Agroforestry with N2-fixing trees: sustainable development’s friend or foe?

Rosenstock, T.S. et al. | Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability | 2014 | Peer Reviewed | Review | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877343513001218

Abstract

Legume tree-based farming systems sit at a crucial nexus of agroecological sustainability. Their capacity to support microbial N2 fixation can increase soil nitrogen (N) availability and therefore improve soil fertility, crop yields, and support long-term stewardship of natural resources. However, increasing N availability oftentimes catalyzes the release of N into the surrounding environment, in particular nitrous oxide (N2O) — a potent greenhouse gas. We summarize current knowledge on the agroecological footprint of legume-based agroforestry and provide a first appraisal of whether the technology represents a pathway toward sustainable development or an environmental hazard.