This review article discusses the benefits and challenges of mixing plant species in cropping systems, emphasizing the potential advantages of multispecies systems over monocultures. Multispecies systems, which include a variety of crops, trees, and other plants, are considered more sustainable and ecologically beneficial. They can enhance productivity, improve pest and disease control, and increase economic profitability. The article highlights the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems, noting that multispecies systems can contribute to soil conservation, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. It also discusses the different ways plant species can be mixed in cropping systems, including intercropping, agroforestry, and complex multi-strata systems. The review addresses the need for new models and tools to simulate and design multispecies systems, as current agronomic models are not well adapted to these complex systems. The article also explores the economic and environmental impacts of multispecies systems, including their potential to provide ecological services such as water quality improvement and biodiversity conservation. The review concludes that further research is needed to develop better understanding and tools for managing multispecies systems, combining agronomic and ecological concepts to enhance agricultural sustainability.This review article discusses the benefits and challenges of mixing plant species in cropping systems, emphasizing the potential advantages of multispecies systems over monocultures. Multispecies systems, which include a variety of crops, trees, and other plants, are considered more sustainable and ecologically beneficial. They can enhance productivity, improve pest and disease control, and increase economic profitability. The article highlights the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems, noting that multispecies systems can contribute to soil conservation, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. It also discusses the different ways plant species can be mixed in cropping systems, including intercropping, agroforestry, and complex multi-strata systems. The review addresses the need for new models and tools to simulate and design multispecies systems, as current agronomic models are not well adapted to these complex systems. The article also explores the economic and environmental impacts of multispecies systems, including their potential to provide ecological services such as water quality improvement and biodiversity conservation. The review concludes that further research is needed to develop better understanding and tools for managing multispecies systems, combining agronomic and ecological concepts to enhance agricultural sustainability.