AFaktive – Agroforstwirtschaft als Schlüssel zur Verbesserung des Wassermanagements und der Anpassung an extreme Wetterereignisse

The AFaktive project develops, tests and disseminates new approaches for improved water management in the landscape through the implementation of agroforestry systems. As a nature-based solution, agroforestry, i.e. the targeted combination of trees or shrubs with traditional agricultural use, can help to improve water retention in the landscape and protect against drought, erosion and flooding. Agroforestry thus has the potential to make agriculture and people in Europe more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events.

The project will massively promote the implementation of agroforestry systems for improved water management at farm and regional level at model and demonstration sites in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Furthermore, AFaktive will develop planning tools and support political decision-makers in improving the political framework conditions for the implementation of agroforestry systems. Based on pilot farms that already have initial experience with agroforestry, new, hydrologically optimised plantations are to be implemented as a first step.

Other practical farms, for which the topic is still new, are to be developed and supported as multipliers, in order to finally plan a second upscaling phase at regional level – from the municipal level to the water catchment area.

Agroforestry with nuts, chestnuts and value wood on grassland for water retention on the slope (photo: Till Wagener, diagram: Felix Gräven)

Project goals

Development and testing of new tools for the integrated planning of agroforestry as a nature-based solution in land management
Quantification of the effects of agroforestry systems on the water balance and in particular erosion and flood protection
Development and implementation of more good examples of improved water management through agroforestry

Partner consortium