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We are available to give a custom webinars/walk through of how to best utilize the tool. Click here for more information. A recording of a previous webinar is available to view on YouTube.
To use AgroforestryX, visit www.agroforestryx.com
Note: Google Chrome and YouTube can translate AgroforestryX and the webinar,
respectively, into more than 50 languages.
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AgroforestryX FAQ:
Sign Up
How do I create an account?
Go to: https://www.agroforestryx.com/signup Fill in the required fields and accept the terms to create your account.
What happens with my account information?
Your account information is stored by our system. It is kept private and not shared with any third parties.
Log in
How do I log in to my new account?
Go to: https://www.agroforestryx.com/login Type your username and password where promoted and click the “Submit” button.
Can I share an account with someone else?
Yes
Can I log in to my account from multiple computers/browser windows?
Yes
What is the best browser to view the tool with?
We have tested the tool with Chrome and Opera and both work fine.
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Create New Project
How do I create a new project?
Upon successful log in you will be directed to your projects page. Click on the “New project” button to create a new project.
How many projects can I create?
There is currently no limit.
Edit An Existing Project
How do I edit an existing project?
In the project page click on the name of a project or select the edit button to edit the existing project. A project may be deleted by selecting the “delete” button.
Project details
What geographic region is this tool used for?
This tool was developed for all U.S. affiliated Pacific islands.
Can it be used for other regions?
Many of the species in the dataset are common to agroforestry throughout the tropics.
Is there a min/max for rainfall and elevation covered by this tool?
The dataset covers from 30” to 160+” rainfall annually and generally covers from sea level to 5000+’ depending on location.
Is there a min/max for project size covered by this tool?
The minimum project size is 0.25 acre. There is no maximum.
Can I use this tool to design agroforestry systems that meet the NRCS requirements for their cost share programs?
Yes, as long as it is approved by the USDA personnel you are working with. By selecting the “Assist with NRCS standard compliance (checks for minimum species diversity)” the tool will assist you throughout the rest of the process to meet some of the standards. For further information, please see: USDA NRCS. Forestry/Agroforestry Technical Note No. 11: Mixed Agroforest Specification; USDA NRCS Pacific Islands Area: Honolulu, HI, USA, 2017. For additional information on this standard, visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/pia/technical/?cid=nrcs142p2_037391 or see https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd360638&ext=pdf or request more information from your local USDA NRCS office.
Can I use this tool to design agroforestry systems that meet the regenerative standards outlined in the Regenerative Agroforestry standards publication by Elevitch et al. 2018?
Yes, by selelcting the “Assist with regenerative standard compliance (checks for minimum species diversity)” the tool will guide you throughout the rest of the process to meet these standards. For further information on the regenerative standard, please see Elevitch, Craig, D. Mazaroli, and Diane Ragone. 2018. “Agroforestry Standards for Regenerative Agriculture.” Sustainability 10 (9): 3337. doi:10.3390/su10093337.
Pattern Selection
I’m trying to go to the pattern page but it won’t open. What do I do?
You must fill in all required fields and press the “Proceed” button in order to go to the next step in the design process.
I don’t see a pattern I like, are there more to choose from?
This free version is limited in the number of patterns available. Contact the tool creators for more options.
Can I make my own pattern?
This free version is limited in the numbers of patterns available. Contact the tool creators for more options.
Can I change the path width to another length?
The tool currently offers 15’ and 20’ path widths. Contact the tool creators for more options.
Which pattern can I use to meet NRCS standards?
Any pattern can work to meet these standards.
Which pattern can I use to meet regenerative standards?
If you select this option, then you will only be presented with pattern choices that meet the regenerative standards.
I’m trying to select the species selection page but it won’t open. What do I do?
After selecting your path width and pattern press the “Proceed” button to go to the next step.
Species Selection
How many species can I select?
Maximum diversity for any given term/stratum is based on the number of available slots for the selected pattern for a given project. The number may vary depending on which standard was selected on the project details page.
How many do I have to select?
A minimum of one species must be selected for each term/stratum required by the selected pattern for a given project. The number may vary depending on which standard was selected on the project details page.
I’m looking for a certain species. Is there a quick way for me to find it?
Located above the “Long-term species” table is a drop down menu labeled with the number of species already selected.
Where are the short-term crops and when will I be able to choose some?
A list of short-term crops will be found at the bottom of the summary page.
I’ve selected my species, why won’t the pruning page open?
When the correct amount of species have been selected for your project click the “Proceed” button to go to the next step.
Pruning
Do I have to alter the pruning variables?
Pruning variables have been pre-set for each species. It is not required to alter them. However, depending on the combinations of species selected for each term/stratum it may be necessary to adjust pruning variables to resolve potential conflicts.
I want to have less of a certain species but when I try the number of individuals box turns red, what do I do?
If there is only one species for a category selected, the number of individuals for that species will be dictated by the number of slots available based on the selected pattern. All slots of any pattern must be filled. Selecting greater diversity will resolve the issue by allowing a more flexible design.
Can I force something into another stratum through pruning?
No. Doing so will cause conflicts in time and space. The tool has been specially designed to avoid such scenarios.
I don’t see a species I want.
Each term/stratum have optional species labeled “your choice of species”. These may be selected anytime a particular species is desired but not present in the dataset.
Can I add more species?
Contact the tool creators for more options.
I want to visualize my project but the page won’t open. What do I do?
Once all pruning variables have been confirmed and there are no errors go to the next step by clicking the “Proceed” button.
Visualization
How do I know which species are represented in the planting views?
By scrolling over the circles in the views, the name of each species assigned to that position will pop up above it.
What is % cover?
% Cover is the amount of project area covered by the collective canopies of all species in their respective term/stratum and selected pattern. Ideally 100% of the project area is covered 100% of the time.
Where are the short-term plants?
Due to the complex nature of placing so many tiny individuals on a planting view the tool gives a table of short-term species with planting details like seed rates, spacing and time to harvest.
Can I change the placement of individual species in the project?
Not directly. Species are placed on a view pattern randomly. Each time the visualization page is refreshed, the species are placed in a new random order. The placement seen in the visualization is reflected in the animation and summary. If a different placement is desired go back to the visualization page and refresh it until the desired placement is displayed. If something more specific than this is required contact a professional consultant here.
Animations
Can I slow down the animations?
The animations can be paused at anytime.
Can I stop or reverse the animations?
While pointing to the slider button and holding the mouse button down it is possible to pull the animation forward and back in time or even hold in a stationary temporal position. This allows the user to grok the animation as needed.
I notice some of the canopies of species from the same time period and stratum are overlapping. Is there anything I can do to stop it from happening?
Overlapping canopies of species of the same term/stratum represent conflicts, which must be resolved via pruning. Return to the pruning page and adjust the canopy diameter variables. Several rounds of adjusting variables and returning to the animations page to review the outcome maybe necessary before all conflicts in the system are resolved for the 15-year time period.
Many of the species look crowded. What can I do?
Adjust the canopy diameters as outlined above or select fewer and/or different species.
Summary
The Summary page won’t open. What do I do?
Click the “Proceed” button to go to the next step in the process.
How do I know which species are being used in the planting visualizations?
Each circled position displayed on a view in the summary is live just as it is in the visualization page.
Can I change locations of species placed in the visualization?
The same protocol as outlined in the visualization page applies here.
There is not enough % canopy cover at 10 years. What can I do?
Alter the pruning variables for species selected for the project and/or select more species.
I found the short-term species at the bottom of the Summary page. Is there visualization for them as well?
No. If you require assistance with this contact a professional consultant.
PDF Report
My PDF report is not loading. What do I do?
Each user can only download one pdf report per minute. If an attempt was made to download more reports than the allotted number per minute, then an error script will appear.
I saved my PDF report but I don’t see it. How do I open it?
Saved files should be visible along the bottom of your browser window. Find your file there and open it or open your files and search for what you named the project.
How do I know which species goes in which location on the planting views?
The pdf is not live, so the names do not pop up on scroll over as they do in other parts of the tool. From this point, it is up to the user to place species. If you require assistance with this contact a professional consultant here.
I need a nursery list with numbers of individuals for each species where do I find one?
The first column of the plant list table for each term displays the estimated number of species in the project.
How do I use this report once I print it?
Each report has basic information about the species selected for that project. The report can be used to help order nursery stock and other germplasm necessary for the project. It also contains production notes and pruning variables for canopy management through time. If you require assistance with this contact a professional consultant here.
How can I use this report to install my project?
If you require assistance with this we recommend you contact us.
Please send your feedback and report site errors to webmaster@agroforestryx.com
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