Regenerative Agroforestry for Soil Restoration, Biodiversity Protection, and Climate Change Mitigation

Agroforestry is a land-use management system that was originally designed to get maximum agricultural production. Still, it has grown into a diverse problem-solving technology with applications in soil restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. Given the worldwide problems related to soil, biodiversity, and climate change, assessing agroforestry research’s past and present conditions and its role in addressing the abovementioned problems is critical for determining future strategies. This chapter introduces regenerative agroforestry, emphasizing its importance in soil protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. It also describes key agroforestry methods utilized in tropical and temperate regions worldwide. The primary benefits of agroforestry include improved soil structure and nutrient content due to adding organic matter from leaf litter and root biomass. Tree root systems help to maintain the soil by minimizing erosion, enhancing water infiltration, and lowering compaction. Agroforestry systems generate diversified environments that sustain a wide range of plant and animal species, boosting genetic diversity and providing habitat for animals. Additionally, using native plants in agroforestry helps to protect local flora and animals. Agroforestry contributes significantly to climate change mitigation by serving as a carbon sink and sequestering CO2. Improved soil health and less usage of chemical fertilizers cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural operations. Agroforestry systems generate microclimates that protect crops from adverse weather conditions while improving water management, minimizing drought impacts, and preventing waterlogging. This chapter covers the obstacles and potential for expanding regenerative agroforestry, highlighting the importance of a holistic plan at the national, regional, and international levels. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating regenerative agroforestry into agricultural, forestry, and climate change policies to develop effective, problem-solving solutions for future strategies, ultimately improving global impacts on soil restoration, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation.