Silvopastoral Agroforestry Systems Research Articles

Silvopastoral agroforestry systems for dryland corners in Canterbury farms

Silvopastoral agroforestry systems for dryland corners in Canterbury farms

Influence of two agroforestry systems on the nitrification potential in temperate pastures in Brittany, France

Background and aimsAgroforestry, whereby trees are associated with crops and/or livestock, is expected to mitigate nitrogen (N) losses from agriculture. However, little is known about how nitrification potential, an important process that drives N losses, is affected by agroforestry systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different silvopastoral agroforestry systems on soil nitrification potential.MethodsNitrification potential was evaluated in two agroforestry systems (hedgerow and alley cropping) associated with temporary grasslands in Brittany, France. In each system, soil was sampled along a transect spanning from the center of the tree row into the grass alley. Soil nitrification potential was determined ex situ and was explained by univariate and multivariate analysis of variables describing vegetation, physicochemical soil properties, and soil organisms.ResultsNitrification potential differed between the two agroforestry systems and among the positions in relation to the trees. In the alley cropping system, nitrification potential was on average 1.5 times higher in the tree row than at 1.5 and 10 m into the grass alley, while in the hedgerow system, nitrification potential at 1.5 m into the grass alley was on average 40% lower than at 10 m into the grass alley. Nitrification potential was strongly correlated with soil pH, whereas no correlation was observed between nitrification potential and community size of soil nitrifiers.ConclusionOur results point out the diverse effects of agroforestry systems on nitrification, a key soil process that is involved in the regulation of N losses.

Multi-species rotational grazing of small ruminants regenerates undergrowth vegetation while controlling weeds in the oil palm silvopastoral system

CONTEXT.Prolonged use of synthetic herbicides to control weeds may cause adverse effects on the environment and human wellbeing. As a mitigation effort, commercial oil palm growers have been encouraged to adopt livestock integration as a holistic approach to manage weeds. Previous studies have suggested utilizing a multi-species livestock grazing may optimize the grazing impacts in silvopastoral agroforestry systems. OBJECTIVEPresent study examined the effects of small ruminant grazing (i.e., goats, sheep and multi-species) on undergrowth vegetation with the following specific objectives: 1) to investigate the effects of small ruminant grazing treatments on undergrowth vegetation composition in oil palm plantations; 2) to examine the variables (canopy cover, grazing treatments, and cycles) that influenced undergrowth vegetation (species richness, coverage, height, and dry weight) in oil palm plantations. METHODSWe established quadrats on experimental plots to detect changes in undergrowth vegetation composition, species diversity, coverage, height, and dry weight resulting from different grazing treatments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe found that undergrowth vegetation composition varied between different grazing treatments. The multi-species livestock grazing effectively supress unwanted weeds (i.e., woody broadleaves) compared to single–species livestock grazing (i.e., goats, sheep). The use of single-species livestock grazing is likely to cause oil palm growers to use herbicides to control undesirable weeds. Hence, we concluded managing undergrowth vegetation in oil palm plantations using multi-species livestock grazing is a practical approach, and it should be fine-tuned for example by choosing livestock species based on the targeted objectives and the grazing sequence that will be practiced to regenerate the oil palm silvopastoral system. SIGNIFICANCEMulti-species livestock grazing can reduce oil palm growers' dependence on synthetic herbicides for weed control and optimize land use in oil palm plantation sector. On the other hand, the use of single species, whether goat or sheep-only, has caused unwanted undergrowth to increase after several grazing rotations have been carried out. Therefore, the use of multi-species grazing is a promising biological tool to reduce synthetic herbicide application in environmentally-sustainable oil palm plantations.

Collaborative agroforestry to mitigate wildfires in Extremadura, Spain: land manager motivations and perceptions of outcomes, benefits, and policy needs

Wildfires are increasing in severity, and magnitude in the Mediterranean Basin in recent years, reaching a yearly average of 450 000 ha over the last decade. Drivers include climate change, land-use change, and land abandonment. Wildfire mitigation requires landscape-level action as impact to each parcel is affected by the conditions of the others. We conducted a case study of a regional-level initiative that develops community efforts to mitigate wildfires through silvo-pastoral agroforestry systems, using an integrated landscape management approach. This approach involves collaboration among stakeholders to achieve multiple objectives. In order to derive insights into its potential, we asked participating land managers: (1) What motivates their participation?, (2) How do they perceive initiative outcomes?, and as urban outmigrants with non-traditional goals are increasing in rural areas, (3) Do responses differ between rural and neo-rural participants? Our results show that managers feel highly affected by wildfires and are strongly motivated to reduce wildfire risk. Land abandonment and inappropriate policy were major concerns. The initiative was seen to have positive outcomes for individual participants as well as the region, and to stimulate community connectedness. We conclude that fit to local contexts, integrated landscape management can be a well-received approach to reducing wildfire risk. Agroforestry systems in Extremadura can act as “productive fuelbreaks” that reduce fire risk over extensive areas, while restoring traditional landscapes. We suggest that programs to reduce wildfire risk can also be used as a leverage point for financing rural revival and provision of multiple ecosystem services.

Adoption of Silvopastoral Agroforestry System for a Sustainable Cattle Production in Nigeria

Silvopastoral systems are agroforestry systems that involves a combination of tree growing with the production of livestock. This type of agroforestry system has the potential to improve hydric balance, enhances biodiversity conservation, increases organic livestock proximity index, allows cleaner cattle production, improves cattle production per hectare, improves carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gases and significantly reduce /eliminate herder -farmer conflicts in Nigeria . Hence, this paper reviews and introduces the adoption of silvopastoral agroforestry system for a sustainable cattle production in Nigeria using literatures. Types of silvopastoral systems includes Fodder bank systems, live fence or boundary systems, hedgerow intercropping systems and tree plantation with animal grazing systems. There is limited information on silvopastoral system in Nigeria, hence the need to carry out more research and studies on its acceptability and sustainability in the future.

Silvopastoral production as part of alternative food networks: Agroforestry systems in Umbria and Lazio, Italy

ABSTRACT Silvopastoral agroforestry systems combine the management of livestock and trees or other woody perennials on the same land. Aside from giving farmers an opportunity to diversify their income and reduce inputs, these systems have been shown to provide a number of ecological benefits. Given the growing demand for environmentally produced food, this paper assessed how farmers of silvopastoral agroforestry systems distribute their products in the context of alternative food networks (AFN). Applying Global Production Network (GPN) analysis, the distribution of output was assessed for eight farms in two Italian regions (Umbria, Lazio) following qualitative interviews. While farmers of the case studies partly rely on conventional supply channels and markets, all of them engage in alternative forms of food distribution, such as off-farm sales, home deliveries, and farmer-owned shops enabling direct exchange with customers. Paired with a focus on high product quality, it can be argued that these farmers also form part of alternative food networks. This practice does result in higher prices for directly marketed products, an easier management of product information at the point of sale, as well as high levels of traceability. Yet, the fact that only a few farmers advertise the environmental benefits of their production systems indicates some potential for further value enhancement, which could allow farmers to capitalize on the synergy of alternative production and distribution.

Patchy landscapes support more plant diversity and ecosystem services than wood grasslands in Mediterranean silvopastoral agroforestry systems

Plant diversity and proxy indicators of ecosystem services were assessed for three structural components of Mediterranean silvopastoral agroforestry systems: WL = cork oak woodlands, WG = cork oak wood grasslands, and OG = open grasslands. Our study was conducted in a long-term observatory located in NE Sardinia, characterized by fragmented land ownership and land use, which generates a patchy landscape that is different from the extensively studied large scale Iberian dehesas and montados. Our research question was focused on assessing whether, a “patchy” land use scenario made of the combination of WL, WG and OG or a “specialized” scenario could provide more plant diversity and ecosystem services than a “dehesa type” scenario including only WG under the same overall tree cover. The results showed that γ and β diversity, species unique to a position, C stock, cork and acorn production, Hemicryptophytes cover, nectariferous species cover, decreased and pastoral value, excellent and good forage species and legume cover, increased along the WL➔WG➔OG land use gradient. Isolated trees in WG and clearings in WL highly contributed to achieving mainly high C stock and plant diversity respectively. The results also showed that the “specialized” scenario can support higher biodiversity and better ecosystem services than the “dehesa type” scenario, but the “patchy” scenario made of all three components proved to support the highest level of both biodiversity and ecosystem services in Mediterranean silvopastoral agroforestry systems.

Capturing the value of ecosystem services from silvopastoral systems: Perceptions from selected Italian farms

Combining livestock and trees in silvopastoral agroforestry systems has shown to be valuable in fostering the provision of ecosystem services. For farmers, these systems provide an opportunity for diversifying their product range. This study assessed if farmers can additionally translate the ecological value into economic benefits. Applying the concepts of global value chain (GVC) and global production network (GPN) analysis, the evolution of value was analysed for eight farms in the Italian regions of Umbria and Lazio following qualitative interviews. Production benefits and ecosystem services resulting from the silvopastoral systems were perceived to contribute to product value either by (i) minimising inputs or (ii) adding value through the marketing of quality attributes such as environmentally friendly production or nutritional value. Although ecological benefits of the systems are recognised by most farmers of this study, few advertise it. Due to a lack of possibilities to label products from silvopastoral systems as such, farmers must rely on close connections to consumers for marketing or use organic certification if selling over greater distances. Designing public payments to reward the provision of ecosystem services directly could make silvopastoral farming more attractive and encourage wider application.

BIOECONOMIC POTENTIAL FOR SILVOPASTORAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM IN NORTH WALES

Purpose: This study evaluated the bio-economic potentials of temperate lowland silvopastoral agroforestry systems in North Wales, United Kingdom.Methodology: The bioeconomic analysis compared three land-use plausible scenarios (‘forestry’, ‘pasture / livestock’ and ‘agroforestry’) at 3.5% discount rate on a 10-hectare farm over a 30-year rotation using discounted cash flow analysis and national costs and prices for both livestock and tree products based on 2016 baseline data. Base case net present value (NPV) and annual equivalent value (AEV) were calculated for each production livestock grazing, farm forestry, and silvopastoral agroforestry scenario, assuming no policy interventions.Findings: Generally, results of the economic analyses indicated that under the baseline case, assuming no policy interventions, none of the options was viable. This study also showed that increase in lamb sale price, wood price, and wood yield improved the economic viability of the three investment options significantly. Again, the viability of the three investment options in this study is shown to decrease with increase in discount rates. Furthermore, this study disclosed that the application of prevailing government grant/subsidy schemes significantly improved the economic viability of the three investment options as livestock, forestry and agroforestry options showed positive NPV and AEV values at the baseline assumptions and are therefore adjudged economically viable as they all met the decision rule criteria for investment acceptance. Forestry was the most viable option with the highest NPV and AEV, followed by pasture/livestock and agroforestry options.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study underscored the imperative need for policy makers to improve awareness of the benefits of grant incomes and address farmers’ concerns about the economic viability of livestock, forestry and agroforestry investments. The results of this research will help promote greater awareness of the economic value of trees in extensively grazed landscapes in the United Kingdom as well as provide a basis for future comparisons and analysis of farm programs and ecosystem service markets.

Caracterización estructural de una comunidad arbórea de un sistema silvopastoril en una zona de transición florística de Nuevo León

Las comunidades arbóreas con sistemas silvopastoriles desempeñan un papel importante en los ecosistemas áridos y semiáridos del país, al conservar la biodiversidad y el desarrollo de las actividades ganaderas, que son de vital importancia en el norte de México. Con el objetivo de caracterizar una comunidad arbórea de un sistema silvopastoril en una zona de transición de matorral espinoso tamaulipeco y mezquital en Nuevo León, se establecieron cinco sitios de muestreo de 2500 m2, en los cuales se realizó un inventario de todas las especies arbóreas con diámetro a la altura de 1.30 m (DAP) igual o mayor que 7.5 cm. Se evaluaron composición y estructuras vertical y horizontal a través de parámetros estructurales de la vegetación (abundancia relativa, frecuencia relativa, dominancia relativa), índice de valor de importancia, índice de valor forestal y modelos para las variables diámetro normal - área de copa. Las especies principales desde el punto de vista ecológico fueron Prosopis laevigata (Hump. & Bonlp. ex. Willd.) M. C. Johnst. y Ebenopsis ebano (Berland.) Barneby & J. W. Grimes, la comunidad presentó alta densidad de individuos, alta cobertura de copa y una estructura vertical con alta proporción de individuos con altura mayor o igual a 6 m. El modelo lineal mostró los mejores ajustes al presentar un R2 = 0.621. El manejo silvo-pastoril ha conservado y promovido los atributos estructurales de la comunidad vegetal nativa.

Productivity and economic evaluation of Willow (Salix alba L.) based silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley

Performance of two fodder crops namely, sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated with Willow (Salix alba L.) to evaluate productivity and economics of the silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley. The experiment was laid out by planting two year old willows at 2.0m × 2.0m spacing and dividing the main plot into sub-plots of size 8m × 2m each with 5 replications in randomized block design (RDB). The intercrops of sorghum and maize were maintained at 20cm × 10 cm spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The economics of the willow plantation intercropped with fodder crops was compared with sole willow farming by the benefit-cost ratio and net present worth. The study revealed the differential behaviour of Salix alba regarding growth parameters (height, diameter and girth) by different intercrops and various fodder intercrops with respect to yield, above ground biomass, dry matter production and soil nutrient status (pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). The willow based silvopastoral system was estimated to have benefit-cost ratio of 2.71 with maize and 2.68 with sorghum, while as sole crop the willows accrued a benefit-cost ratio of 2.66. The study is useful in discovering growth of willows, productivity of fodder crops and soil nutrient status under various silvopastoral agroforestry systems for maximizing economic gains. The findings envisaged evidences in favour of adopting willow based silvopastoral agroforestry instead of sole tree farming and the knowledge of interactions will be helpful in proper management of the system for sustained multiple productions.

Soil carbon changes after establishing woodland and agroforestry trees in a grazed pasture

This study determined the effect of two tree planting methods (woodland and a silvopastoral agroforestry system) on the soil bulk density and organic carbon content of a grassland site in lowland England. Soil organic carbon was measured in pasture, silvopastoral tree, and woodland treatments at six depths representative of 0–150cm. Fourteen years after tree planting, the organic carbon content in the surface soil layer (0–10cm) was greatest in the pasture (6.0g 100g−1) and least in the woodland (4.6g 100g−1); the value (5.3g 100g−1) below the silvopastoral trees was intermediate. In the 10–20cm layer, the organic carbon content in the woodland was 13% lower than the pasture. No treatment effects on soil carbon were detected below 20cm. Possible reasons for the decline in surface soil carbon include a decline in grass cover and reduced soil water content. Measurements of above ground carbon storage by the trees indicated that tree planting increased overall carbon storage, with the silvopastoral system predicted to achieve a higher level of carbon storage than equivalent areas of separate woodland and pasture. A power analysis indicates that a prohibitively large number of replicates is needed to ensure a lower than 20% risk of falsely concluding no treatment differences at individual depth increments below 10cm and cumulative depths extending below 40cm.

UPAYA REHABILITASI LAHAN KRITIS DENGAN PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI AGROFORESTRY SISTEM SILVOPASTORAL DI DESA OEBOLA KECAMATAN FATULEU KABUPATEN KUPANG

AbstractThe increase is a critical area of unity between the simultaneouscondition biofisik, social, economic and culture associated with the land asThe main factors of production, and implementation of policies thatconsider less sustainable. Fatuleu sub-district is one of the district with29,800 inhabitants The population, which consists of 11 villages and 1village. Livelihood of communities is 41.41% is agricultural and animalhusbandry. The goal of this activity are: 1). Rest and empowering potentialof silvopastoral agroforestry system as a source of economic income people;2). Changing the views and attitudes of farmers on land that has not beenapplying the concept of silvopastoral system; 3). Changing the system ofland use monoculture (traditional) into Multicultural (modern).Bring or change the pattern of land use monokuler need to bemultikuler process. The method is implemented with a participatoryapproach to counseling about technology silvopastoral agroforestry systemfor the rehabilitation of critical land. Demplot making model with thecondition that the land biofisik Social Economy and society, developmentdemplot plants with the implementation of silvicultural techniques thatinclude tree species selection, soil management techniques, plantingtechniques and maintenance.This activity is held on the land of farmers and the maincommodities planted on land that is provided is deplot forestry plantsnamely Mahoni with planting distance of 6 x 6 meters with the plantingholes 30x30x30 cm, while the terrace plants and Lamtoro turi.Implementation of activities or physical realization in location, the form of:1) Preparation of land for planting and seedling; 2) Making terrace; 3)Pengalian hole; 4) Planting. Planting activities have been done in the areawho have plot, but given the climate conditions of heat and rain have notbeen evenly down the steps that are taken with give irrigation teets.Key words: rehabilitation, angroforestry, and silvopastoral

Carbon Storage of Different Soil‐Size Fractions in Florida Silvopastoral Systems

Compared with open (treeless) pasture systems, silvopastoral agroforestry systems that integrate trees into pasture production systems are likely to enhance soil carbon (C) sequestration in deeper soil layers. To test this hypothesis, total soil C contents at six soil depths (0-5, 5-15, 15-30, 30-50, 50-75, and 75-125 cm) were determined in silvopastoral systems with slash pine (Pinus elliottii) + bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and an adjacent open pasture (OP) with bahiagrass at four sites, representing Spodosols and Ultisols, in Florida. Soil samples from each layer were fractionated into three classes (250-2000, 53-250, and <53 microm), and the C contents in each were determined. Averaged across four sites and all depths, the total soil organic carbon (SOC) content was higher by 33% in silvopastures near trees (SP-T) and by 28% in the alleys between tree rows (SP-A) than in adjacent open pastures. It was higher by 39% in SP-A and 20% in SP-T than in open pastures in the largest fraction size (250-2000 microm) and by 12.3 and 18.8%, respectively, in the intermediate size fraction (53-250 microm). The highest SOC increase (up to 45 kg m(-2)) in whole soil of silvopasture compared with OP was at the 75- to 125-cm depth at the Spodosol sites. The results support the hypothesis that, compared with open pastures, silvopastures contain more C in deeper soil layers under similar ecological settings, possibly as a consequence of a major input to soil organic matter from decomposition of dead tree-roots.

Environmental quality improvement of agricultural lands through silvopasture in southeastern United States

We hypothesized that, because of the ability of trees to sequester carbon (C) in the deep soil profile and remove excess nutrients from soils, the silvopastoral agroforestry system could enhance the environmental quality of the agricultural lands. To test this hypothesis, two sets of experiments were conducted in two soil orders in Florida, Spodosols and Ultisols, with two major objectives: i) determining the soil C accumulation and tracing the plant sources of C in soil fractions, and ii) quantifying water soluble phosphorus (WSP) and estimating the Soil P Storage Capacity (SPSC). Total C in both soil orders was greater under silvopasture than in treeless pastures, particularly at lower depths. Stable-isotope signature analysis suggested that C3 plants (in this case, slash pine, Pinus elliotii) contributed to a more stable C fraction than C4 plants (in this case, bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum) at soil depths up to 1 m. WSP was consistently higher in treeless pastures, while the remaining SPSC was lower in this land-use system, suggesting the greater likelihood of P moving out of the soil under treeless pasture than in silvopasture. Thus, the presence of trees in pastures contributed to more stable C within the soil profiles, lower WSP, and greater SPSC, indicating more environmental benefits provided by silvopastoral systems as compared to treeless pastures under similar ecological settings.

Factors affecting a sheep vegetation management system in British Columbia, Canada

A silvopastoral agroforestry system involving sheep is an important silvicultural issue. We examined the factors that affect the continuation or discontinuation of sheep vegetation management (SVM) in British Columbia. A questionnaire was used to conduct interviews with a randomly selected sample of contractors and farmers who were involved in SVM in British Columbia (BC). Based on a stepwise discriminant analysis, we found that the profitability of SVM, and the practitioners' commitment (number of ewes owned by the farmer or contractor), experience (number of years the farmer or contractor has practiced SVM on public lands in BC) and trust or confidence (number of years the farmer or contractor has consistently worked for the landlord) contributed to the farmer's or contractor's continuation or discontinuation of SVM practice. The factors we defined seemed to be validated (corroborated) by a complex of determinants voiced by various experts concerning the relationship between SVM and the forestry economy in BC, the scale of sheep farming in BC, the relative absence of an agricultural infrastructure to support sheep farming in BC, and the continuity of SVM from year to year. Further investigation into these factors and others is required to advance our understanding of SVM in British Columbia.

Diurnal and seasonal patterns of nitrogenase activity of red alder in comparison with white clover in silvopastoral agroforestry systems

Simultaneous measurements were made to assess the diurnal and seasonal patterns of nitrogenase activity of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) growing together in a silvopastoral agroforestry system using the acetylene reduction assay. Diurnal measurements were made in the summer and autumn at 3-h intervals whereas seasonal nitrogenase activity was assessed based on observations made at midday in July, September and January to represent the summer, autumn and winter seasons, respectively. No obvious diurnal patterns of nitrogenase activity were found in either red alder or white clover in summer and no significant variations in nitrogenase activity were observed between day and night. However, in autumn, pronounced diurnal patterns were observed in both species. Significantly higher rates of nitrogenase activity per unit dry weigh (dwt) of nodules were detected at 1500 hours in red alder, whereas, in white clover, significantly higher rates were obtained at 2100 hours. There was no significant correlation between diurnal nitrogenase activity and air temperature, photosynthetically active radiation and soil temperature at 10 cm depth in either red alder or white clover. Seasonal rates of nitrogenase activity showed significantly higher activity in summer, which subsequently decreased in autumn, to reach very low levels in the winter. The rates of nitrogenase activity of white clover were consistently higher than those of red alder both diurnally and seasonally. In the three seasons sampled, the average nitrogenase activity for white clover was 66.42 μmol C2H4 g dwt–1 h–1, which was 3.5 times higher than the 18.67 μmol C2H4 g dwt–1 h–1 obtained for red alder.

Evaluation of anti-sheep tree-stem-protection products in silvopastoral agroforestry

Direct herbivore damage to trees in temperate silvopastoral agroforestry systems is a major management consideration. Individual plastic tree-shelters may sometimes cause poor tree development and they have limited life span. Therefore, some alternative tree-shelter products were tested on four year old Acer pseudoplatanus and Fraxinus excelsior. Damage to the main stem was assessed by determining the area of bark removed by sheep browsing. Wobra®, a paint-on abrasive substance applied to the main stem, was effective in reducing sheep damage. However, some damage did occur due to breach of the protective barrier as a result of stem diameter increases and its removal through rubbing by animals. Anipel®, a systemic bittering agent supplied through the root system, was not effective in preventing significant damage compared to no-treatment controls, possibly because of poor uptake of the active ingredient into the tree. Within treatments, there were significant differences in damage incurred. Most notably Fraxinus suffered more damage than Acer, an effect which may be related to differences in tree size and/or relative palatability.

Grazing in a California silvopastoral system: effects of defoliation season, intensity, and frequency on deerbrush, Ceanothus integerrimus Hook. &amp; Arn.

When understory species that suppress tree growth are preferred by livestock to tree species, selective herbivory has practical application for forest or woodland management as part of a silvopastoral agroforestry system. Results of two studies of the prescriptive application of selective grazing designed to suppress growth of a common understory shrub, deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus Hook. & Am.), to favor growth of conifer species are presented. Grazing for vegetation manipulation requires the same information needed to apply any chemical or mechanical method: knowledge of the effective timing, frequency, and intensity of application, and the selectivity of impact. The first study, a two-year series of grazing trials, examined the degree of cattle preference for deerbrush as compared to conifers, and response of deerbrush to grazing on a forest site. The second, a three-year study based on grazing trial results, used clipping to examine the specifics of deerbrush response to patterns of herbivory. Deerbrush was highly preferred by cattle in the grazing trials. Even at 90% utilization of the shrubs, no conifers were browsed. High degrees of utilization did not suppress shrub growth in the grazing trials. The clipping study found deerbrush significantly responsive to frequency and intensity of defoliation (P 0.1). High intensity, frequent grazing is required to suppress the shrub. Intermediate prescriptions can be used to manage for various combinations of wildlife, timber, or forage-related objectives. These results and methods are applicable to any silvopastoral system where prescriptive grazing is used in conjunction with tree crops.