This book is a review of the potential of agroforestry to contribute to soil conservation. Its aims are to summarize the present state of knowledge, including both known capacity and apparent potential, and to indicate the needs for research. The overall conclusion is that appropriate agroforestry systems have the potential to control erosion, maintain soil organic matter and physical properties, and promote efficient nutrient cycling. This applies to a wide range of climatic zones and soil types. There is an urgent need for research to acquire further experimental evidence to support this conclusion. Many obstacles, social and economic as well as technical, need to be overcome if the potential is to be fulfilled. If this effort is successful, then agroforestry can make a major contribution to sustainable land use.

Text in English