Afforestation of post-agricultural land is one of the most important challenges of modern forestry, posed by economic demand and climate protection. Unfortunately, stands introduced on such degraded soils are not sustainable and their productive value is limited. The present study tested the effects of two substances—Humac and Alginite—on the community structure of mesostigmatid mites colonizing plots overgrown by Platanus × acerifolia (Aiton) Willd, also comparing them with the mite communities of arable field and 64-year-old stands of Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus robur L. growing on post-agricultural land. A total of 306 mite individuals were recorded, belonging to 45 taxa and 14 families. The results indicate a moderately positive effect of Humac fertilization on the mite communities studied. A similar impact has not been demonstrated for Alginite. In contrast, all parameters studied (density, species richness and diversity of mite communities) reached the highest values in the P. sylvestris stand. Humac application harmonizes Mesostigmata mite community structures between young and older stands and may be considered a beneficial practice for the afforestation of former agricultural land.

Most of the Bauchi State's inhabitants face environmental and socio-economic challenges. Agroforestry trees can help these people by providing valuable environmental benefits such as windbreaks, soil improvement, shade, or additional income through fruits and medicine (services and products). The study aimed to identify the most important use of tree species by the farmers and their tree preferences, examine agroforestry practices on their farms, and spot the most preferred locations of trees on their farms. The fieldwork was conducted in both lowlands and highlands of Bauchi state. In total, 83 farmers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The results showed that farmers mostly use and prefer fruit trees (74 and 87%), followed by medicinal trees (66 and 18%) in lowlands and highlands, respectively. They also use trees for fencing and shading. Adansonia digitata was the most preferred species in the lowlands, while Parkia biglobosa was in the highlands. Scattered trees were the most used agroforestry practice (79 and 84%) in both the lowlands and the highlands. The bush field and the village field (47 and 37%) were the most preferred locations of trees on farms. In the future, we suggest that policymakers and extensionists should support research and improvement of varieties of the most preferred fruit/food tree species and develop and introduce improved disease-resistant and pest-tolerant native varieties.

Non-Native Tree Species (NNTs) play crucial roles in global and European forests. However, in the Czech Republic, NNTs represent a tiny fraction of the forested areas due to limited research on their potential use. The country is actively afforesting abandoned agricultural lands; NNTs which are already tested and certified could enhance the country’s forestry system. This study aimed to evaluate the initial growth of Castanea sativa, Platanus acerifolia, and Corylus colurna under three soil treatments on abandoned agricultural soil, evaluate the survival and mortality of the tree species, and further compare the soil dynamics among the three ecosystems to describe the initial state and short-term changes in the soil environment. The research plot was set in the Doubek area, 20 km East of Prague. Moreover, soil-improving materials, Humac (1.0 t·ha⁻¹) and Alginite (1.5 t·ha⁻¹), were established on the side of the control plot at the afforested part. The heights of plantations of tree species were measured from 2020 to 2024. Furthermore, 47 soil samples were collected at varying depths from three ecosystems (afforested soil, arable land, and old forest) in 2022. A single-factor ANOVA was run, followed by a post hoc test. The result shows that the Control-C plot (Castanea Sativa + Platanus acerifolia + Corylus colurna + agricultural soil without amendment) had the highest total growth (mean annual increment in the year 2024) for Castanea sativa (KS = 40.90 ± a21.61) and Corylus colurna (LS = 55.62 ± 59.68); Alginite-A (Castanea Sativa + Platanus acerifolia + Corylus colurna + Alginite) did best for Platanus acerifolia (PT = 39.85 ± 31.52); and Humac-B (Castanea Sativa + Platanus acerifolia + Corylus colurna + Humac) had the lowest growth. Soil dynamics among the three ecosystems showed that the old forest (plot two) significantly differs from arable soil (plot one), Humac and Platanus on afforested land (plot three), Platanus and Alginite on afforested land (plot four), and Platanus without amendment (plot five) in horizon three (the subsoil or horizon B) and in horizon four (the parent material horizon or horizon C). Results document the minor response of plantations to soil-improving matters at relatively rich sites, good growth of plantations, and initial changes in the soil characteristics in the control C plot. We recommend both sparing old forests and the afforestation of abandoned agricultural soils using a control treatment for improved tree growth and sustained soil quality. Further studies on the species’ invasiveness are needed to understand them better.

Tree species, used in agroforestry systems, have both the environmental and economic value. They can serve, among other uses, for feeding domestic animals, and they can be also the fodder for hoofed browsing game. Twig fodder represents the shoots of woody species including foliage. It represents a traditional source in many countries. In the presented study, the basic nutrition characteristics of twig-fodder of lime tree (Tilia cordata L.) and black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), sampled in two terms (10 May and 16 August 2023) are presented. The bulk samples from 5–10 individuals of each species were formed; the samples were analyzed in specialized laboratory. The nutritional characteristics were compared with maize silage as reference fodder. Results confirmed twig-fodder as a convenient and perspective source of animal alimentation when compared to conventional fodder. At the same time, a higher nutritional value of mulberry in comparison to lime (linden) tree and seasonal changes in nutritional quality were confirmed.