Syntropic Agroforestry

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Syntropic Agroforestry is a whole systems approach to agroforestry developed by a Swiss-Brazillian agronomist names Ernst Gotsch. It is a system of managed succession, where high-biodiversity plantings in rows and aisles are actively managed with pruning and harvest to accelerate evolution of a dynamic and productive ecosystem. The end point replicates the structure of native forest. Because is designs complex and productive systems that can then be "released" as mature native forest, it may provide a useful framework for more intensive and biodiverse restoration of native vegetation on disturbed sites, that also provides harvest opportunities (see Working Buffer Pilot Project and Native Riparian Agroforestry.

Notes

• Most substantive materials are currently in Portuguese.
• File:Geitzen 2019 syntropic agroforestry.pdf is among the first technical interpretations of Syntropic Agroforestry distributed in English (and other languages) by an advocate to support community development in Haiti.
• https://agendagotsch.com/en/ - is the website of the originator of these methods.
• Plants are organized in terms of their time to production, and their tolerance of life under canopy. A wide mix of species are planted simultaneously or in quick succession.
• A substantial set of plants are grown primarily for biomass production, and aggressive pruning and placement of debris is used to accelerate soil development, increase water retention, and increase nutrient cycling.
• Tropical rates of growth and decomposition are much higher. A temperate system may be slower.
• Tropical solar radiation is perhaps 30% more intense than at our latitudes, and so syntropic systems are operating with a much higher overall energy budget, allowing for more leaf area per area of ground.
• Higher labor costs may affect the economic viability of syntropic systems under existing economic conditions.
• Marc Leiber has been working and writing Temperate Europe - http://www.growback.net/
• Misty Creek Agroforestry in Australia

Videos

Life in Syntropy

This is a video published in portugese to publicize the concept of Syntropic Agroforestry

Porvenir Design Workshop

A 45 minute presentation in English from an experienced American practitioner in Costa Rican

An additional video

facts or skills acquired by a person through experience or education.