to tree planting initiatives.
This lack of support, the researchers suggest, stems from two key misconceptions: the conflation of sustainable, traditional practices with industrial agroforestry for commodity crops like palm oil and coffee, and the assumption that outcomes from tropical regions can be directly applied to temperate and boreal forests.
Mark Bradford, a co-author and professor at Yale, noted that forest management, including selective tree removal, can enhance overall forest function and resilience, which may seem counterintuitive to those who equate tree removal with environmental harm. “Effective forest management can achieve multiple services,” he said.
The research team calls for the explicit inclusion of forest-based agroforestry in climate and agroforestry policies.
They recommend distinguishing sustainable practices from exploitative ones and investing in further research across diverse forest systems, particularly in temperate and boreal regions.
By doing so, policymakers can create more inclusive and effective climate strategies that reflect the complexity and promise of forest-based agriculture.
Involving local communities and drawing on traditional ecological knowledge are also crucial for ensuring that FAF contributes not only to carbon reduction goals but also to economic development and cultural preservation.
As the world seeks scalable solutions to climate change, FAF stands out as a multifaceted approach that deserves broader recognition and support.
