So you want to go 4D: Planting Trees into your Farmscape

So you want to go 4Dplanning trees into your farmscape

Christopher Buschhaus, PhD Hannah Buschhaus, MSc

ACORN Conference 2015 Charlottetown, PEI, Canada 2015.11.25

Outline

• Introduction

• Agroforestry – facets

• Agroforestry – functions

• Going 4(D) it…

• Practical notes

• Further questions

Row

1 D (line)

Row

Field

2 D (area)

Row

Field

2 D (area)

Row

Field

Crop rotation

3 D (area x time)

Row

Field

Crop rotation

Succession planting

3 D (area x time)

Row

Field

Crop rotation

Succession planting

?

4 D (volume x time)

Agroforestry“a land management approach that purposefully integrates the growing of trees with crops or livestock” 1

1 http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/agroforestry/ 2 Smith et al. 2014. Elements of Ecology. Canadian edition. Pearson Canada, Inc.

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Biodiversity“composite measure of biological variation; incorporates genetic, species, and regional diversity” 2

1 Photo credit: Hannah Buschhaus 2 Smith et al. 2014. Elements of Ecology. Canadian edition. Pearson Canada, Inc.


1

1 http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/organicseed/organic/ 2 Smith et al. 2014. Elements of Ecology. Canadian edition. Pearson Canada, Inc.


1



1



1

Species richness



1



1

Species evenness



1

Species evenness



1



1Why do we care about biodiversity?







Canopy

Understory

Shrub layer

Herb layer

Ground

Outline

• Introduction




• Practical notes


Buffers

Integrate

d riparian systems

Buffers

Silvopasture

Integrate

d riparian systems

Buffers

Shade systems

Silvopasture

Integrate

d riparian systems

Buffers

Shade systems

Silvopasture

Sun systems

Integrate

d riparian systems

Buffers

Outline

• Introduction




• Practical notes


Pollinator habitat

Pollinator habitat Beneficials habitat

• Windbreak • Odour reduction

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/science-and-innovation/agricultural-practices/agroforestry/

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/science-and-innovation/agricultural-practices/agroforestry/shelterbelt-planning-and-establishment

• Sight break / privacy screen

• Waterway protection • Biomass/fuel source

PEI Buffer zone fact sheet. Department of Environment, Labour, and Justice


• Waterway protection • Biomass/fuel source

• Additional revenue • Carbon sequestration • Beautification • Biodiversity booster

Outline

• Introduction




• Practical notes



• Density • Longevity • Establishment time

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/science-and-innovation/agricultural-practices/agroforestry

Outline

• Introduction




• Practical notes


Do It Your Self . . . Propagation cuttings rooted material coppicing beds

Cuttings . . . . . . In field propagation

Willow, poplar, etc.

2 bud minimum

Angled bottom cut

Keep moist

Cuttings . . . . . . In field propagation

Willow, poplar, etc.

2 bud minimum

Angled bottom cut

Keep moist

Rooted MaterialTransplanting

1st year survival critical

Water!!!!

Do It Your Self . . . Propagation cuttings rooted material coppicing beds Maintenance water weed control

Outline

• Introduction




• Practical notes


Di• Benefits • Drawbacks

• Canopy layers • Tree diversity lists • Shrub diversity lists

• Combinations matter

• Animal corridors • Pollinators • Insects (good and bad) • Birds • Hawk posts for vole/mouse

Outline• Introduction • Agroforestry facets • Mechanisms of function / ecology (pollination, ipm, windbreak,

hedgerow, microclimate, crop protection, increasing biodiversity) • Starting up: • Goals (windbreak, sightbreak, pollinator food, habitat, biomass/

fuel…, multitasking) • Budget (time, equipment, trees, etc) • Spacing/apps for trees/shrubs • Practical guides – on-a-budget, weeds, tree selection,

propagation, etc.

• A major goal of organic production is managing for biological diversity. Intentional management of the 4th dimension through such systems as hedgerows and shelterbelts benefits both wild and cultivated diversity while simultaneously providing economic benefits to the farming operation. This presentation will highlight the broad framework of 4D-farming before delving into the practical considerations of implementing on-farm agroforestry.

• Overview of the multi-faceted aspects of agroforestry • Mechanisms of function / ecology (pollination, windbreak,



propagation, etc.


hedgerow, microclimate, crop protection, increasing biodiversity) • Developing hedgerows/ windbreaks for market-garden farms: • Goals / purpose • Budget (time, equipment, trees, etc) • Practical guides – on-a-budget, weeds, tree selection, spacing,

propagation, etc.




propagation, etc.

silvopasture

Row

Field

Crop rotation

Succession planting

?

Shade systems

Silvopasture

Sun systems

Integrate

d riparian systems

Buffers

• Pollinator habitat • Beneficials habitat • Windbreak • Sightbreak • Odour reduction • Waterway protection • Biomass/fuel source • Additional revenue • Carbon sequestration • Beautification • Biodiversity booster

So you want to go 4D: planning trees into your farmscape

(a closer examination of hedgerows and windbreaks)
