Delving into Piper chaba- based agroforestry system in northern Bangladesh: ecosystem services, environmental benefits, and potential conservation initiatives

Abstract

As an eco-friendly land management strategy, agroforestry can combine farming, forestry, and livestock to provide an assortment of ecosystem services (ES). Piper Chaba- based agroforestry system (PCAFS), a prevalent agroforestry system in northern Bangladesh, shows promise for environmental protection and diverse ES, yet lacks sufficient literature-based support. Addressing this discrepancy, the study surveyed 105 Piper chaba farmers from the Chinai union of Rajarhat upazila in the Kurigram district of Bangladesh to assess the PCAFS's present potentials in providing ecosystem services and environmental benefits as well as the potential conservation initiatives that could be adopted to sustain this agroforestry system. Data were collected using mixed-method techniques including direct observation, surveying through semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions before data triangulation. The study identified twenty common PCAFS combinations, having betel nut-Piper chaba-banana (67.62%), betel nut-Piper chaba-papaya (49.52%), and mango-Piper chaba-paddy (48.57%) as the most prominent. As indicated by the Ecosystem Improvement Index (EII) derived from farmer perceptions, PCAFS significantly enhanced various types of ecosystem services (ES). PCAFS played a vital role in provisioning services by supplying diversified products. It significantly improved air and water quality as well as reduced soil erosion, ranking second and third among the ecosystem services. EII identified the most significant overall improvement as the enhancement of soil fertility, a crucial supporting service delivered by PCAFS. The study revealed that, according to the opinion of the respondents, PCAFS positively influenced various aspects critical to environmental functioning through its contribution to ecosystem services. This agroforestry system excelled in key areas like cost-efficiency, product diversity, and livelihood enhancement. However, it faced significant challenges, notably disease outbreaks and a fragile market system. To address these weaknesses, eight inclusive strategies were pinpointed, with the most critical involving the establishment of a robust market system and the formation of farmers' collectives. The study recommends enhancing PCAFS utilization by investing in more research, development, and oversight to maximize its ecosystem benefits.

Keywords

• Agroforestry
• Piper chaba
• Ecosystem services
• Provisioning services
• Supporting services
• Regulating services