The ongoing degradation of fragile ecosystems increasingly diminishes the availability of natural resources. Consequently, the conservation and utilization of ecosystem assets have emerged as a focal point of global research. This study focuses on integrating agroforestry ecosystem assets (AEA) with their capacity to provide ecosystem services, aiming to explore their interconnections and enhance their optimization. We employed a comprehensive literature review method, utilizing the Scopus database to select, analyze, and include 61 pertinent studies on AEA globally. The systematic literature review results show the following: (1) The overall number of published papers is showing an upward trend, indicating that research in this field is gradually expanding. The geographical focus of the literature is primarily in Europe and Asia, with academic institutions being the main contributors to this research. (2) Landmark research findings are mainly concentrated in the areas of identification, quantitative assessment, and decision management. Among these, quantitative assessment is the main focus, while the research on identification, decision management, and influencing factors is relatively limited and explores the relevant key scientific questions. (3) The above information highlights the key areas for improvement in the karst desertification control agroforestry ecosystem, focusing on two aspects: fragile habitats and human–land relationships. Furthermore, this review furnishes essential recommendations for agroforestry practitioners and policymakers across various regions, emphasizing the critical need to thoroughly evaluate and leverage the connections between the quantity and quality of ecosystem assets. Such an approach is pivotal for facilitating the strategic restructuring and optimization of agroforestry ecosystems. This, in turn, aims to elevate the sustainability of AEA utilization and enhance their ability to provide ecosystem services (ES).

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are priority semi-natural ecosystems in fragile ecological zones. The complexity and diversity of their species structure play a crucial role in maintaining AFS stability. To explore the optimization of improvement strategies in AFS’ structure and stability for control of karst desertification (KD), in this study, we chose typical desertification control areas in the southern China karst region. The study included homegarden (HG), agrisilviculture (ASV), and multipurpose woodlots (MWLs) as three AFS. We quantified the AFS’ structural characteristics using descriptive statistics and spatial structure parameters. We used the fuzzy integrated evaluation method with structural and functional indicators as guidelines, and stand structure, plant species diversity, soil fertility, and environmental factors as first-level evaluation indicators. The entropy weight method calculates the weights of indicators at all levels. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method establishes an evaluation index system to evaluate the grading of AFS’ stability. The results showed that: (i) The species composition of the AFS in the KD control areas had a simple structure, the overall diversity level was low, and the diversity level of herbaceous plants was better than that of woody plants. (ii) The overall distribution curves of diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (TH), and crown width (CW) of woody plants in the AFS in the KD control areas were slight to the left, with a single-peaked pattern, mostly randomly and unevenly distributed in space, with a low degree of tree species isolation and relatively weak stand stability. (iii) There was variability in the stability classes of different types of AFS, overall reflecting the ranking HG > ASV > MWLs. (iv) When structural optimization was applied, corresponding measures can be taken according to farmers’ wishes for different types of AFS and their primary business purposes. The improvement of stability depends mainly on the utility of the structural optimization applied coupled with positive human interference (for example, pruning, dwarfing, and dense planting). This study provides a scientific reference for maintaining the stability of AFS and promoting service provision.