Agroforestry systems were developing throughout human development. Despite its ecological and socioeconomic benefits, some agroforestry practices have an adverse impact on the ecology and social security. A few specific agroforestry techniques are employed as motivations to convert natural or semi-natural forests into plantations, which degrades natural forests.
Considering transitions and negatives, now Multi-Functional Agroforestry concept is picking up.
Agroforestry, a scientific term for tree-based intercropping has been transformed in the last five decades. A number of productive and protective agroforestry systems have been developed so far, which are particular to eco-regions.
A transition in productive systems is required for optimization, and that's what moderation in old practices has made it to achieve. Compared to traditional agroforestry systems, now agroforestry plantations are raised at optimum densities (recommended on a scientific basis) to fulfill industrial as well as farmer requirements. The success has not only been achieved in improving tree productivity but also a number of intercrops have been tested for their best compatibility with trees. And still, the research wings are on the route to find other options to make it more diverse.
If we try to weigh the positive and negative impacts of agroforestry on ecology, then it's always the benefits that outweigh the negative impacts.
Restricting particular to negative impacts: Competitive interactions in ecological terms are proven to be the main negative impact of agroforestry components.
In some studies, it is found that trees serve as seat for phytophagous insect-pest attacks, which may sometimes also affect agricultural intercrops.
Microclimatic ameliorations sometimes make congenial conditions for different species of fungi and bacteria that are the causal agents of many diseases.
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