Agroforestry for the Peruvian Amazon

The book is a collection of studies focuses on assessing the sustainability, both environmental and economical, of agroforestry systems and methods around Pucallpa city, Peruvian Amazon. The results of an analysis focused on the explanation of the dynamics of shifting cultivation cycles among local small-scale farmers and factors influencing the decision-making of farmers are presented. As the major problem in local slash-and-burn farming is infestation by noxious grassy weed Imperata, the possible methods to control this grass and their performance is outlined. The tree species Inga edulis, one of the most widely distributed and economically useful tree species in the whole Amazon region, is reviewed. Biomass growth, the use in improved fallows and the potential of this species to improve soil fertility and control weeds is discussed. Main results of establishment, adoption and economic perspectives of multistrata agroforestry systems among local small-scale farmers and recommendations on how to improve their adoption are presented. The influence of these agroforestry systems on insect biodiversity was also assessed.