​​​Implementing sustainable food forests: Extracting success factors through a cross-case comparison

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The article Implementing sustainable food forests: Extracting success factors through a cross-case comparison’’ by Stefanie Albrecht and Arnim Wiek explores the implementation of food forests, which are multistrata ecosystems providing food, livelihood opportunities, and environmental services. The study focuses on seven food forests, mostly in Europe, and examines their organization and management.​

Key findings include:

Success Factors: Long-term land access, sufficient start-up funds, and adequate farming and entrepreneurial know-how are crucial for the successful implementation of food forests2.

Challenges: Food forests face particular obstacles such as securing long-term land access and funding, which are not unique to them but are significant barriers.

Guidance: The study offers guidance to food entrepreneurs, public officials, and activists on how to successfully implement food forests to realize their full sustainability potential.

The article provides a detailed reconstruction of the implementation paths of the selected food forests, highlighting the importance of organization and management in achieving success.
 

View of Implementing sustainable food forests
 

Rainwater harvesting in catchments for agro-forestry uses: A study focused on the balance between sustainability values and storage capacity

 

The study explores the use of rainwater harvesting (RWH) to support small-scale agriculture and manage seasonal water availability, particularly in regions with scattered populations or high costs for developing surface or groundwater resources. The research focuses on the Sabor River basin in Northeast Portugal, a rural area where agriculture and forestry are dominant.

Key points include:

• The study introduces an improved RWH site allocation method that uses dam wall height as an evaluation parameter.

• The height of the dam walls significantly impacts the irrigation capacity and storage of harvested rainwater.

• Small-height dams (3 meters) are more sustainable but have limited irrigation capacity, suitable for areas smaller than 10 hectares.

• Increasing the dam wall height to 6 or 12 meters improves irrigation capacity but may compromise sustainability values.

• The study ranks 384 sub-catchments based on their suitability for RWH sites for crop irrigation and wildfire combat.

The research highlights the balance between ecological sustainability and storage capacity, emphasizing the need for engineered dams to support larger-scale agro-forestry uses while maintaining sustainability values

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Rainwater harvesting in catchments for agro-forestry uses: A study focused on the balance between sustainability values and storage capacity - ScienceDirect

 

The Imperative for Regenerative Agriculture

 

The article reviews the current state of agriculture, highlighting issues such as soil erosion and dependence on fossil fuels, which threaten food security for the growing global population. Soil is described as "the fragile, living skin of the Earth," and its health is crucial for the global nexus of soil-water-air-energy. How we treat the soil can significantly impact climate change, either positively or negatively.

Regenerative agriculture aims to improve soil health or restore degraded soil, enhancing water quality, vegetation, and land productivity. By using regenerative methods, it is possible to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) in existing soils and build new soil. This process draws down carbon from the atmosphere, improves soil structure and health, boosts soil fertility and crop yields, enhances water retention and aquifer recharge, and reduces soil erosion by minimizing runoff.

The article emphasizes the importance of local food production in preserving soil quality. Urban food production can contribute significantly to regenerative agriculture if regenerative methods are employed. To reduce fossil fuel use and preserve soil quality, integrated design approaches such as permaculture and the circular economy should be incorporated into urban infrastructure. Additionally, actions like draught-proofing and thermally insulating buildings, and living and working on a more local scale, can help reduce overall energy consumption.

In summary, the article argues that moving from the current linear model of resource consumption ("take, make, dispose") to a systemic, circular model ("reduce, reuse, recycle, regenerate"  is essential to meet the demands of future generations.

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The Imperative for Regenerative Agriculture - Christopher J. Rhodes, 2017

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Agricultural sustainability and food security

 

The article on agricultural sustainability and food security discusses the critical role of agriculture in human survival and the challenges posed by increasing population and limited resources. It highlights the historical reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to boost crop yields, which has led to environmental degradation and threats to food security. The article emphasizes the need for sustainable farming practices that are ecologically compatible and organic to improve food security and nutrition globally.

Key points include:

• The negative impact of excessive chemical use on soil, water, air, and biodiversity.

• The importance of sustainable agricultural practices to meet the growing population's needs while conserving the environment.

• The role of beneficial soil microbes in maintaining soil health and promoting plant growth.

• The potential of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• The need for global collaboration among governments, scientists, and farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices and policies.

The article concludes that integrating traditional biological methods with modern biotechnological innovations is essential for achieving food security and sustainability in agriculture.

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Agricultural sustainability and food security | Environmental Sustainability

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