The potential of forest food resources for agroforestry development in the Arkhangelsk region

The problem of food security is always relevant for society, but it is even more acute for the inhabitants of northern territories due to unfavorable agricultural conditions. The use of forest food resources, which are abundant in northern regions, and the development of agroforestry help to solve this problem. Agroforestry in this context is seen as an intensive system of sustainable forest management that has a goal-oriented concept tailored to local ecological and socio-economic conditions and integrates both agricultural and forestry practices. This article aims to explore the potential and role of forest food resources in achieving self-sufficiency for the inhabitants of the Arkhangelsk region, as well as the feasibility of implementing agroforestry practices in forestry. The following objectives were pursued and addressed to achieve the research goal: reviewing journal articles, research results, and statistical data on the use of wild plants; conducting original research to understand and evaluate the role and place of wild plants in the dietary habits of the Arkhangelsk region’s population, as well as the goals and characteristics of plant harvesting; assessing the potential of berry cultivation in the region; identifying challenges and prospects associated with the use and development of forest food resources. The study employed a combination of theoretical, empirical, and comprehensive research methods, including document analysis, marketing research in the form of a survey of Arkhangelsk region residents, and SWOT analysis. The comprehensive study generated conclusions and recommendations regarding the utilization of forest food resources in agroforestry, as well as the need for further research on predictive models for berry yields and interactive maps showcasing the locations of wild plants accessible to the local population. A practical innovation proposed in this study is the development of interactive GIS maps to be used by the region’s inhabitants that display the localization of wild plants based on a network of fixed testing sites. This approach aims to foster sustainable and multifaceted forest management development.