Silvopastoral systems under native forest in Patagonia, Argentina

PERI, P; HANSEN, NE; BAHAMONDE, HA; LENCINAS, MV; VON MÜLLER, AR; ORMAECHEA, S; GARGAGLIONE, V; SOLER, R; TEJERA, LE; LLOYD, CE; MARTÍNEZ PASTUR, G

Silvopastoral systems in southern South America

Springer

Año: 2016; p. 117 - 168

In Patagonia, silvopastoral systems in Nothofagus antarctica (ñire) forest has become an economically, ecologicallyand socially productive landuse system. Patagonian experience withsilvopastoral systems in the past 15 years is reviewed in this chapter. Theproductivity and nutritive value (crude protein content and dry matter, DM,digestibility) of understorey grassland were dependent on the interaction ofenvironmental (mainly soil water availability and light intensity) and systemlevel management factors. Planned thinning in secondary forest stands providewood production and also improve the undestorey DM production by increasingincoming radiation. Within a Management Plan, two thinning intensities,depending on stand water stress conditions, are proposed. In addition, the useof Reineke?s Stand Density Index (SDI) is recommended to be used when decidingthinning intensities for different canopy covers. Livestock production is themain source of annual income from silvopastoral systems in N. antarctica forestwhere cattle and mixed livestock production (cattle + sheep) is the mainactivity. Animal performance at the whole-farm scale is described by comparinga traditional extensive grazing management with an adaptive silvopastoralmanagement. The management factors that favor adoption of silvopastoral systemare strategic separation of homogenous areas (grass steppe, forest and riparianmeadows), stocking rate adjustments based on grassland net primary productivityand the protection of regeneration from herbivores browsing by using individualtree guard. Also, data from litter decomposition, nutrients dynamic and carbonstorage are informed. Finally, aspects related to criteria and indicator(C&I) to assess ñire forest?s sustainability under silvopastoral use andbiodiversity conservation issues are also presented.