Three central concepts of syntropic agriculture
Definition & clarification of terms
Overview of syntropic agriculture
The term syntropic agriculture is closely related to the practice and theory of Ernst Götsch and describes a complex form of agroforestry that works with a high degree of diversity, multi-layeredness, succession and dynamics.
The term syntropy refers to a process in which energy is stored and increasingly complex structures are developed. Syntropy stands in opposition to the physical concept of entropy..
Ernst Götsch understands plants as syntropic: “Their primary character lies in the ability to transform, organize and optimize elements like water, minerals, sunlight and solar energy into complex systems of life.”
Götsch et al., 1992
“Their primary character lies in the ability to transform, organize and optimize elements like water, minerals, sunlight and solar energy into complex systems of life.”
Principles of syntropic agriculture
Succession
The term succession refers to the natural sequence of successive species combinations at a site over the course of time. Succession describes how an ecosystem develops after a disturbance (fire, storm, etc.) or on a newly formed substrate. Beginning with short-lived pioneer plants (placenta), followed by species with an average lifespan (secondary) through to long-lived wood and plant species (climax).
In syntropic agriculture, a distinction is made between three successive systems: the colonization system, the accumulation system and the abundance system. Successional cycles take place within each system (placenta, secondary and climax) (see Fig. 1).
In syntropic agroforestry systems, all stages of succession are incorporated right from the beginning. This mimics the structure of a natural ecosystem (see Fig. 2). It is important to emphasize that succession is understood as dynamic and that nature never stagnates in any of the succession stages. Instead disturbance and dynamics are understood as integral parts of succession (see Fig. 4).
Stratification
The term stratification describes the multi-layered structure of a system. A distinction is made between four layers (strata): low, medium, high and emergent. The transitions can be fluid.
In stratification, it is not the growth height of the plants but their light or shade tolerance, that is decisive for their classification in the respective strata (see Fig. 2). By growing in several layers, the solar energy is captured in the best way possible and the biomass yield per area can be increased.
Dynamics through pruning and cutting
Pruning and cutting are used as central methods and maintenance procedures in syntropic agriculture and fulfill different purposes. Recurring pruning stimulates the growth of individual plants and the entire system and keeps the systems in a productive, i.e. vegetative, state. In addition, the entire nutrient cycle is stimulated and the proportion of organic and non-organic nutrients in the system is increased.
The strata, the life cycle of the respective plant and the succession must be taken into account. Targeted cutting and pruning (i.e. shortening, lifting and removing) clearly defines the strata and succession stages, thus avoiding competitive effects.
Maximizing photosynthesis
The performance of photosynthesis is maximized through multi-layered planting, pruning and cutting as well as through dense planting. Moreover, this increases the soil structure and allows for more water to be held in the system.
Energy concentraion
Energy is concentrated around the rows of trees in the form of biomass. To achieve this, the energy-storing concave shape is used. Among other things, this helps to store water, stimulate soil life, and in particular protect seedlings from the wind. Furthermore, the decomposition of plant biomass releases CO2, which is directly available to the growing plants and thus promotes their growth.
Ecophysiological function
In addition to ecophysiology, which examines how the environment affects the plant, syntropic agriculture is concerned with the ecophysiological function of a respective plant. This describes the effect of the plant on its environment (see Fig. 5).
Contributions to the topic
Articles and scientific publications
Natural succession of species in Agroforestry and in soil recovery (English)
This paper describes a method for the rapid recovery of degraded soils and for sustainable agroforestry in the humid tropics. The method, in essence, is an attempt at imitating the natural process of species succession. I have devised means of accelerating the process through strategic
interventions. The net result of these practices is that, in only five years of time, completely degraded soils now support highly productive and diverse agroforestry systems. Evidence is presented that, even in regenerated soils, the dynamics of natural species succession play an important role in ensuring the health and vigor of crops.
Ernst Götsch, August 1992
Trees shape the soil microbiome of a temperate agrosilvopastoral and syntropic agroforestry system (English)
Agroforestry systems are multifunctional land-use systems that promote soil life. Despite their large potential spatio-temporal complexity, the majority of studies that investigated soil organisms in temperate cropland agroforestry systems focused on rather non-complex systems. Here, we investigated the topsoil and subsoil microbiome of two complex and innovative alley cropping systems: an agrosilvopastoral system combining poplar trees, crops, and livestock and a syntropic agroforestry system combining 35 tree and shrub species with forage crops.
Toups, J. et al.
Syntropic farming systems for reconciling productivity, ecosystem functions, and restoration (English)
Inspired by the succession and vertical stratification found in nature, syntropic farming systems (SFS) incorporate annual and perennial plants in diversified farming systems. Numerous practice examples show the potential of SFS to enhance agroecosystems via optimized design and active management. Yet, scientific knowledge on SFS remains scarce, especially in the temperate zone. We compiled findings on the outcomes and enablers of SFS from 67 studies comprising diverse SFS designs-mainly from tropical countries-that have the potential to be implemented in temperate agricultural landscapes.
Jacobi, Johanna et al. / The Lancet Planetary Health,
Volume 9, Issue 4, e314 – e325
Development and testing of innovative forest conversion concepts for the development of resilient forest structures in southeastern Brandenburg, Alt Madlitz (German)
The following article explains the concept behind the innovative forest conversion of existing pine monoculture in Alt Madlitz in 2021/2022. This concept won the “Fertilise the Future” fund and was fully financed by Ecover.
publisher: Finck Stiftung gGmbH
author: Renke de Vries, Prof. Dr. Martin Guericke
agriculture of the future? (German)
agroecology is a social movement and a method. It follows fixed principles and yet always works differently. Is it the sustainable farming system of the future?
Ökologie & Landbau 03 – 2020 / Agrarökologie
Bandnummer: 195
Erscheinungstermin: 29.06.2020
Webinar77: Renke de Vries: Syntropic agroforestry systems in Alt Madlitz (German)
Renke de Vries studied “International Forest Ecosystem Management” at the HNE Eberswalde, Germany. Since 2019 he is responsible for the planning, establishment and maintenance of multifunctional (syntropic) agroforestry systems on 14 ha in (East-Brandenburg).
Videos and podcasts
Life in Syntropy (English)
“Life in Syntropy” is the new short film from Agenda Gotsch made specially to be presented at COP21 – Paris. This film put together some of the most remarkable experiences in Syntropic Agriculture, with brand new images and interviews.
Adapting syntropic agroforestry to temperate climates, with Renke De Vries (English)
Luckily I was able to find someone who has not only studied with Ernst closely in Brazil, but has also been pioneering syntropic systems in Germany […]. Renke de Vries studied International Forest Ecosystem Management, and works as an agroforestry designer and consultant and in arboreal maintenance. From 2019 till 2023 he has been responsible for the design, establishment and management of syntropic agroforestry systems especially at Gut and Boesel […].
Syntropic agriculture: lecture by Ernst Götsch (German)
Lecture on 28.3.2019 at INFORAMA Zollikofen
Ernst Götsch is Swiss and lives and works as a cocoa farmer in Brazil. For more than 50 years, he has been involved in the development and application of methods and strategies for future agriculture, which he calls “syntropic agriculture”.
Humus Soil Practice Podcast (German)
We talk to two true pioneers of agroforestry in Germany: Renke de Vries from the farm Gut und Bösel and Thomas Domin, deputy chairman of the German Professional Association for Agroforestry. Both have developed very interesting yet different systems and offer a wealth of practical tips and experience.
Agroforestry Wednesday lecture (German)
29.11.2023 – Renke de Vries – Syntropic agroforestry
Websites on the topic of Syntropic Agriculture
- What is Syntropic Farming?
There is no quick answer. We have to be honest and immediately warn that you won’t find a recipe ready to copy and paste here. Syntropic Agriculture (also described as successional agroforestry) is not a technology package that can be purchased, nor a definitive design plan that fits all tastes. It is first and foremost a change in perspective. It’s a new proposal for reading the ecosystem which enables the farmer to seek his/her answers using another reasoning, quite different from what we’re used to.
> Agenda Götsch