Choosing the appropriate tree for current and future suitable location is an important step and primary aspect in developing agroforestry systems. Indigenous agroforestry systems have been practiced for centuries in the Himalaya Mountains and adjoining region. The understanding of the impact of climate change and phenomena distribution of agroforestry needs the improvement of yield and ecosystem function.

Dr. Sailesh Ranjitkar, scientific staff in Prof. XU Jianchu’s research team at Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) of Chinese Academy of Sciences studied spatial distribution of 10 agroforestry potential species in the Yunnan Province of China. The team aimed to find the right agroforestry species to promote at right place and the mixed agroforestry system using selected species.

The researchers used a multi-model ensemble approach based on ecological niche modelling to understand the impact of climate on distribution of agroforestry trees in Yunnan Province of China. The models generated in the study explained suitable habitat and identified potential locations for mixed agroforestry. They suggested west and southwest Yunnan as important location for tea and alder-based agroforestry, while southern parts of Yunnan suited for tea and hog plum (see Figure), and northern parts could support walnut-based agroforestry options.

The study entitled “Climate modelling for agroforestry species selection in Yunnan Province, China” was published in Environmental Modelling & Software. 

This research was supported by the project of Building effective water governance in the Asian Highlands, National Science Foundation of China, National Key Basic Research Program of China, the Applied Fundamental Research Foundation of Yunnan and the CGIAR research programs on ‘Forests, Trees and Agroforestry’ and ‘Climate change adaptation and mitigation’.

Figure: Climatically suitable zones for mixed agroforestry in Yunnan with a) Choerospondias axillaris and b) Alnus nepalensis as shade trees in the future climate. An refers to Alnus nepalensis, Ca – Camellia assamica, Cs – C. sinensis, Ct – C. taliensis, Chs –Choerospondias axillaris, Jr – Juglans regia, Js – J. sigillata and Sw – Scleropyrum wallichianum. (Image by)