Sustainability of Livestock Systems in the Pampa Biome of Brazil: An Analysis Highlighting the Rangeland Dilemma

João Garibaldi Almeida Viana,Rafaela Vendruscolo,Vicente Celestino Pires Silveira,Mariana Patricia Mezzomo,Jean François Tourrand,Fernando Luiz Ferreira De Quadros

doi:10.3390/su132413781

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyse the sustainability of different livestock systems in the Brazilian Pampa biome, from the perspective of the rangeland dilemma. We used the indicator-based framework for evaluating the sustainability of natural resource management systems (MESMIS). These were constructed for social, economic and environmental dimensions, and they were measured across a study suite of 115 establishments, representing the rangeland livestock system (RLS), intensive livestock system, and livestock–agricultural system (ALS). Indicator averages were compared between three systems via ANOVA and Tukey test. The results allocated a higher level of sustainability to RLS. When the three land-use systems were analysed across the dimensions, significant differences were found in their environmental sustainability, with the ALS presenting poorer results. Within each dimension, there were significant differences in the indicators for production systems, social participation and capital flow. We discussed two main points: the results found through the concept of the rangeland dilemma, by exploring its conditions, in addition to exposing the concept of functional integrity. In conclusion, an approach to develop policies for the Pampa is to recognize the rangeland as a “common good”, to generate income and stimulate the local economy.

Highlights

Natural pastures comprise one and two thirds of the global land inventory, including deserts, steppes, grasslands, pampas, scrublands, and tree savannas; they are spread over five continents—in plains, mountainous, and flooded lands, and in tropical, temperate, and polar zones [1]
We discuss the results found through the concept of the rangeland dilemma, observed through the sustainability assessment of the three production systems found in the Brazilian Pampa biome
This research highlights the rangeland dilemma based on the evaluation of three types of livestock systems in the Brazilian Pampa biome

Summary

Introduction

Natural (or native) pastures comprise one and two thirds of the global land inventory, including deserts, steppes, grasslands, pampas, scrublands, and tree savannas; they are spread over five continents—in plains, mountainous, and flooded lands, and in tropical, temperate, and polar zones [1]. Nations have facilitated the social and economic development of their people by developing national water and mineral resources and exploiting their biodiversity, especially through livestock husbandry in rangelands. In South America, the Pampa biome is a rangeland that occupies approximately. The Pampa biome stands out for its water wealth, soil and vegetation, and imposing biodiversity, a part of which is yet to be scientifically investigated [2,3]. It has been estimated that the biome biodiversity is represented by approximately 3000 plant species, including a wide variety of grasses and legumes, as well as 500 species of birds, and more than 100 species of land mammals [4,5]

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