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

Study area

(www.kepu.net.cn, Science museums of 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