{"id":288972,"date":"2025-06-09T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=288972"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:43:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:43:51","slug":"working-with-nature-introducing-syntropic-agroforestry-to-st-eustatius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/working-with-nature-introducing-syntropic-agroforestry-to-st-eustatius\/","title":{"rendered":"Working with nature: introducing syntropic agroforestry to St. Eustatius\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The island of St. Eustatius has experienced severe vegetation loss over the past four decades. On the island, Klarvin Cijntje, of Cijntje\u2019s Organic Farm on Curacao, and his colleagues now work to introduce syntropic agroforestry. This form of agriculture works closely with nature to restore the land and improve biodiversity, while at the same time yielding a high variety of crops. \u2018You need to really understand how nature works, so you can emphasise cooperation with nature over control,\u2019 says Cijntje. <\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: Syntropic agroforestry (c) Florian Kopp \/ Mongabay<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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St. Eustatius is home to a wide range of landscapes, such as cloud forests and coral reefs, which support a wide array of both endemic and migratory species. However, the challenge of habitat loss and degradation, primarily attributed to human activities and invasive species, is a cause for concern. One of the most pressing issues for land degradation on Sint Eustatius is the loss of vegetation cover, largely due to overgrazing by feral livestock. During heavy rainfall this results in severe soil erosion and deep gullies transecting the landscape. Fertile topsoil is being lost and washed away into the Caribbean Sea. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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At the same time, St. Eustatius will increasingly suffer the compounding impacts of climate change. Alternative agricultural methods, such as agroforestry, help not only to restore biodiversity, but also increase climate- and food system resilience. By mimicking natural ecosystems, these practices foster enhanced biodiversity, soil health, and resilience against extreme weather events. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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What is syntropic agroforestry?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Syntropic agroforestry is a type of agriculture that is inspired by nature, and mimics natural forest ecosystems[1]<\/sup><\/a>https:\/\/dario-cortese.medium.com\/an-introduction-to-syntropic-agriculture-9a346050e6ed<\/span><\/a> for more information on syntropic farming.<\/span><\/span>