GC52D-05 Assessing the Impact of Abandoning Historical Agroforestry Practices on Carbon Dioxide removal: implication for restoration policies

Abstract

Agroforestry systems (AFSs), the practice of integrating trees with agriculture or livestock, have been a staple of European land use since ancient times, combining features from natural and human systems to offer numerous economic, sociocultural, and environmental benefits. The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2023-2027 seeks to restore AFSs to promote climate-resilient agriculture. However, these policies often face criticism for their ineffectiveness and controversy, particularly regarding reduced competitiveness against imports. Key weaknesses include minimal farmer engagement, lack of training and economic incentives, and psychological barriers to transitioning from monoculture to AFSs.

Focusing on the Po-Venetian Plain (PVP, Northern Italy), a major European hotspot for atmospheric pollution, this study analyses the physical characteristics and the economic and environmental benefits of historic AFSs , and how land use and land cover change (LULCC) in the last century affected the carbon stock potential of agriculture at a regional scale. Scenario-based analysis further highlights the environmental benefits of restoring historic AFSs as part of the transition to carbon-smart agriculture. Contemporary remote sensing data are employed to compare and validate future projections derived from scenario analysis.

This research aims to inform future policies about environmental and economic trade-offs by projecting the environmental benefits and economic feasibility of cross-sectoral interactions from restoring historic AFSs, thereby guiding improvements in policy design and encouraging farmer acceptance. By concentrating on the regional findings from the PVP, this study represents a pivotal step that will be further expanded from regional to continental scales and capture teleconnections among regions. The insights gained from the PVP can inform broader EU and global climate models and policies, highlighting how the regional restoration of agroforestry practices can contribute to global adaptation and mitigation to climate change. This connection ensures that localised studies are integrated into larger frameworks, enhancing the overall effectiveness of climate mitigation efforts.
 

Plain-language Summary

This study investigates how abandoning traditional agroforestry practices, which involve integrating trees with crops or livestock, impacts the environment and carbon dioxide removal. Historically, these practices have provided numerous benefits, including economic gains and improved ecosystem health. The European Union's recent agricultural policies aim to revive agroforestry to create more climate-resilient farming systems. However, these policies face challenges such as limited farmer engagement, lack of training, and insufficient economic incentives. We focused our research on the Po-Venetian Plain in Northern Italy, a region known for high pollution levels. By examining changes in land use over the past century, we assessed how the decline of agroforestry has affected carbon storage. Using modern remote sensing data, we compared current and future scenarios to show the potential environmental benefits of restoring these practices. Our findings suggest that bringing back traditional agroforestry can significantly improve carbon storage and support climate-smart agriculture. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for better-designed policies that encourage farmer participation. The regional data from the Po-Venetian Plain can also inform broader European and global climate strategies, demonstrating how local actions, integrated into larger frameworks, can contribute to global climate goals.