The document proposes a new classification system for agroforestry systems in tropical China. The classification is based on woodland type, distinguishing between natural forests like primary and secondary forests, and artificial plantations. It identifies six main agroforestry system types - three for natural forests with crops integrated among ancient tea gardens, Amomum sp. plantations, and secondary forests. The other three types are for artificial plantations, including timber trees, non-timber trees, and protection forests integrated with various crops. Representative models are described for different system types. The conclusions emphasize the importance of distinguishing forest and plantation management, and note agroforestry can provide advantages over monocultures.

1. AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN CHINAPROPOSED CLASSFICATION FOR
TROPICAL CHINA
Xiao Guo
Prof. Antonio García Abril
Research Group for Sustainable
Environmental Management
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

2.  Introduction
 New Classification for Chinese Tropical
Agroforestry systems
 Representative models
 Conclusions

3. Introduction
 In China the trend of converting natural forest
into artificial plantations still continues
 Management strategies for systems in natural
forest and artificial plantations must be differ
 Establish a new classification which is clear and
specific for tropical China

4. Study area
(www.kepu.net.cn, Science museums of China)

5. Different Woodland Coverage (ha) in Tropical China
Primary Forest
Artificial Plantations
Secondary Forest
633800
5.90%
4671100
43.47%
5440000
50.63%

6. New Classification for Tropical China
 The clasification is based on woodland (forest or
plantation) type
Primary Forest
Natural Forest
Secondary Forest
Timber trees
Non-timber trees
Artificial Plantations
Protection forest
Homegardens

7. 1st Level
2se Level
3th Level
Basic
and usage of
Agroforestry
Trees
Components
Natural Forest+
Forest
Land cover
Characteristic
(1) Primary
Type of
Crops/ Trees
Natural
Forest
4th Level
Model with Complex
Model with Simple
Structure
Structure
(Multi-structure)
(1a) Ancient tea garden
(1b) Primary forest with
Amomum sp.
Secondary
(2) Secondary
Forest
Forest+
(2a) Secondary Forest+
Crop/trees/
Amomum. sp
Vines/ cut-leaf
plants
(3a) Homalium hainanense/
Gmelina hainanensi+ Alpinia
(3) Timber Trees
Trees+ Crops
oxyphylla/ Amomum villosum/
coffee
(3b)Pine+ annual crops/
mashroom
Trees+
Crops/pastures/a
(4) Non-timber
nimals
Trees
or
Artificial
Trees+ Crops and
Plantation
Animals
Shelterbelts/Wind
(5) Protection
Trees
breaks+
Commercial Crops
(Rubber-Tea/Café/Pineapp
(4a.1) Rubber-Tea-Chicken
le)
(4b) Fruit Trees con Crops
(5a) Shelterbelt + Crops
(4b.1) Coconut – Café - Alpinia
oxyphlla
(5a.1) Shelterbelt+Rubber+Tea
Crops/Trees
Fences
Traditional
Homegardens
(6) Homegarden
(4a) Rubber con Crops/
Multi-productive
(5b)legumes
(5b.1)
(Nitrogen-fixing) +Corps
Leguminosas+Crops+Trees
(6a)
Fruit
Tree/
Crops
Vegetables + Ornamental Plants
+

8.  1a) Ancient tea garden in Xishuangbannan
The ancient tea garden is more similar to natural
forests, and is completely different to modern tea
plantations

9. 1b) The plantation of Amomum Villosum in
rainforest of Xishuangbanna
Amomum villosun is a shade medicical plant
form the south China

10. 1b) The plantation of Amomum Villosum in
rainforest of Xishuangbanna
 It the most planted medicinal plant in
Xishuangbanna’s natural forest and has great
impact
 Need a density of canopy under 70%; almost all
the shrubs and herbs were removed, only some
tall trees were kept
 70%-90% species were lost, the regeneration of
the forest was broke

11. 2. Secondary forests
 Most tropical secondary forests are not in good
quality. They are fragile and sensitive,
 With proper management, the secondary
forests have great potential for production and
recover their ecological function
 2a) Amomum villosum in secondary forests

12. Crops with artificial plantations
 3. Timber:
Timber production is the main objective of the plantations and trees,
including firewood.
 4. Non-timber Tree:
Trees are generally the fate of fruit, edible oils, beverages, spices,
medicinal, and industrial raw materials;
 5. Protection Woodland:
The primary purpose of trees is protection, such as water and soil
conservation, protection against wind and sand fixation, protection of
farmland and grassland, coastal protection, riverbanks and highways；
 6. Homegardens

13. 3. Timber Trees
 The main timber trees planted in tropical China are
evergreen broadleaf trees
 Homalium
hainanense,
Gmelina
hainanensis,
Alnus
nepalensis, Cinnamomum glanduliferum, Camptotheca acuminata, and
Cassia siamea (firewood)
 The production cycle is very long, intercropping with
some crop species who can harvest in
term, usually can get good economic benefits.
short

14. 3a) Endemic timber trees with medicincal plant in
Hainan
Homalium hainanense and Gmelina
hainanensis, are precious endemic Hainan
trees

15. Conclusions
 The
classification
based
on
the
type,
considers
the
forest
as
a
component, distinguishes management
applied in forests and plantations.
woodland
separate
measures
 For primary forests, the measures should be conditioned
on forests protection and biodiversity conservation
 Agroforestry systems in secondary forests still need
more research.
 Agroforestry systems in artificial plantations have
significant advantages than single-species monocultures
or silviculture.

16.  The homegarden is most widely used agroforestry
system in rural area, and has been the site of
introduction of new varieties and the domestication of
wild species
 A typical feature of agroforestry in China is the tea
garden, both in natural forests and artificial plantations.
 The generation of efficient and sustainable agroforestry
systems needs political support, the involvement of local
people, training, and technical assistance.

17. Thank you!
Xiao Guo
Center for China-Africa Agriculture and Forestry Research
Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University& International Network for
Bamboo and Rattan
Tel. +86 571-63746816
E-mail: xiaoguo@zafu.edu.cn
guoxiao.china@gmail.com