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H2020Staff exchange2020–2025

UNDERTREES · Creating knowledge for UNDERsTanding ecosystem seRvicEs of agroforEStry systems through a holistic methodological framework

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2020-01-01 → 2025-06-30
EU contribution
€1,228,200
Participants
15
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Creating knowledge for UNDERsTanding ecosystem seRvicEs of agroforEStry systems through a holistic methodological framework

The objective of UNDERTREES is to form an international and inter-sectoral network of 15 organisations in Europe, Africa, South America, working on a joint research programme on agroforestry (AF) and ecosystem services (ES) assessment. The work carried out by UNDERTREES highlighted the complexity of addressing diverse systems such as agroforestry by integrating different yet complementary disciplines. Progress towards the objectives included, on the one hand, the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the factors influencing the provision of ecosystem services from agroforestry systems, in particular provisioning and regulating, in relation to climate change, emissions, water management, while maintaining sustainable levels of production of food, timber, and other benefits, e.g., contrast heat stress in livestock, provide alternative fodder. On the other hand, the training schools delivered by UNDERTREES represented an excellent space for sharing and learning across continents; as well as gather feedback on preferred learning approaches, and needs from practitioners, students and different levels, researchers, and communities who rely on production from agroforestry systems for their livelihoods. Finally, participatory approaches were paramount to engaging with all relevant actors involved in agroforestry production systems. Their knowledge and feedback on agroforestry ecosystem services was important in the definition of local action plans for developing sustainable and viable agroforestry systems. The information is the useful for future EU CAP revisions and relevant policies.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The overarching objective of UNDERTREES is to form an international and inter-sectoral network of 15 organisations in 3 continents (Europe, Africa and South America) working on a joint research programme in the field of agroforestry (AF) and ecosystem services (ES) assessment. The participants are academic, government and enterprises that will exchange skills and knowledge to progress towards key advances in agroforestry systems’ evaluation and design, while enhancing collaborative research and innovation staff exchange across different continents. Skills and knowledge exchanges with African and South America countries, where agroforestry has a sound historical role in fostering environmental and socio-economical sustainability, will advance in agroforestry systems comprehension, with significant benefits for the European environment and society. The staff members in the project will develop new skills, will be exposed to new research environments and will have their career perspectives widened. To achieve its aim UNDERTREES identified research, training, and participatory activities at 16 study sites in 5 biogeographical areas, within three thematic areas: (1) agronomic and environmental sustainability, (2) socio-economic sustainability and (3) policy development. UNDERTREES will advance research by strengthening intersectoral cross-country collaboration, will provide training and education at academic and technical level, and will engage with local, national and international stakeholders to create shared knowledge on agroforestry ES for EU agricultural policy development.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO S ANNA · PisaCoordinatorItaly
  • AGRIFOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE · BelfastUnited Kingdom
  • COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH · AccraGhana
  • COVENTRY UNIVERSITY · CoventryUnited Kingdom
  • EA GROUP SOCIEDAD COOPERATIVA DE SEGUNDO GRADO · VILLANUEVA DE LA SERENASpain
  • ENTE PARCO REGIONALE DELLA MAREMMA · GrossetoItaly
  • INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIONES AGROPECUARIAS · QUITOEcuador
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE · SantiagoChile
  • Sokoine University of Agriculture · MorogoroTanzania
  • TANZANIA FOREST SERVICES AGENCY · DAR ES SALAAMTanzania
  • THE HEART OF ENGLAND FOREST · STRATFORD UPON AVONUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION · ConcepcionChile
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE EXTREMADURA · BadajozSpain
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA · Santiago De CompostelaSpain
  • VEXIZA SOCIEDAD LIMITADA · LeonSpain

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union