Horticultural agroforestry systems in three regions of France: an ecosystemic design

Abstract

Horticultural agroforestry systems (AFSh) are innovative agroecosystems created by farmers
and peasants. Such systems are not well documented in France. This paper aims at characterizing
the key features of the agroecological design of such complex systems. Field studies
conducted in 20 farms from three French regions showed that this design is aimed to optimize
production and generate ecosystemic functions. The AFSh are conveying diverse patterns
both in terms of agrobiodiversity (19 fruit trees and 60 vegetables) and combination of agro-ecological
practices. The Shannon index showed that the farms more diverse are located in the
southeastern of France. On the basis of the Agrobiodiversity and the richness of species were
established three different categories of farms. A great variation in the design of SAFh leads to
the deepening of the study of these systems.