Role of Agroforestry in Moderating Extreme Temperature Conditions Under Climate Change Scenarios

Climate change is expected increases the occurrence of warming-induced extreme temperature conditions, leading to an adverse impact on crop production. Agroforestry is considered one of the adaptation strategies for extreme temperature conditions and is widely practiced across the globe. The various combinations of crops and trees are practiced in the form of agroforestry systems, and such practice has become widely acceptable among farmers, because it gives higher economic returns compared to traditional cropping systems, resulting in increase in the area under agroforestry in different countries. Farmers have also indicated favorable attitude towards the adoption of agroforestry, as this practice provides higher ecological and economic benefits. Evidence has indicated that most annual crops are sensitive to climate change, and the high/low air temperature during critical developmental stages can reduce crop grain yield, especially when the excessively high temperature during the summer induces pollen sterility and reduces seed yield. In agroforestry, the buffering action of trees enhances water-use efficiency, improves microclimate modification, and reduces heat stress of crops, leading to an increase in the crop yield. Overall, a large number of evidence has indicated the immense potential of agroforestry in increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing farm income, improving soil properties, and sequestering atmospheric carbon as well as coping with extreme temperature conditions. Therefore, tree plantations in the agricultural landscape as agroforestry system could provide resilience to crops during extreme temperature conditions. In this chapter, the comprehensive information on the benefits and role of agroforestry in the context of extreme temperature conditions has been highlighted and discussed.