Photo: G.M. Rusch

Functional Diversity:
An ecological framework for sustainable and adaptable agro-forestry systems in landscapes of semi-arid and arid ecoregions

Based on the principles of functional ecology, FUNCiTREE addresses the provision of multiple services of silvopastoral systems (SPS) in semi-arid regions in Africa and Central America. FUNCiTREE’s aims to provide farmers in the regions with a portfolio of regionally suitable tree species which according to their attributes are capable of providing multiple services, as perceived by the farmers and in terms of fundamental ecological functions. The project integrates theories and concepts from agroforestry and ecological science and will thereby provide a scientifically based model for the design of modernized SPS.