Ecosystem Services Through Agroforestry Systems and Its Sustainability

An increase in pressure on the natural resources triggered by human activities and population growth has changed and narrowed the aptitude of ecosystems to function and offer services, hence resulting in environmental instability. The decline in the ecosystem’s ability to offer services is highly attributed to the deforestation process mainly through agricultural activities that led to climate change resulting in the depletion of forest cover, soil erosion, flooding, soil fertility depletion, frequent and severe storms, extreme drought, and other natural disasters. Such negative effects on the ecosystems call for crucial attention. This review focuses on the interactive effect of the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems and the potential of agroforestry and explores the different agroforestry practices that enhance social, economic, and environmental benefits. However, the review will deeply discuss the use of agroforestry system in offering various ecological services and restoring the ability of the ecosystem to tackle various global environmental challenges like greenhouse emissions, soil erosion air and water pollution, soil fertility decline, floods, and extreme temperatures as well as food insecurity. Agroforestry systems offer various ecosystem services including sequestration of carbon, pest control, product diversification, soil enrichment, pollination/seed dispersal, biodiversity conservation, and air and water quality. The agroforestry system can be a feasible land-use system in attenuating poverty, ensuring human security, food security, and environmental benefits, hence achieving social, economic, and environmental sustainability through the agroforestry system.