Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Agroforestry and Ecosystem Conservation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Agroforestry - The Future of Global Land Use

Part of the book series: Advances in Agroforestry ((ADAG,volume 9))

Abstract

Climate change adaptation and mitigation are usually the objects of separate projects, but in this review we argue that in agricultural contexts, there are often technical and financial advantages in pursuing them simultaneously. This is because (1) adaptation planning is often necessary for mitigation (i.e., carbon sequestration) planning, especially for assessing future climate risks to mitigation investments, (2) certain land-use interventions can have both adaptation and mitigation benefits, and (3) carbon finance can help in supporting adaptation which still tends to be underfunded. Agroforestry and ecosystem conservation are key approaches in the integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation objectives, often generating significant co-benefits for local ecosystems and biodiversity. Synergies between climate change adaptation and mitigation actions are particularly likely in projects involving income diversification with tree and forest products, reduction of the susceptibility of land-use systems to extreme weather events, improvement of soil fertility, fire management, wind breaks, and the conservation and restoration of forest and riparian corridors, wetlands, and mangroves. On the other hand, trade-offs between adaptation and mitigation are possible when fast-growing tree monocultures for mitigation conflict with local tree and forest uses, making livelihoods more vulnerable, when trees are planted in water-scarce areas conflicting with local water uses, and in some cases when “climate-smart” agroforestry practices conflict with the need for agricultural intensification to produce increasing amounts of food for a growing population. Such conflicts need to be avoided through careful, site-specific, and participatory project development. We conclude that adaptation considerations should be included in mitigation project planning and integrated adaptation and mitigation activities should be prioritized in carbon markets and policy formation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agnew C, Woodhouse P (2011) Water resources and development. Routledge, Abingdon, 343 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Albrecht A, Kandji ST (2003) Carbon sequestration in tropical agroforestry systems. Agric Ecosyst Environ 99:15–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson K, Bows A (2008) Reframing the climate change challenge in light of post-2000 emission trends. Philos Trans R Soc A 366:3863–3882

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baird AH (2006) Myth of green belts. SAMUDRA Rep 44:14–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Battin TJ, Luyssaert S, Kaplan LA, Aufdenkampe AK, Tranrik L (2009) The boundless carbon cycle. Nat Geosci 2:598–600

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beach RH, DeAngelo BJ, Rose S, Li C, Salas W, DelGrosso SJ (2008) Mitigation potential and costs for global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Agric Econ 38:109–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw CJA, Sodhi NS, Peh KSH, Brook BW (2007) Global evidence that deforestation amplifies flood risk and severity in the developing world. Glob Change Biol 13:2379–2395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brockerhoff EG, Jactel H, Parrotta JA, Quine CP, Sayer J (2008) Plantation forests and biodiversity: oxymoron or opportunity? Biodivers Conserv 17:925–951

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CCBA (2008) Climate, community and biodiversity project design standards, 2nd edn. The Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance, Arlington, Dec 2008. www.climate-standard.org

  • Climate Funds Update (2011) http://www.climatefundsupdate.org/graphs-statistics/pledges-by-fund. Accessed 12 Apr 2011

  • Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (2009) Global climate change: can agriculture cope? Research and impact: CGIAR on global issues. http://www.cgiar.org/impact/global/cc_managingtropicallands.html. Washington, DC

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (2009) Connecting biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation: report of the second Ad Hoc technical expert group on biodiversity and climate change. Technical series no. 41, Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook J (2009) Smallholder agriculture and the environment in a changing global context. WWF MPO: Macroeconomics for sustainable development program office, Washington, DC, May 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas I (2009) Climate change, flooding and food security in south Asia. Food Secur 1:127–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eakin H (2005) Institutional change, climate risk, and rural vulnerability: cases from central Mexico. World Dev 33:1923–1938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagre DB, Charles CW, Allen CD, Birkeland C, Chapin FS III, Groffman PM, Guntenspergen GR, Knapp AK, McGuire AD, Mulholland PJ, Peters DPC, Roby DD, Sugihara G (2009) Thresholds of climate change in ecosystems. Final report, synthesis and assessment product 4.2. US climate change science program and subcommittee on global change research. US Geological Survey, Reston, Jan 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2008) Forests and water. FAO forestry paper 155, A study prepared in the framework of the global forest resources assessment 2005. Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2009) Enabling agriculture to contribute to climate change mitigation. FAO submission to the UNFCCC. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Feb 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley JA, DeFries R, Asner GP, Barford C, Bonan G, Carpenter SR, Chapin FS, Coe MT, Daily GC, Gibbs HK, Helkowski JH, Holloway T, Howard EA, Kucharik CJ, Monfreda C, Patz JA, Prentice IC, Ramankutty N, Snyders PK (2005) Global consequences of land use. Science 309:570–574

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami BN, Venugopal V, Sengupta D, Medhoisoodanan MS, Xavier PK (2006) Increasing trend of extreme rain events over India in a warming environment. Science 314:1442–1445

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guariguata MR, Cornelius JP, Locatelli B, Forner C, Sánchez-Azofeifa GA (2008) Mitigation needs adaptation: topical forestry and climate change. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 13:793–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannah L, Dave R, Lowry PP, Andelman S, Andrianarisata M, Andriamaro L, Cameron A, Higmans R, Kremen C, MacKinnon J, Randrianasolo HH, Andriambololonera S, Razaimpahanana A, Randriamahazo H, Randrianarisoa J, Razafinjatovo P, Raxworthy C, Schatz G, Tadross M, Wilmé L (2008) Climate change adaptation for conservation in Madagascar. Biol Lett 4:590–594

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hänsela G, Ibrahim M, Villanueva C, Andrade HJ (2009) Exploiting synergies between silvopastoral system components for carbon sequestration and an increase in cattle productivity: experience from Costa Rica and Nicaragua. In: XIII World Forestry Congress Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18–23 Oct 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward R (2005) From the mountain to the tap: how land use and water management can work for the rural poor. NR International, Ltd., DFID Forestry Research Program, Kent

    Google Scholar 

  • Heller NE, Zavaleta ES (2008) Biodiversity management in the face of climate change: a review of 22 years of recommendations. Biol Conserv 124:14–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Holt-Giménez E (2002) Measuring farmers’ agroecological resistance after Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua: a case study in participatory, sustainable land management impact monitoring. Agric Ecosyst Environ 93:87–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim M, Villanueva C, Mora J (2004) Traditional and improved silvopastoral systems and their importance in sustainability of livestock farms. In: Proceedings of an international congress on silvopastoralism and sustainable management, Lugo, Apr 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2000) Summary for policymakers: emissions scenarios. A special report of IPCC working group III. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva. http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/spm/sres-en.pdf

  • IPCC (2007) Agriculture, Chapter 8. In: Climate change 2007: mitigation. Contribution of working group III to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 498–540

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (2009) Ecosystem-based adaptation. Position paper for UNFCCC climate change talks, Bonn, 12 June 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Jindal R, Swallow B, Kerr J (2008) Forestry-based carbon sequestration projects in Africa: potential benefits and challenges. Nat Resour Forum 32:116–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein RJT, Schipper ELF, Dessai S (2005) Integrating mitigation and adaptation into climate and development policy: three research questions. Environ Sci Policy 8:579–588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein RJT, Huq S, Downing TE, Richels RG, Robinson JB, Toth FL (2007) Inter-relationships between adaptation and mitigation. In: Parry ML, Canziani OF, van der Linden PJ, Hanson CE (eds) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of working group II to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 745–777

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar BM, Nair PKR (eds) (2011) Carbon sequestration in agroforestry: processes, policy, and prospects. Springer, Berlin, 307 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Quéré C, Raupach MR, Canadell JG, Marland G, Bopp L, Ciais P, Conway TJ, Doney SC, Feely RA, Foster P, Friedlingstein P, Gurney K, Houghton RA, House JI, Huntingford C, Levy PE, Lomas MR, Majkut J, Metzl N, Ometto JP, Peters GP, Prentice IC, Randerson JT, Running SW, Sarmiento JL, Schuster U, Sitch S, Takahashi T, Viovy N, van der Werf GR, Woodward FI (2009) Trends in the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide. Nat Geosci 2:831–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leary N, Adejuwon J, Barros V, Burton I, Kulkarni J, Lasco R (2008) Climate change and adaptation. Earthscan, London, 381 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenton TM, Held H, Kriegler E, Hall JW, Lucht W, Rahmstorf S, Schellnhuber HJ (2008) Tipping elements in the Earth’s climate system. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:1786–1793

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin BB (2007) Agroforestry management as an adaptive strategy against potential microclimate extremes in coffee agriculture. Agric For Meteorol 144:85–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin BB, Perfecto I, Vandermeer J (2008) Synergies between agricultural intensification and climate change could create surprising vulnerabilities for crops. Bioscience 58:847–854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lobell DB, Burke MB, Tebaldi C, Mastrandrea MD, Falcom WP, Naylor RL (2008) Prioritizing climate change adaptation needs for food security in 2030. Science 319:607–610

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luedeling E, Sileshi G, Beedy T, Dietz J (2011) Carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems in Africa. In: Kumar BM, Nair PKR (eds) Carbon sequestration in agroforestry: processes, policy, and prospects. Springer, Berlin, pp 61–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahmood R, Pielke RA, Hubbard KG, Niyogi D, Bonan G, Lawrence P, Baker B, McNider R, McAlpine C, Etter A, Gameda S, Qian B, Carleton A, Beltran-Przekurat A, Chase T, Quintanar AI, Adegoke JO, Vezhapparambu S, Conner G, Asefi S, Sertel E, Legates DR, Wu Y, Hale R, Frauenfeld OW, Watts A, Shepherd M, Mitra C, Anantharaj VG, Fall S, Lund R, Nordfelt A, Blanken P, Du J, Chang HI, Leeper R, Nair US, Dobler S, Deo R, Syktus J (2009) Impacts of land use/land cover change on climate and future research priorities. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 91:37–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metz B (2010) Controlling climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 359 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Montagnini F, Nair PKR (2004) Carbon sequestration: an underexploited environmental benefit of agroforestry systems. Agrofor Syst 61:281–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee N, Dahdouh-Guebas F, Kapoor V, Arthur R, Koedam N, Sridhar A, Shanker K (2010) From bathymetry to bioshields: a review of post-tsunami ecological research in India and its implications for policy. Environ Manag. doi:10.1007/s00267-010-9523-1

  • Nair PKR (2012) Climate change mitigation and adaptation: a low-hanging fruit of agroforestry. In: Nair PKR, Garrity DP (eds) Agroforestry: the future of global landuse. Springer, Dordrecht, pp xx–xx

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair PKR, Kumar BM, Nair VD (2009) Agroforestry as a strategy for carbon sequestration. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 172:10–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nair PKR, Nair VD, Kumar BM, Showalter JM (2010) Carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems. Adv Agron 108:237–307

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nuberg I, Brendan G, Reid R (eds) (2009) Agroforestry for natural resource management. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyman J (2011) Ecological functions of wetlands. Biomed Life Sci 2:115–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Parry ML, Canziani OF, Palutikof JP and co-authors (2007) Technical summary. In: Parry ML, Canziani OF, van der Linden PJ, Hanson CE (eds) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of working group II to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 23–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Philpott SM, Lin BB, Jha S, Brines SA (2008) A multi-scale assessment of hurricane impacts based on land-use and topographic features. Agric Ecosyst Environ 128:12–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Postel SL, Thompson BH (2005) Watershed protection: capturing the benefits of nature’s water supply services. Nat Resour Forum 29:98–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ProAct (2008) The role of environmental management and eco-engineering in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. ProAct Network, Nyon, Aug 2008. http://www.proactnetwork.org/proactwebsite/policyresearchtoolsguidance/environmental-management-in-drr-a-cca

  • Pyke CR, Andelman SJ (2007) Land use and land cover tools for climate adaptation. Clim Chang 80:239–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramanathan V, Feng Y (2008) On avoiding dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system: formidable challenges ahead. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:14245–14250

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roshetko J, Delany M, Hairiah K, Purnomosidhi P (2002) Carbon stocks in Indonesian homegarden systems: can smallholder systems be targeted for increased carbon storage? Am J Altern Agric 17:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruf F (2008) L’hévéaculture familiale en Côte d’Ivoire. Le processus d’innovation dans la région de Gagnoa. Agence Française de Développement, Paris, 58 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherr SJ, Sthapit S (2009) Mitigating climate change through food and land use. World watch report 179. WorldWatch Institute, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G, Coutinho P, Moraes VHF, Albernaz AL (2003) Rubber agroforests at the Tapajós river, Brazilian Amazon—environmentally benign land use systems in an old forest frontier region. Agric Ecosyst Environ 97:151–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G, Laderach P, Dempewolf J, Philpott S, Haggar J, Eakin H, Castillejos T, Moreno JG, Soto Pinto L, Hernandez R, Eitzinger A, Ramirez-Villegas J (2009) Towards a climate change adaptation strategy for coffee communities and ecosystems in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Mexico. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 14:605–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G, da Mota MSS, Hills T, Soto-Pinto L, Wijayanto I, Arief CW, Zepeda Y (2011) Linking carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods near forest margins: the role of agroforestry. In: Kumar BM, Nair PKR (eds) Carbon sequestration in agroforestry: processes, policy, and prospects. Springer, Berlin, pp 179–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith P (2009) Brief 9: synergies among mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development. In: Agriculture and climate change: an agenda for negotiation in Copenhagen. 2020 vision for food, agriculture, and the environment. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC, Focus 16 May 2009. http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/focus16.pdf

  • Somarriba S, Beer J, Orihuela J, Andrade H, Cerda R, DeClerck F, Detlefsen G, Escalante M, Giraldo LA, Ibrahim M, Krishnamurthy L, Mena VE, Mora JR, Orozco L, Scheelje M, Campos JJ (2012) Mainstreaming agroforestry in Latin America. In: Nair PKR, Garrity D (eds) Agroforestry: the future of global land use. Springer, Dordrecht, pp xx–xx

    Google Scholar 

  • Soto-Pinto L, Anzueto M, Mendoza J, Ferrer GJ, Jong B (2009) Carbon sequestration through agroforestry in indigenous communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Agrofor Syst 78:39–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svadlenak-Gomez K (2009) Paying for silvopastoral systems in Matiguás, Nicaragua. Ecoagriculture Snapshot. (http://www.ecoagriculture.org/case_study.php?id=73). Feb 2009

  • Tengo M, Belfrage K (2004) Local management practices for dealing with change and uncertainty: a cross-scale comparison of cases in Sweden and Tanzania. Ecol Soc 9(3):4. http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss3/art4

    Google Scholar 

  • Toni F, Holanda E (2008) The effects of land tenure on vulnerability to droughts in Northeastern Brazil. Glob Environ Change 18:575–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNDP (2008) Key issues on land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) with an emphasis on developing country perspectives. UNDP Environment & Energy Group Publication, Bern

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP (2010) Designing climate change adaptation initiatives—a UNDP toolkit for practitioners. UNDP Bureau of Development Policy, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (2009) The environmental food crisis – the environment’s role in averting future food crises. In: Nellemann C, MacDevette M, Manders T, Eickhout B, Svihus B, Prins AG, Kaltenborn BP (eds) A UNEP rapid response assessment. United Nations Environment Programme, GRID-Arendal, Norway, www.grida.no. Feb 2009

  • UNEP RISOE (2010) Technologies for climate change adaptation coastal erosion and flooding. Magnum Publishing, New Delhi, November 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • VCS (2011) Agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) requirements document – version 3. Verified carbon standard, Washington, DC. http://v-c-s.org/program-documents

  • Verchot LV, Noordwijk MV, Kandji S, Tomich T, Ong C, Albrecht A, Mackensen J, Bantilan C, Anupama KV, Palm C (2007) Climate change: linking adaptation and mitigation through agroforestry. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 12:901–918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JW, Jackson ST (2007) Novel climates, no-analog communities, and ecological surprises. Front Ecol Environ 5:475–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This review is an output of cooperation between Conservation International and World Vision. The authors thank Christopher Shore and Flynn Bucy for their support for this work, as well as Jonathan Haskett, Hannah Cambell, Rhadika Dave, Jeff McNeely, and two anonymous reviewers for useful comments on earlier versions of the paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Paradigm Project, 619 N Cascade Ave, Suite 110, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, USA

    Johanna Matocha

  2. Federal University of Western Pará, 513, 68109-571, Santarém, Pará, Brazil

    Götz Schroth

  3. Conservation International, 2/204 Kent St, New Farm, QLD, 4005, Australia

    Terry Hills

  4. Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA

    Dave Hole

Authors
  1. Johanna Matocha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Götz Schroth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Terry Hills
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dave Hole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Götz Schroth .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sch. of Forest Resources and Conservatio, University of Florida, 118 Newins-Zielgler Hall, Box 110410, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA

    P.K. Ramachandran Nair

  2. ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Dennis Garrity

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Matocha, J., Schroth, G., Hills, T., Hole, D. (2012). Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Agroforestry and Ecosystem Conservation. In: Nair, P., Garrity, D. (eds) Agroforestry - The Future of Global Land Use. Advances in Agroforestry, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4676-3_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation