How is agroforestry practiced in olive groves in Tunisia? Exploring crop associations and farmer's perceptions ; Quelle agroforesterie dans les oliveraies de Tunisie ? Analyse des associations de cultures pratiquées et des perceptions des agriculteurs

International audience ; Crop associations within olive groves – the olive tree being emblematic of the region – is an ancient Mediterranean practice that provides multiple ecosystem services. In Tunisia, one of the most important olive oil producing countries, olive agroforestry systems are poorly documented. This study investigates the current agroforestry systems in northern and central Tunisia and analyzes the reasons behind their adoption by farmers. To this end, a cartographic analysis was first conducted to understand the diversity of olive growing environments on a national scale. Twenty-one different olive growing systems were identified. On this basis, an agronomic diagnosis on two sites representative of this diversity was undertaken to characterize the structure of the agroforestry systems at the plot level. Five types of associations were identified, differing by the associated element: market gardening, mixed crops, fruit trees, livestock grazing and field crops. In order to understand farmers’ layout choices and their perceptions of these systems, a series of surveys were conducted. The implementation of these practices and farmers’ cultivation habits are often dictated by economic and land constraints. Conversely, the agronomic and environmental interests of these systems did not appear to be determining factors in their implementation. ; L’association de cultures avec les oliviers – arbre emblématique de la région – est une pratique ancienne en Méditerranée. Cette agroforesterie est reconnue pour fournir de multiples services écosystémiques. En Tunisie, l’un des plus importants pays producteurs d’huile d’olive, les systèmes agroforestiers à base d’oliviers sont peu documentés. Ce travail vise à caractériser les principaux systèmes oléicoles agroforestiers existants au nord et au centre du pays, et à comprendre les raisons qui sous-tendent leur adoption. Pour ce faire, une analyse cartographique a d’abord été réalisée pour appréhender la diversité des milieux oléicoles à l’échelle nationale. ...