66 The Syntropic approach Syntropic Agriculture is a specific type of agroforestry system that relies on a meticulously organized, multi-layered biodiversity. It incorporates a sequence of plant groups that prevail at various stages of system development. Think of it as a 4D puzzle: plants are distributed across the three spatial dimensions (planting density and stratification) and the fourth dimension of time (succession). Precise coordination of these parameters ensures the right match of eco-physiological needs of each species, considering their unique and complementary life cycles, light demands, shade tolerance, and the stage of their environment, which is framed by edaphoclimatic constraints. For farmers, proficiency in these tools translates to autonomy in decision-making, enabling them to adapt to their local reality, independent of prescribed technological packages or predefined designs. Although numerous practical examples demonstrate the application of these principles in various contexts, the suitability of this approach for the Mediterranean might initially seem unusual or even suspicious. But history, once again, offers clues about how this ecosystem, home to so many civilizations, was once familiarly described by keen observers. «In the shade of the proud palm sprouts the olive tree, and under the olive tree the fig tree, under the fig tree the pomegranate tree, and under it the vineyard, under the vineyard the wheat, then the legumes, finally the leaves: all in the same year and all of these plants are fed in the shade of each other» This quote, found in Pliny the Elder's work Naturalis Historia (77-78 A.D.), describes the dynamics of agricultural systems practiced in the Mediterranean basin before the popularization of the iron, and, consequently, the plow. Such systems respected the behavior and dynamics of semi-deciduous forests, allowing vegetable and grain cultivation beneath the trees during winter. With colder temperatures, some vegetation enters dormancy and sheds its leaves. Evergreen trees like olives and many oak varieties were pruned after harvest, permitting more sunlight to reach the understory and depositing a significant amount of biomass as leaves and twigs on the soil. Spring saw short-cycle crops flourish under the filtered light of developing canopies of vines, figs, poplars, and ash trees. After their harvest, at the peak of the dry summer, fruits came into production. This relatively stable annual cycle maintained a balance, respecting the ecosystem's functioning. When invited to work in southern Italy, we recognized an opportunity to implement, and test once more, the Syntropic approach's ability to restore ecosystems to their full potential, while ensuring agricultural production and addressing local challenges. This is precisely our aim, with the four distinct Syntropic designs we established at Amadeco Farm. We are still in the early stages, but some results indicate we're on a promising path.
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