Expert-Based Assessment of the Potential of Agroforestry Systems in Plain Regions across Bihor County, Western Romania

Ruben Budău, Andrei Apăfăian, Mihail Caradaică, Iulian A. Bratu, Claudia S. C. Timofte and Cristian M. Enescu ()
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Ruben Budău: Department of Silviculture and Forestry Engineering, University of Oradea, 26 General Magheru Boulevard, 410048 Oradea, Romania
Andrei Apăfăian: Department of Ecology, “Marin Drăcea” National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry, 13 Cloșca Street, 50004 Brașov, Romania
Mihail Caradaică: Department of International Relations and European Integration, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, 30A Expoziției Boulevard, 1st District, 012104 Bucharest, Romania
Iulian A. Bratu: Department of Agricultural Sciences and Food Engineering, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 7-9 Dr. Ion Ratiu Street, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
Claudia S. C. Timofte: Department of Law and Administrative Sciences, University of Oradea, 26 General Magheru Boulevard, 410048 Oradea, Romania
Cristian M. Enescu: Department of Soil Sciences, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Mărăști Boulevard, 011464 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Agroforestry systems are gaining increasing attention worldwide due to their several benefits both for landowners and also for the environment. Even though Romania has a great potential for adopting these systems on a large scale, only a few examples exist. The aim of this research was to highlight the main agroforestry systems that could be introduced in plain regions across Bihor County, Western Romania. A selection of the most suitable woody species and cereals was carried, based on available data and information. In order to select the most suitable combination, a set of eight criteria was considered and an Analytical Hierarchy Process Analysis was performed, with the aid of the Expert Choice Desktop (v. 11.5.1683) software package. The combinations that had the black locust as the main tree species scored better in comparison with the ones that had pedunculate oak as a main species. This research should be regarded as a first and important step in the analysis of several combinations of agroforestry systems that could be implemented across plain regions of Bihor County. Lastly, this proposed model could be replicated in similar studies aimed at selecting the most suitable agroforestry systems for certain sites. Future research should also consider criteria that account for various aspects, including the functional relationships of these future green spaces with nearby areas.

Keywords: Analytical Hierarchy Process; black locust; green spaces; land management; maize; pedunculate oak; sunflower (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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