Protecting Native Forests and Restoring Agricultural Lands for a Sustainable Future
A groundbreaking study published in npj Ocean Sustainability highlights the significant benefits of integrating agroforestry with native forest conservation to support local fisheries, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Kamehameha Schools, and Seascape Solutions, the research emphasizes the impact of transitioning fallow and unmanaged agricultural lands into Indigenous-led agroforestry systems.
Enhancing Local Fisheries Through Sustainable Land Management
Implementing agroforestry and forest restoration strategies not only strengthens food production but also conserves biodiversity and fosters cultural connections across land and sea. These efforts align with traditional Hawaiian land stewardship principles, known as mauka to makai (from mountains to the sea), which have sustained Pacific Island communities for generations.
However, disruptions caused by colonization, land privatization, and industrial agriculture have led to the degradation of these systems. Today, nearly 40% of Hawai’i’s agricultural lands remain fallow and unmanaged, posing risks such as soil erosion, invasive species, and increased wildfire threats.
The Measurable Impact of Agroforestry on Fisheries and Food Security
According to the study, protecting 100,000 acres of native forests and converting 400,000 acres of fallow agricultural land into agroforestry could:
- Increase sediment retention by 30%, reducing coastal erosion.
- Enhance nearshore fisheries, yielding an estimated 100,000 additional meals per year in select regions.
- Benefit communities in West Kaua’i, the south shore of Moloka’i, West Maui, and East Hawai’i Island, where fishing plays a crucial role in livelihoods, sustenance, and social structures.
Revitalizing Fallow Lands with Indigenous Agroforestry
While forest conservation and marine management receive considerable attention, mid-elevation lands (wao kānaka), historically used for agriculture, remain underutilized in conservation strategies. Across Hawai’i, Native Hawaiian (ʻŌiwi) and local farmers are leading the revival of these lands through biocultural agroforestry, integrating native trees and crops to restore agricultural productivity, support biodiversity, and uphold cultural traditions.
“Our findings highlight the importance of forest stewardship from ridge to reef, including biocultural restoration of agroforestry systems in low to mid-elevation fallow agricultural lands. This can enhance biodiversity, produce diverse and nutritious food from both land and sea, strengthen cultural ties, and create green jobs,” said Jade Delevaux, lead author and senior fellow at Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project.
Linking Land Stewardship to Sustainable Seafood Production
Nearshore fisheries are critical for food security worldwide, yet their value is often underestimated due to inadequate assessment methods. This study introduces a new approach to mapping seafood production changes resulting from improved land stewardship, utilizing fishing pressure data, fish population surveys, and habitat structure maps.
“Our method provides a straightforward way to link land stewardship with seafood availability, even in data-limited regions,” said co-author Kostantinos Stamoulis, director of Seascape Solutions. “Agroforestry transitions can sustainably increase food production on both land and sea.”
A Call to Action: Policy and Investment in Biocultural Conservation
The study urges policymakers, conservation organizations, and funding agencies to integrate biocultural strategies into environmental policies and financial mechanisms. By investing in community-driven conservation initiatives and cross-sector collaborations, significant strides can be made in biodiversity conservation, food security, and human well-being.
Conclusion
Restoring forests and reviving traditional agroforestry practices present a powerful, scalable solution to enhance fisheries, protect ecosystems, and preserve cultural heritage. By bridging modern conservation science with Indigenous knowledge, Hawai’i and other coastal regions can build a more sustainable and resilient future.
More Information: Jade M. S. Delevaux et al., Scaling Biocultural Initiatives to Support Nature, Food, and Culture from Summit to Sea, npj Ocean Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44183-024-00090-6