211-441 Agroforestry

Credit Points:

When taken from Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture:

16

When taken from Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture:

12.5

When taken from Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning:

12.5

Coordinator:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

On completion of this subject, students should: have first-hand experience of a wide range of agroforestry projects and their management; have an appreciation of the historical development of agroforestry (in all its forms) both within Australia and overseas; be able to prepare and present whole farm plans; understand the light, moisture and nutrient relations within integrated agroforestry systems; appreciate the potential role of trees in controlling land degradation; understand the role of trees in providing shade and shelter; be familiar with the multidisciplinary experimental designs appropriate for agroforestry systems; have a practical knowledge of the management of trees, crops and stock in agroforestry systems; have an understanding of methods of economic analysis of agroforestry systems and the taxation implications for farmers; and appreciate the nature of agroforestry as an agricultural innovation and its potential for widespread adoption by farmers.

Content:

Trees in the rural landscape: aesthetics, wind-breaks, shelter, soil conservation, salinity control, fuel, fodder, timber production. Agroforestry systems: the world scene, agroforestry in the tropics, agroforestry in Australia and New Zealand. Case studies. Processes: competition between trees and herbaceous plants for water, nutrients and light, design of agroforestry experiments, simulation modelling. Management of agroforestry systems. Economics of agroforestry. Extension and agroforestry.

Assessment: