A systematic review of agroforestry practices for achieving the clean water sustainable development goal

Agroforestry comprises a diverse set of land management practices that deliberately integrate trees with crops and/or livestock and can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for all. When appropriately designed and managed, these systems can function as buffers against runoff and soil erosion, thereby helping to protect water bodies from pollution and sedimentation. Through diverse agroforestry practices and vegetation structures, they can reduce chemical discharge and nutrient leaching, contributing to improved water quality and availability. Synergistic interactions between appropriately selected tree and crop species can improve water-use efficiency, reduce irrigation requirements and support groundwater recharge under suitable environmental conditions. However, dense tree cover, poorly matched species or inadequate management can increase competition for water, reduce crop or pasture yields and where livestock are integrated, create water-contamination risks. Appropriately designed agroforestry systems have the potential to enhance food security, carbon sequestration, agricultural resilience and water management. Legislative backing, capacity training and financial incentives are required to overcome barriers to widespread adoption caused by policy constraints, technical skill gaps and land tenure concerns. This systematic review, reported following PRISMA 2020 guidance, synthesizes 110 records identified through Scopus and Web of Science to evaluate agroforestry as a water-management strategy, its contributions to SDG 6, the conditions under which it may produce trade-offs or fail and strategies for overcoming adoption barriers. Policymakers, practitioners and researchers can use this review to strengthen the contribution of agroforestry to SDG 6.