Project Number: 6227-21660-002-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Sep 04, 2003
End Date: Jun 23, 2008

Objective:
Objectives are: 1. Optimize complementary interactions among over- and understory components; 2. Increase the functionality of hardwood floodplains; 3.Improve the environmental benefits of agroforestry; and 4. Assess the socio-economic and market factors that affect agroforestry adoption.

Approach:
Experiments on the effects of tree spacing and orientation on forage production in hardwood and pine stands will be conducted to determine configurations for maximum forage and wood production. Forage species and varieties that persist under shade will be identified. Black walnut, chestnut, and pecan genotypes will be evaluated for nut and wood production. Management practices to optimize gourmet mushroom and other specialty crops in forest farming practices will be evaluated. Ability of trees and buffers to reduce off-site environmental impacts will be assessed in field experiments to determine impact of trees on run-off and subsurface water quality and volume. Efforts of this research will contribute to GRACEnet by assessing the impact of agroforestry practices in soil C sequestration and plant C accumulation in the tree component.