Technical support for environmental management in silvopastoral systems

Abstract

Livestock farming in general, despite the economic importance, has been identified as a major cause of environmental damage (deforestation and fire) to the biomes of Brazil. In this scenario, society entities and preservationists have demanded the government's alternative livestock production less environmentally harmful, like the silvopastoral systems, which consist of a combination of timber and fruit trees with animals and have great potential for economic and environmental benefits to producers and to society. The implementation of silvopastoral systems could represent an excellent market opportunity, since it makes an activity intensive agriculture and the sustainable productive aspects, biological, economic, social and ecological, with profitability, the sale of products and derivatives; adding value to property, in addition to landscaping, allowing ecotourism. These systems fulfill some functions of natural forest, because they have permanent vegetation with deep roots and dense vegetation. They also represent a real alternative to the type of farming that prevails in Brazil, generating environmental services such as carbon sequestration, and improve the quality of life for farmers and their families who depend on livestock for their livelihoods. This paper reviews the aspects related to the formation and use of silvopastoral systems with considerations on the tree species to be used, the damage from animals to trees, the shading effect of trees on pastures and animals, besides the indicative sustainability and profitability in the short and long term these systems, as well as considerations about carbon sequestration. The success of silvopastoral systems will depend on the balance between its main components, the soil, trees, pasture and animals associated with the agricultural and forestry techniques, and environmental management.