Current trends in silvopastoral systems

Abstract

The Latin American region plays a significant role in the global livestock industry, contributing over 26% of beef production, 38% of beef exports, and 10% of dairy production worldwide. This sector has seen steady growth over the past decade, driven by rising demand and the region’s favourable conditions with an expected expansion in the future. However, as cattle production in the region ismainly carried out in grazing systems, it has raised awareness due to the combined effects of land use change, deforestation, and burning of savannas and forest with negative consequences on climate change, biodiversity, water cycles, food security and the livelihoods of resource dependent communitie s. In this context, silvopastoral systems (SPS) are suggested as a key solution to the conflict between agricultural production and conserving natural ecosystems. SPS are a type of agroforestry that allows the intensification of cattle production based on natural processes that are recognized as an integrated approach to sustainable land use.