Agroforestry ecosystems in the municipality of Karistos in S. Evia: Survey and Acceptance

Agroforestry is a sustainable land use system that increases total production, combines agricultural crops and forest plants and/or animals, simultaneously or sequentially, and applies management practices compatible to the cultural patterns of the local population. The recording of such systems is vital for their study, conservation, and further diffusion. This paper presents the results of a research on the agroforestry Ecosystems of the Karystos municipality in S. Evia, Greece. The results have shown that 24 % of the total agricultural area is composed of agroforestry systems. The land owners preserve them as a traditional land use and are satisfied by that use. The products, which can be classified as organic, mostly meet the owners’ family needs. Olive trees and sheep are present in most of the agroforestry systems. The results are encouraging for the future of these systems as, with the appropriate information and incentives, could further increase their acceptance by local farmers.