IS SILVOPASTURE A FEASIBLE AGROFORESTRY PRACTICE FOR LONGLEAF PINE?

摘要

Longleaf pine restoration efforts focus on the entire system, from overstory trees to understory shrubs, forbes, and grasses. While whole-system restoration represents a worthy ideal, it is not always a practical alternative for many landowners in today's economic climate. Silvopasture or agroforestry with row cropping can be developed from existing natural stands, plantations, or from pasturelands. They can also provide economic alternatives, such as livestock or agricultural crop production. Additional non-wood products and services include wildlife, medicinal plants, carbon credits, or biofuels, providing landowners with more frequent income while waiting for overstory trees to become merchantable. The possibilities for alternate income sources associated with agroforestry are numerous and may represent substantial income opportunities in uncertain economic times. Alternative income possibilities will be discussed as will the necessity to locate and secure dependable market outlets to supply a steady cash flow for forest landowners.