Agroforestry Contributions to Ecosystem Services in Southeast Asia: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract This systematic review examines the current state of knowledge and research trends in agroforestry in the South Asian region. The study analyzed 150 scholarly publications on agroforestry techniques and their ecological, financial, and community benefits. The results show that the proportion of agroforestry-associated papers focusing on the South Asian region is rapidly increasing, but it remains tiny in comparison to the literature on the topic worldwide. The most frequently studied agroforestry systems are schemes focused on simultaneous implementation, such as planted agriculture combined with tree administration and species/natural management sanctuaries combined with genetic diversity/gene pool processes. In comparison to the West, where silvopastoral technologies are widely used, South Asia has paid less attention to agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems. Ultimately, the study identified and highlighted the types, volumes, and characteristics of agroforestry and ecological facilities research in South Asia. The findings suggest that agroforestry is a crucial strategy for improving the ecological, financial, and community benefits of a region's social-ecological systems.