Integrating Agroforestry and Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) for Sustainable Land Use and Social Equity: A Mini Review

Abstract

Agroforestry and Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) offer complementary approaches for promoting sustainable land use and social equity. Agroforestry enhances soil fertility, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience, while CBFM provides participatory governance, tenure reform, and equitable resource access. This review synthesizes to examine their ecological, socioeconomic, and governance outcomes. The review highlights that agroforestry primarily supports ecological restoration and livelihood diversification, whereas CBFM strengthens community participation and social justice in forest stewardship. However, efforts to integrate these systems remain limited, with little evidence on how their joint application can simultaneously advance ecological restoration, livelihood security, and social justice. The review identifies research gaps, particularly in long-term soil health monitoring, the socioeconomic viability of agroforestry adoption, gender and social inclusion, and the role of integrated approaches in enhancing climate resilience. To address these gaps, the review recommends strengthening tenure security, aligning multi-level governance, expanding livelihood support, and fostering interdisciplinary research. Integrating agroforestry within CBFM frameworks presents a promising strategy to restore degraded lands, secure livelihoods, and advance sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient upland development.