What is agroforestry?

Agroforestry is correctly defined as the combination of trees and shrubs with agriculture. This practice involves integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems, which can provide multiple benefits such as enhanced biodiversity, improved soil health, and increased resilience to climate change. The trees and shrubs can serve various purposes, including providing shade for crops, serving as windbreaks, and improving water retention in the soil. This holistic approach promotes sustainable land management by optimizing the use of resources and improving ecosystem functions.

In contrast, the other options refer to different agricultural practices that do not encompass the principles of agroforestry. The first option about the use of only annual plants represents a type of farming focused solely on crops that complete their life cycle in one year, which lacks the perennity provided by trees. The integration of livestock into crop production is an important agricultural strategy but does not specifically address the role of trees and shrubs in the farming ecosystem. Lastly, mono-crop farming refers to the practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area, which can lead to soil depletion and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, directly opposing the diversity that agroforestry aims to achieve.