New study: Syntropic Agroforestry, a game-changer for peri-urban socio-ecological functions
18. July 2023
![Community Planting](https://recelio.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/recelio-community-resilience-agroforestry_stripe-1024x331.jpg)
We’re excited to share this study conducted by the University of Milan, to which recelio and Soulfood Forestfarms Italy contributed significantly.
The Study
The study has shed light on the transformative potential of Syntropic Agroforestry, here referred to as “Multi-strata Agroforestry”.
The study, titled “Agroforestry as a Driver for the Provisioning of Peri-Urban Socio-Ecological Functions: A Trans-Disciplinary Approach“, was conducted at the Milano Porta Verde (MPV) agroecology hub.
The focus was not just on the agroforestry plot, but it encompassed a variety of different land-use systems, providing a comprehensive view of the potential of agroforestry practices.
The results
Absolutely inspiring!
Syntropic Agroforestry demonstrated a remarkable capacity to enhance the potential supply of ecosystem services, including support, provisioning, regulating, and cultural aspects.
It facilitated higher ecological niche variability, improved refuge and reproduction area accessibility, and increased permeability to individual and species movements.
But that’s not all.
The impact of Syntropic Agroforestry
The study also highlighted the role of Syntropic Agroforestry in reactivating a sense of place values.
The woody and productive patches played a significant role in supporting diffused ecosystem services delivery across the peri-urban agricultural landscape.
Syntropic Agroforestry is not just about producing food.
It’s about fostering biodiversity, bolstering ecological resilience, and adapting socio-culturally to climate change.
It’s a framework for regeneration, creating value for all stakeholders.
We’re incredibly proud to have contributed to the creation of the system that has been studied. This study reaffirms our belief in the power of Syntropic Agroforestry and motivates us to continue our work in this field.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Alice Giulia Dal Borgo, Gemma Chiaffarelli, Valentina Capocefalo, Andrea Schievano, Stefano Bocchi, Ilda Vagge, and the entire Soulfood Forestfarms team for their invaluable contribution to this study.
Download the PDF here: “Agroforestry as a Driver for the Provisioning of Peri-Urban Socio-Ecological Functions: A Trans-Disciplinary Approach”
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![(a) The potential ecosystem services matrix for CS and TS, with ES values ranging from 1 to 4. (b) The spatialization of total ES supply (EStot) results for CS and TS, highlighting the role of cultural ecosystem services contributions (blue-circled patches).](https://recelio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/sustainability-15-11020-g007-728x1024.jpg)