Ch. 5: Silvopastoral systems based on natural grassland and ponderosa pine in NW Patagonia (Argentina)

CABALLÉ, G.; FERNÁNDEZ ME; GYENGE, J.; LANTSCHNER, MV; RUSCH, V.; LETOURNEAU, F; BORRELLI, L.

Silvopastoral systems in Southern South America

Springer

Año: 2016; p. 89 - 115

This chapter summarizes the results of researchconducted over the past 15 years and provides management guidelines for thedevelopment of silvopastoral systems based on ponderosa pine plantations establishedon natural grasslands in NW Patagonia, Argentina. The goals of the studies wereto generate knowledge for improving environmental and production efficiency inthat region. Ecological interactions among the different life forms which makeup a silvopastoral system (grasses, trees and animals) were studied todetermine what management system would optimize environmental resource sharing.In addition, aspects affecting environmental sustainability of the systems wereanalyzed, such as resource use (mainly water use) by silvopastoral componentsand biodiversity patterns. Based on those results, it was concluded that applyingsilvicultural practices leading to a tree canopy cover level equal to or below50%, is compatible with proper production of natural grassland species,particularly the palatable Festuca pallescens.Animal rearing should include rotation between different areas in this typeof system, where partial shade may limit grass re-growth compared to opengrasslands. However, microclimatic benefits of the trees on the animals may beparticularly significant, and deserve specific future research. Currentlyavailable information indicates that the studied silvopastoral systems may constitute,under the fragile environmental conditions of semiarid Patagonia,a sustainable activity in productive and environmental terms.