1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Land Use Based Mitigation for Resilient Climate Pathways (LANDMARC)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

JIN Climate and Sustainability (JIN-NGO) - Netherlands

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

An agroforestry system consisting of rows of walnut and hazelnut trees combined with grassland and flowers was applied in place of a former conventional monoculture system in Alphen, Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This agroforestry technology is applied on an organic farm located in the province of Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. Owned by a local farmer, the farm covers a total of 7.8 hectares. In 2018, this land was allocated for the Farm Life project, transforming it into agroforestry system. The farm integrates natural and agricultural elements, creating a sustainable environment where trees (chestnuts), crops, and pasture co-exist.
The agroforestry system on this farm is utilized for multiple purposes, including chestnut tree cultivation, agriculture, horticulture, and pasture. This diverse planting strategy allows the farmer to mix crop production with tree cultivation, where each component supports soil health and ecological balance. Chestnut trees, for example, are grown alongside mainly grasses, introducing perennial elements to the farm and diversifying the landscape.
Agroforestry merges natural ecosystems with agriculture, creating a system where nature actively enhances farm productivity. It allows farmers to move beyond monoculture farming by incorporating trees and shrubs into crop systems, promoting biodiversity as an essential part of farming. For example, integrating chestnut trees into these systems improves soil health, reduces erosion (as these are mainly sandy soils), and strengthens the farm’s resilience to environmental stress. This approach also creates income from products like chestnuts, which supports sustainable food production—a primary motivation for the farmer.
This agroforestry system, while beneficial, faces challenges in implementation and scaling-up. For example, perennial food crops are not yet commonly integrated into modern agroforestry systems, which limits their full potential. Establishing a guide on cultivation practices and securing better funding would be key steps to upscaling agroforestry production and making it more accessible. Additionally, adequate resources and guidance on plant selection, tree management, and harvesting methods would make it easier for farmers to adopt and sustain these practices.
Specifically to this agroforestry, compared to traditional fruit trees like apples and pears, chestnut trees require less intensive management—reducing labor as they naturally drop fruit and need less pruning. They also enhance biodiversity and can be financially beneficial. As a perennial carbohydrate source, chestnuts offer a sustainable, low-maintenance crop option that aligns with modern food production goals. Additionally, they can help revitalize traditional orchard landscapes and accelerate returns from forest areas through nut production, contributing to long-term ecological and economic benefits.
While agroforestry offers many environmental benefits, land users face several challenges. Initial investments in tree planting, maintenance, and management can be costly, and limited access to financial support often discourages smallholder farmers from adopting these practices. Some farmers also find the high diversity of species in agroforestry systems to be complex and challenging for achieving consistent product yields. There are also limitations in technology suited for small-scale agroforestry, such as a shortage of plant materials (e.g., seedlings) and limited guidance on establishing and maintaining agroforestry systems. On the positive side, farmers appreciate agroforestry’s contributions to a sustainable environment. The increased organic matter and diversity, improve soil health and crop productivity, and build resilience against environmental stressors, which makes agroforestry an option for long-term land management.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The implementation of agroforestry in this case study intends to increase soil properties by restoring soil biological cycles, providing habitat for predators that can reduce pests, and reduce nitrate leaching to improve nutrient retention and avoid the leaching of nitrates.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

eur

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.9

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

Activities and costs not available: our contract was not involved in the financial or other aspects of the implementation

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Costs not available; our contract was not involved in the financial aspect of the implementation and, while can provide an overview of the benefits and drawbacks compared to the previous system, cannot provide any figures

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

Activities and costs not available: our contract was not involved in the financial or other aspects of the implementation

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

Costs not available; our contract was not involved in the financial aspect of the implementation and, while can provide an overview of the benefits and drawbacks compared to the previous system, cannot provide any figures

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Thick eared soil with an ash cover consisting of sand, a high elevation with respect to groundwater (Gt IV and above) and a black mineral eared layer. The topsoil consists of loamy fine sand.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Biodiversity in the area is generally low. However, there has been an improvement in bird and fungal biodiversity after the implementation of the technique.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• company
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	very well
seasonal temperature	winter	increase	very well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
diversify income through bio-economy products
adaptation to new environmental regulations
landscape and community opportunities

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
increased ecosystem carbon, carbon sequestration
re-establishment of biological cycles, decreased pests and increased system resilience
erosion reduction and need for less soil input, decreased nutrient runoff and increased underground water quality

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
implementation costs	carbon sequestration can be capitalized by carbon markets
increased maintenance workload	up-scaling would increase availability and affordability of mechanization options
land value decreased, as trees would need to be replanted somewhere else in case the land user would like to remove them	policy changes

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
benefits are not seen in the short term	financial mechanisms to bridge the gap between initial investment and long-term revenues, i.e. carbon markets
landscape changes from traditional land use might face resistance by some local inhabitants	behavioral change, community involvement

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

LANDMARC Netherlands case study leaflets

Available from where? Costs?

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f7b27859c352b2444f4cbd9/t/6050de69f1fa6f34c837dfc8/1615912556101/Brochure+NL+Agroforestry_public+def.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

LANDMARC Dutch Case Study

URL:

https://www.landmarc2020.eu/netherlands-peat-soils-agroforestry