Evaluating Productivity of Southern Agroforestry for Fiber, Biofuels, and Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife habitat values associated with agroforestry systems in Mississippi are not fully understood. Landscape matrix changes resulting in close location of various agricultural and tree crops can provide habitat more suitable for use by game wildlife. This study examined the feasibility of improving habitat value by adopting agroforestry alley cropping practices. A completely randomized block design was utilized to ascertain production values for two different even-aged crop trees, shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), and four different agricultural crops, corn (Zea mays L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), and soybeans (Glycine max L.). Breeding bird surveys and camera surveys were used to quantify wildlife use and determine habitat improvement produced by this agroforestry management. If agroforestry land management improves wildlife habitat quality so hunters are willing to pay higher premiums, landowners can generate additional economic return from hunting leases