cultivar_22_Final_EN

1. Introduction In recent decades, agroforestry systems have grown in importance in terms of the occupation of land in mainland Portugal. These systems include areas covered by different forestry species associated with plant and/or animal production. The economic viability of these systems is highly dependent on the current subsidies in Pillars 1 and 2 of the Common Agricultural Pol- icy (CAP) whose continuation will be essential to achieve the various key environmen- tal, climatic and territorial objectives (KOs) contained in its proposed post-2020 reforms: – KO4 – Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as sustainable energy; 63 Agroforestry systems in mainland Portugal* Francisco Avillez, Miguel Vieira Lopes and Gonçalo Vale AGRO.GES – KO5 – Foster sustainable development and effi- cient management of natural resources such as water, soil and air; – KO6 – Contribute to the protection of biodiver- sity, enhance ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes; – KO8 – Promote employment, growth, social inclusion and local development in rural areas including bio economy and sustainable forestry. Given this context, the aim of this article is to answer the following questions: •  What is meant by agrofor- estry systems and how can they be classified? •  Where are they located in Portugal and what are their main characteristics? • What role can they play from a productive, envi- ronmental and social point of view? • What impacts might CAP reform have on the future of these systems in mainland Portugal? * Editor’s note: Originally published in CULTIVAR issue 21 – Agroforestry systems. December 2020, p. 27, as “Sistemas agroflorestais em Portu- gal Continental”. https://www.gpp.pt/images/GPP/O_que_disponibilizamos/Publicacoes/CULTIVAR_21/#28 The economic viability of these systems is highly dependent on the current subsidies… whose continuation will be essential to achieve the various key environmental, climatic and territorial objectives …