Post on 08-May-2015
Xiao Guo Prof. Antonio García Abril
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN CHINA-PROPOSED CLASSFICATION FOR
TROPICAL CHINA
Research Group for Sustainable Environmental Management
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Introduction
New Classification for Chinese Tropical Agroforestry systems
Representative models
Conclusions
Introduction
In China the trend of converting natural forest into artificial plantations still continues
Management strategies for systems in natural forest and artificial plantations must be differ
Establish a new classification which is clear and specific for tropical China
Different Woodland Coverage (ha) in Tropical China
6338005.90%
544000050.63%
467110043.47%
Primary Forest Secondary ForestArtificial Plantations
New Classification for Tropical China
The clasification is based on woodland (forest or plantation) type
Natural Forest
Artificial Plantations
Primary Forest
Secondary Forest
Timber trees
Non-timber trees
Protection forest
Homegardens
The ancient tea garden is more similar to natural forests, and is completely different to modern tea plantations
1a) Ancient tea garden in Xishuangbannan
1b) The plantation of Amomum Villosum in rainforest of Xishuangbanna
Amomum villosun is a shade medicical plant form the south China
It the most planted medicinal plant in Xishuangbanna’s natural forest and has great impact
Need a density of canopy under 70%; almost all the shrubs and herbs were removed, only some tall trees were kept
70%-90% species were lost, the regeneration of the forest was broke
1b) The plantation of Amomum Villosum in rainforest of Xishuangbanna
2. Secondary forests
Most tropical secondary forests are not in good quality. They are fragile and sensitive,
With proper management, the secondary forests have great potential for production and recover their ecological function
2a) Amomum villosum in secondary forests
Crops with artificial plantations
3. Timber: Timber production is the main objective of the plantations and trees, including firewood.
4. Non-timber Tree: Trees are generally the fate of fruit, edible oils, beverages, spices, medicinal, and industrial raw materials;
5. Protection Woodland: The primary purpose of trees is protection, such as water and soil conservation, protection against wind and sand fixation, protection of farmland and grassland, coastal protection, riverbanks and highways；
6. Homegardens
3. Timber Trees
The main timber trees planted in tropical China are evergreen broadleaf trees Homalium hainanense, Gmelina hainanensis, Alnus nepalensis,
Cinnamomum glanduliferum, Camptotheca acuminata, and Cassia siamea (firewood)
The production cycle is very long, intercropping with some crop species who can harvest in short term, usually can get good economic benefits.
3a) Endemic timber trees with medicincal plant in Hainan
Homalium hainanense and Gmelina hainanensis, are precious endemic Hainan trees
Conclusions
The classification based on the woodland type, considers the forest as a separate component, distinguishes management measures applied in forests and plantations.
For primary forests, the measures should be conditioned on forests protection and biodiversity conservation
Agroforestry systems in secondary forests still need more research.
Agroforestry systems in artificial plantations have significant advantages than single-species monocultures or silviculture.
The homegarden is most widely used agroforestry system in rural area, and has been the site of introduction of new varieties and the domestication of wild species
A typical feature of agroforestry in China is the tea garden, both in natural forests and artificial plantations.
The generation of efficient and sustainable agroforestry systems needs political support, the involvement of local people, training, and technical assistance.
Thank you!
Xiao Guo
Center for China-Africa Agriculture and Forestry Research
Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University& International Network for Bamboo and Rattan
Tel. +86 571-63746816E-mail: xiaoguo@zafu.edu.cn guoxiao.china@gmail.com