Institut für Strategien und Folgenabschätzung
KlimAF evaluates the climate protection potentials of agroforestry systems and develops measures and guidelines to effectively utilize these potentials. The project focuses on modern agroforestry systems, such as alley-cropping systems, as production systems on agricultural land. Six subprojects are addressing open research questions regarding the climate change mitigation effects of agroforestry (carbon stocks and the "safety net"- and "nutrient pump"-functions in the topsoil and subsoil), the promotion of yield, yield quality, and plant health of agroforestry systems through biostimulants (mycorrhizae), and urgent questions of optimal site selection and design of these systems. To deepen the understanding of the role of woody strips in agricultural landscapes, experimental studies will be conducted to provide the data basis for a model based plot-specific simulation of productivity and carbon effects. Low-yield areas will be identified for optimal spatial location within field plots. A comprehensive climate assessment and economic evaluation, which takes into account the effects on productivity and the efficiency of materials (seed, fertilizer) and energetic inputs (diesel) as well as soil carbon effects in addition to the establishment and maintenance of the woody strips, will be incorporated into the development of a decision support system (DSS) for agricultural practice. The data and knowledge gained will be compiled by the KlimAF project consortium and made available to practitioners, extension agents, the interested public, and policy makers.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
