This working paper analyses 1) the impacts of continuing land-use and climate changes in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) region; and 2) the potential role of increased use of trees in agricultural landscapes to reduce the negative impact of land-use changes. The study is taken to confirm that natural resources and ecosystem services – particularly water, soil and biodiversity – are degrading in the LMB. However, it is argued that trees outside forests, including agroforests, can help buffer both ecosystems and local livelihoods in agricultural landscapes, thereby enhancing their resilience. It is argued that combining local knowledge and scientific knowledge in selecting optimal combinations and spatial arrangements of suitable trees and agroforestry practices is necessary in order to maximize synergies and reduce trade-offs among different ecosystem services, between ecosystem benefits and economic benefits, and between climate-change adaptation and mitigation purposes. Policy recommendations and ideas for further research are given.