The ideal stratification of a Syntropic agroforest
The ideal forest structure for a Syntropic Agroforestry system is composed of an open canopy and dense understory planting. This results in a number of benefits for the eco-system, those that live within it, and the climatic effects that the site produces. Further it results in straight stemmed, high quality timber trees (emergent and canopy stratus), and easily accessible fruit trees (mostly between canopy and low stratus). In the table below one can study the principal Strat that make up a forest eco-system, what their characteristics are, in which proportion they ideally occupy space in a Syntropic agroforest, and what examples of these species are. ​
Emergent stratus
The emergent stratus is composed of trees that grow above the forest canopy. They break wind, filter the most direct sunlight and grow in a way that allows the other plants to grow below. In the ideal Agroforestry system they are spaced far apart and cover a total of 15-25% of the total area. This creates an open but protected structure for other plants to grow below.
Canopy stratus
The canopy stratus is composed of the trees that create the forest canopy. They continue to break wind, and filter sunlight. In the ideal Agroforestry system they are spaced moderately far apart and cover a total of 30-40% of the total area. This again creates an open but protected structure for the medium and low stratus plants to grow below.
Medium Stratus
The medium stratus is composed of the trees that thrive in the protected environment of the canopy and emergent trees. They do not do well in full sunlight, when exposed to wind, and are often more sensitive to frost. In the ideal Agroforestry system they are spaced moderately close together and cover a total of 40-60% of the total area. This creates a structure with a concentration of photosynthesis in the low layers of the forest.
Low Stratus
The Low stratus is composed of the trees that require the most protected environment to thrive . They do not do well in full sunlight, when exposed to wind, and are often more sensitive to frost. In the ideal Agroforestry system they are spaced close together in order to cover a total of 60-80% of the total area. This creates a structure with an accentuated concentration of photosynthesis in the low layers of the forest.
Examples of species belonging to:
Emergent stratus
Trees: Eucalyptus, Cork oak, Portuguese oak, Cypress tree, Poplar
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Vegetables: Corn, Okra, Fennel, Fava bean
Examples of species belonging to:
Canopy stratus
Trees: Holm oak, Fig, Loquat, Olive, Carrob, Silky oak
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Vegetables: Brocoli, cabbage, Tomato, Pumpkin, artichoke
Examples of species belonging to:
Medium Stratus
Trees: Strawberry tree, Pistachio, Apricot, Plum, Citrus, Peach, Yew, Holly
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Vegetables: Beetroot, Bush bean, Chilly pepper, Swiss chard, lettuce
Examples of species belonging to:
Low Stratus
Trees: Wild pistachio, Myrtle, Laurustinus
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Vegetables: Rucola, Radish, Coriander
The drawing below shows an example of how a forest would look like if proportioned as described above.
By having a strong concentration of Photosynthesis in the lower layers of the forest a significant difference in temperature is achieved. The lower temperature at the forest floor, compared to the air temperature above the forest canopy, creates a thermodynamic effect that is drawing in air and cooling it off. The cooled down air increases in relative humidiy, as a result of temperature drop, and the excess water that is not able to stay in the air is readily absorbed by the photosynthesizing plants via leaf surface. This cooling down effect results in a number of positive effects for our plantation, for us, and the planet.
It is the process that Ernst Götsch refers to when saying:
'Water is to be planted'
