Читать книгу North American Agroforestry - Группа авторов - Страница 71

Ecosystem function is determined not just by species composition, but also by the spatial and temporal arrangement of the component species. Figure 3–2A identifies eight main types of North American temperate ecosystems based on the spatial and temporal relationships of their woody and herbaceous components. Figure 3–2B uses the same framework to identify structurally analogous agroforestry practices found in this region.

The main concern in agroforestry practices is performance or the relationship between structure and function. In each of the natural systems, there are certain processes that are most important in determining interactions among the woody and non‐woody components and in turn the overall function of the system (Table 3–2). These same processes influence interactions among the components of analogous agroforestry practices.