Tree Hay as Source of Economic Resilience in Traditional Social-ecological Systems from Transylvania

Abstract

Tree farming substantially contributes to the resilience of the farming system. In this paper we bring historical and current arguments about nutritional value of trees and how this contributed to the capacity of the farming societies to navigate environmental challenges. On this basis we highlight the need of reviving the nutritional value of trees and the tree hay related knowledge and practices. Since scattered trees on pastures can simultaneously fulfil several important roles (biodiversity, nutrition source, aesthetic and cultural values) urgent actions are needed both at the level of policies, knowledge and local scales in order to re-connect human societies with trees, for the benefit of the whole social-ecological system.

Keywords

• trees
• resilience
• traditional landscapes
• coupled social-ecological systems
• conservation policy