The objective of the cooperative is to evaluate if agroforestry systems with broadleaves in wide spacings are a valid ecological and social alternative to the spatially segregated approaches of forestry and agriculture. These management systems should enable a goal oriented control of the landscape development to ensure a sustainable development in Germany.

The goal of the project is to develop agroforestry systems which:

• are economically reasonable for agricultural businesses
• can be adjusted flexibly to changing economic, social and political surrounding conditions
• are a valid landscape ecology and social option for developing rural areas
• Can enhance the ecological and aesthetic value of an intensively managed agricultural area.

Important formal goal hereby are:

• To develop fundamental information for political decisions concerning agricultural, forestry and nature conservation coping with the agriculture structural and demographic change.
• The participation of the major stakeholders from agriculture and forestry and nature conservation to ensure the acceptability of the results.

Existing conflicts of goals can be reduced with the developed land utilization systems due to the combining position between agriculture and forestry. The integrated production of veneer timber ought to enhance the economic area productivity.