The contribution of agrosilvopastoral systems for bioeconomy in Italy

Antonello Franca,aaCNR ISPAAM, Trav La Crucca 3, Reg. Baldinca, 07100, Sassari, Italyemail of presenting author: antonio.franca@cnr.itAgroforestry is considered as one of the cornerstones of the European bioeconomy, and a major contributor to climate change mitigation. There are significant opportunities to benefit from agroforestry for European bioeconomy. Agroforestry is an important European land use equivalent to almost 9% of the agricultural area and it's dominated by silvopastoral systems, particularly wide-spread in the Mediterranean region, such as the montados and dehesas in Portugal and Spain, where livestock grazes between spaced oak trees, providing wood, cork and fodder for the animals. Currently in Italy, there is estimated to be 1,304,600 ha of land that integrates trees on livestock farms and the use of livestock in forests (e.g. forest grazing) and orchards. Most of these systems are located in inlands, mountain areas, at high risk of land abandonment. On the other hand, scientific literature and outcomes clearly evidence the relevance of ecosystems services provided by such systems in terms of commodities productions (raw materials, bio-energy, high quality animal products) and environmental benefits (biodiversity, carbon sequestration, fire prevention, etc.). Considering the case study of Sardinia (Italy), an overview on the main management and valorization practices of agro-silvo-pastoral system is presented, with final remarks on research and policy agenda, in order to promote initiative for better address the role of agroforestry in Italy in facing some of the socio-economic and environmental problems that rural inlands are suffering, in the framework of Italian agriculture greening and in realizing the goals of green economy.Acknowledgments: Research from the European Community's Seventh Framework Program under Grant Agreement No. 613520 (Project AGFORWARD).