Silvopastoral systems for the high Andean tropics

Silvopastoral systems for the high Andean tropics

Productive system:
Dairy farming, dual-purpose farming
Geographic coverage:
Andean region

Silvopastoral systems for the high Andean tropics

Description

The comparative advantages of implementing and maintaining this type of system in livestock landscapes, especially affected by the expansion of the agricultural frontier and present in areas in constant conflict with strategic ecosystems, are presented below.

The body of knowledge and practices included within this recommendation are the following:

Types of silvopastoral arrangements, according to the function they are desired to perform.
Interactions between the components of the silvopastoral system and assessment of its ecosystem services.
Species recommended to be implemented in silvopastoral systems in the high Andean tropics.
How to establish a silvopastoral system (recommendations for spatiotemporal arrangements, propagation, and planting).
What is the management and maintenance of a silvopastoral system (recommendations for pruning and fertilization).
Costs associated with management practices.

Silvopastoral systems consist of the association of a tree or shrub component in interaction with pastures and animals, providing greater productivity and resilience to the livestock production system and increasing the provision of ecosystem services that refer to:

i) Provision services, from the use of timber forest products, forage, and non-timber products such as fruits, oils, resins, firewood, and delimitation of plots, among others.

ii) Regulation services that contribute to the better recycling of nutrients, soil retention, generation of microclimates, animal welfare, carbon sinks, and maintenance of biodiversity, among others.

iii) Cultural services such as landscaping.

Its use is recommended in the department of Nariño, in the municipalities of Aldana, Buesaco, Contadero, Córdoba, Cuaspud, Cumbal, Funes, Guachucal, Guaitarilla, Gualmatán, Iles, Imues, Ipiales, Ospina, Pasto, Potosí, Puerres, Pupiales, Santacruz, Sapuyes, Tangua, Túquerres, and Yacuanquer.