Impact of multipurpose farm trees in subtemperate agroecosystems: benefits for soil, biomass, fodder, and climate resilience
摘要
On farm tree species play a key role in farmer sustainability. However, their biomass accumulation, soil, quality fodder and sustenance of livelihood in a comprehensive manner, particularly in subtemperate agroecosystems have got less attention. Therefore, our study focused on Albizzia lebbeck, Bauhinia variegata, Celtis australis, Grewia optiva and Quercus leucotrichophora retained by farmers for multiple benefits in subtemperate region ranging from 1200 to 2000 m amsl. Field survey was conducted for collecting data of prominent tree species retained on farmers’ fields along the terrace and samples (soil, fodder, biomass) were bought to laboratory for analysis. The results revealed trees species on farmland had biomass accumulation in range of 0.4–10.8 Mg ha−1. Meanwhile available soil nitrogen (Kg/ha), phosphorus (Kg/ha), potassium (Kg/ha), organic carbon (%) measured at 0–30 cm soil depth ranged from 259.03 to 364.82, 21.79 to 39.20, 151.20 to 230.72, 0.69 to 1.34, and 8.64 to 13.40, respectively. Nutrient composition parameters of fodder samples as dry matter, crude protein, total ash, acid insoluble ash, ether extract, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and nitrogen free extract percent ranged from 37.51 to 54.28, 10.08 to 15.08, 3.42 to 8.43, 0.19 to 0.31, 2.07 to 4.11, 21.80 to 35.38, 43.56 to 55.79, 32.01 to 42.51, and 46.51 to 56.21 (%), respectively. Further, farmer’s survey revealed trends in overall utilization pattern of farm trees and their impact on achieving broader sustainable development goals. These findings highlighted the impact of trees on farmer’s well-being in terms of biomass accumulation, quality fodder, soil health and achieving sustainable development goals.