China is one of the richest countries in agroforestry systems, especially in tropical areas.  Most natural forest is found in that area, besides the primary forests in southern Yunnan and Hainan Island, are very precious resources. A clear and specified classification, applied to the tropical zone in China can be useful for the sustainable management of naturel resources and species conversation. Based on this classification, it will be possible to differentiate the management measures for systems.

We have collected information of agroforestry systems in worldwide and in China. Classifications from different authors were reviewed and evaluated. We studied representative cases in tropical China,  and have designed this proposed classification. In purpose of distinguishing the management strategy to form natural forest and artificial forest This classification was made according to the woodland, which is dominant in the system. First it distinguishes if the agroforestry system developed based on a naturalized environment or an artificial plantation, their ecological function is the protection or restoration.Depending on where it is established, the first level of classification could be divided in two categories: natural forest and artificial forest.

The second level of classification distinguishes the forest type. They were classified by characteristics and the use of woodland. For natural forest, they are divided in primary forests and secondary forests, depending on the status and characteristics. The artificial plantations could divide into four parts by the use of trees: wood, non-timber products, shelterbelts and homegardens. At the third level we classified their components, here are four basic components: forest, trees, crops (including medicinal plants and Lianas) and animals.Furthermore, considering their main components and structures they were classified into more detailed. To illustrate that, we have chosen some representative cases of each type, introduce the history, the integration between species, the advantages and disadvantages, etc.