Assessment of agroforestry-based cropping systems for carbon sequestration and livelihood security

Abstract

Across the Swiss Plateau, scattered walnut and cherry trees in arable fields—a centuries-old practice—are disappearing as farmers prioritise mechanisation. This research assessed two agroforestry configurations—multistrata and silvopasture—against monocrop controls for carbon sequestration rate, total system productivity, and household income over a 10-year monitoring period (2013-2023) at ETH Zurich’s Eschikon Field Station. Multistrata agroforestry sequestered 22.9 Mg C/ha over the decade, compared with a 2.9 Mg C/ha loss under monocropping. Total economic returns from multistrata exceeded monocrop by 34.7% when timber, fruit, and carbon credit values were included. These findings demonstrate that well-designed agroforestry can simultaneously store carbon and enhance farm income in temperate European systems.