Types of silvopastoral system: adding trees to pasture/rangelands

Publication date: 30-09-2025
Extent: 26 pages

Contributions by: M. J. Beltran, National Institute of Agriculture Technology (INTA)/National University of San Antonio de Areco (UNSADA), Argentina; G. S. Cambareri, INTA Balcarce Research Station, Argentina; N. Banegas, Semi Arid Chaco National Institute of Animal Research (IJACS) - INTA, Argentina; P. L. Peri, INTA Rio Gallegos Research Station/National University of Patagonia Austral (UNPA)/National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Argentina; L. Colcombet, INTA Montecarlo Research Station, Argentina; G. J. Martínez Pastur, M. V. Lencinas, J. Benítez and J. Rodríguez-Souilla , Austral Center for Scientific Research (CADIC) – CONICET, Argentina; J. M. Cellini, Wood Research Laboratory (LIMAD) – National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina; and V. R. N. Cosentino, National Institute of Agriculture Technology (INTA)/CONICET, Argentina

Chapter synopsis:

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) have been identified as efficient land management strategies to increase the performance of animal and tree production. The combinations of trees and/or shrubs with pastures and animals are present in diverse ways, generating different SPS. SPS design can be two or three strata where grass, trees, and shrubs could be combined; live fences and barriers; windbreaks and native forests. These SPS deliver environmental services such as soil carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, water sources conservation, water regulation and soil quality improvement, animal welfare and increased forage production. The chapter includes four different SPS cases from Argentina. The chapter reviews their impacts, including an increase in total biomass production of the whole system and levels of soil carbon sequestration. SPS are therefore important tools for managing climate change mitigation and food security.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2024.0141.12