@misc{TsonkovaMirckBoehmetal., author = {Tsonkova, Penka and Mirck, Jaconette and B{\"o}hm, Christian and F{\"u}tz, Bettina}, title = {Addressing farmer-perceptions and legal constraints to promote agroforestry in Germany}, series = {Agroforestry Systems}, volume = {92}, journal = {Agroforestry Systems}, number = {4}, issn = {1572-9680}, doi = {10.1007/s10457-018-0228-4}, pages = {1091 -- 1103}, abstract = {Agroforestry is receiving increasing attention in Germany because of its capacity to address some of the negative consequences of intensive agriculture. However the actual uptake and maintenance of agroforestry by farmers remains low. The aim of this study was to identify the opportunities and obstacles to agroforestry in Germany and to identify potential measures which could address the obstacles and increase agroforestry adoption. Qualitative interviews with 32 farmers indicated that the legal framework and administrative burden associated with agroforestry in Germany was a major obstacle. The farmers recognised that agroforestry provided environmental benefits, but these do not always increase farm profitability. Agroforestry was identified as a viable alternative to conventional farming systems, especially in less productive areas, not profitable when managed in a conventional way. To enhance the implementation of agroforestry the simplification of the legal framework is crucial. Modern agroforestry should be better recognized by existing policy measures providing payments for environmentally friendly farming. Ultimately, an integrated approach for environmental benefits and production objectives is required, which is based on rewarding farmers for providing ecosystem services (ESs) and a stronger public involvement in sustainable land use practices. Rewarding farmers for ESs could increase the interest in agroforestry in highly productive areas, enhancing sustainable land use in the long term.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{TsonkovaMirckBoehmetal., author = {Tsonkova, Penka and Mirck, Jaconette and B{\"o}hm, Christian and F{\"u}tz, Bettina and Freese, Dirk}, title = {The lack of a clear definition of agroforestry hinders its acceptance in Germany}, series = {Celebrating 20 years of Agroforestry research in Europe, 3rd European Agroforestry Conference, Montpellier, 23-25 May 2016, Book of Abstracts}, booktitle = {Celebrating 20 years of Agroforestry research in Europe, 3rd European Agroforestry Conference, Montpellier, 23-25 May 2016, Book of Abstracts}, editor = {Gosme, Marie}, isbn = {978-2-87614-717-1}, pages = {259 -- 262}, abstract = {Agroforestry systems are receiving increasing attention in the temperate region due to their ability to counteract negative consequences of intensively managed agricultural fields. Examples of traditional agroforestry (AF) in central Europe are orchard meadows "Streuosbt", hedgerows "Knicks" and windbreaks. Traditional AF systems are considered to be areas of high natural and cultural value (HNCV), and as such have been recognized to support high biodiversity levels. Recently, modern AF systems which are well adapted to the current farming practices and are compatible with mechanized agriculture have emerged. Modern practices such as alley cropping system for woody biomass production (ACS), composed of strips of fast growing trees and agricultural crops grown in alleys between the tree rows, can supply market goods and environmental services at the same time (Gruenewald et al. 2007, Quinkenstein et al. 2009). However, farmers in Germany have been reluctant to implement the latter systems, because agricultural policies have limited the number of trees within agricultural systems, while the former have been in danger of abandonment throughout Europe. As a result many farmers have lost interest in AF, and those that inherited land with traditional AF systems may not recognize them as such, because they are not recognized as AF according to the EU policy. The aim of this work was to investigate familiarity with agroforestry in Germany.}, language = {en} }