Modelling and optimising associated biodiversity in alley cropping systems

Dr Mario Santos · Berta Gonçalves · André Fonseca · Reinaldo Lucas Cajaiba · Henrique Trindade · Fátima Gonçalves · Cristina Carlos · Darinka Gonzalez · Mário Gonzalez Pereira · Lívia Madureira · Mariane Cristina Inocente · Fátima Piña-Rodrigues · João Santos · Professor María Rosa Mosquera-Losada

Feb 2025 · Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing

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The mechanisms shaping biodiversity in agroecosystems and particularly in agroforestry are difficult to understand and predict. The relation between planned biodiversity, the species chosen by the farmer, and associated biodiversity, the species that are able to adapt and thrive in agroforestry systems, is determined by diverse biological, environmental and management variables. Most studies in this area rely on case studies within specific biogeographical zones, species combinations and management options, which hampers drawing general conclusions. This chapter describes a modelling approach to compare associated biodiversity in different agroecosystems. Results show the relevance of alley cropping and intercropping to increase associated biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The chapter also highlights the importance of further research to guide environmental managers and practitioners in applying the best policies for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes.

About the author

Dr María Rosa Mosquera-Losada is Distinguished Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Professor Mosquera-Losada is President of the Spanish Agroforestry Association (AGFE) and a former President of the European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF). She is also Coordinator of the EU-funded Agroforestry Innovation Networks (AFINET) project, a Policy Work Package Leader for the EU project AGFORWARD (Agroforestry that will Advance Rural Development) and Data Knowledge Work Package Leader for the EU project EURAKNOS (Connecting Thematic Networks as Knowledge Reservoirs: towards a European Agricultural Knowledge Innovation Open Source System) and is also co-Chair of the Croplands Working Group of the Global Research Alliance and of the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (FAO).

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