Mendel University launches agroforestry research project

Mendel University in Brno is launching a three-year research project in January 2027 to study the effects of integrating trees and poultry grazing on soil, microclimates, and tree health. The study, titled “Influence of the integration of woody plants, pasture and their interactions on biophysical processes in agroforestry systems,” aims to determine how these combinations help soil manage drought and temperature fluctuations.

Researchers will monitor four distinct scenarios on a real farm: arable land, permanent grassland, orchards without grazing, and orchards with poultry grazing. Using automated sensors, the team will record soil moisture and temperature every 15 minutes, alongside measurements of soil infiltration, compaction, and biological properties.

The project seeks to identify specific conditions under which agroforestry provides benefits and where potential trade-offs, such as soil compaction, may occur. This data is intended to provide practical recommendations for Central European agricultural conditions, where long-term data is currently lacking.