Silvopasture is an agroforestry system that intentionally integrates woody vegetation (trees or shrubs) with the grazing of livestock and/or periodic mowing. When implemented on agricultural land, it is referred to as wood pasture, while on forest land it is known as forest grazing. Historically, silvopasture has been one of the most widespread and traditional forms of agroforestry in Europe.

Silvopasture systems improve fodder availability, offer shade and shelter for livestock, and play an increasingly important role in ecological restoration and the development of resilient, multifunctional ecosystems.

Silvoarable – Tree or Coppice Alley Cropping
This agroforestry system integrates rows of trees—planted singly or in multiple lines—with annual agricultural crops grown in the wider alleys between them. The annual crops occupy the majority of the area, while the trees contribute to diversified income, enhanced soil fertility, better water retention and infiltration, and increased mycorrhizal activity.

A variation, known as Alley Coppice, uses short-rotation coppice species such as willow, poplar, or alder, which are periodically harvested for biomass or timber.

Agro-silvo-pasture, also known as alternating cropping and grazing, is a sustainable land-use system that integrates agriculture, forestry, and livestock production within the same landscape. Trees and shrubs are managed in combination with crops and grazing animals to deliver both ecological and economic benefits.

The trees provide shade, shelter, and additional fodder for livestock while improving soil structure, fertility, and erosion control. Grazing animals, in turn, help manage vegetation, reduce pest and snail populations, and contribute natural fertilization, creating a balanced nutrient cycle.

This integrated approach enhances biodiversity, resource efficiency, and long-term environmental resilience, serving as a model for regenerative agricultural practices.

Multi-layer Tree Gardening on Agricultural Land

The Forest Garden, focusing on agricultural ecosystem mimicry, represents a form of multi-level tree gardening established on agricultural or open land. Its purpose is to replicate the complex, multi-layered structure of a natural forest while maintaining productive use of the land.

This system integrates trees, fruit trees, shrubs, and perennial or annual crops arranged in vertical strata—canopy, understory, and ground layer—to optimize light, water, and nutrient use and ensure continuous productivity throughout the growing season.

Successful establishment typically requires active management, including the creation of windbreaks, soil enhancement, and strategic plant selection, to support the transition from open land to a resilient, self-regulating ecosystem.

Integration into Existing or Regenerating Woodland

While often used interchangeably with Forest Garden in EURAF terminology, the term Food Forest more precisely refers to the intentional integration of productive and medicinal plants—including trees, fruit trees, perennials, and annuals—within an existing or regenerating forest environment, thicket, or recently cleared woodland.

This approach leverages the ecological dynamics of natural succession. Existing trees—often nitrogen-fixing pioneer species such as alder or birch—serve as nurse trees, offering protection from frost, wind, and excessive sunlight. This sheltered microclimate enables the successful establishment of more sensitive fruit, nut, or understory crops, creating a resilient, semi-wild agroforestry system that evolves with minimal disturbance.

Riparian Areas / Wind Buffer Zones – Woody Landscape Features

Woody landscape features encompass tree plantings in protective belts, isolated trees, linear rows, or clustered groups integrated within agricultural landscapes. These structures function as key complementary elements that enhance both ecological stability and agricultural productivity.

Their main purpose is to increase farm resilience by mitigating the effects of climatic extremes—such as strong winds, desiccation, and flooding—while also stabilizing soils and reducing erosion. Beyond their protective role, these features capture excess nutrients and fertilizers, support mycorrhizal networks, and enhance landscape connectivity, creating corridors for wildlife movement and water flow regulation.