Climate change presents a vital threat to global agriculture, rural livelihoods, and ecosystem health. Increased temperatures and extreme weather events have changed rainfall patterns, negatively affecting agricultural productivity and increasing vulnerability, particularly for smallholder farmers and forest-based communities. In this context, agroforestry is an agroecological system that can provide low-cost and sustainable options to enhance resilience, food and income security, and address climate mitigation by sequestering and storing carbon.

Agroecology fosters ecological sustainability through biodiversity conservation and management, nutrient recycling, and water conservation in agriculture. Further, agroforestry, through the integration of trees in farm landscapes, improves microclimatic conditions, adds ecosystem complexity, stabilizes soils, and facilitates long-term carbon sequestration. Thus, an agroecological approach to agroforestry management can enhance the adaptive capacity of farmers and play an important role in climate mitigation.

This research topic is designed to share research and policy-relevant insights that demonstrate how agroforestry can build climate-resilient land use systems.

The core objective of this research theme is to develop scientific and practical understanding of how the integration of agroecology and agroforestry can effectively respond to the dual challenges of livelihood insecurity and climate change; for instance, by providing significant contributions to the storage and sequestration of carbon. We will integrate sound evidence-based practices, valuable indigenous knowledge, and critical policy support mechanisms that together provide significant ecological and socioeconomic co-benefits of these integrated land-use systems.

By highlighting success stories, innovative technologies, and cross-sectoral partnerships, this special issue will shape climate-smart agriculture policy, ecosystem-based adaptation, and sustainable development models at local and global levels. Ultimately, our goal is to empower resilient farming landscapes that enhance livelihoods, restore degraded ecosystems, and enable the achievement of national and global climate targets.

The Research Topic invites original research papers, systematic reviews, reflexive case studies, and policy analyses on the complementary integration of agroforestry and agroecology for the pursuit of climate resilience, improving livelihoods, and improving carbon sequestration. We especially invite studies from various geographical locations, such as tropical, subtropical, temperate, and arid locations, particularly those employing participatory, transdisciplinary, or landscape approaches.

We are particularly interested in papers that quantify carbon storage, critically assess socioeconomic impacts, or investigate the essential trade-offs and synergies between productivity and sustainability. Papers addressing important issues like gender, equity, and policy environments that facilitate such practices are also strongly encouraged. All manuscripts will strictly follow the guidelines of the journal and will be subject to rigorous peer review. The authors are urged to explicitly state the wider implications of their work for sustainable agricultural change and effective climate action.

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Agroforestry for Climate-Smart Livelihoods and Ecosystem Restoration