INTENSIVE SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS (ISPS), MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION TOOL TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Abstract

Intensive silvopastoral systems (iSPS) are emerging as a tool for mitigation and adaptation of cattle ranching to climate change (CC). Under iSPS, 12 times more beef is produced than under extensive pastures and 4.5 more beef than under improved pastures without trees, but methane (CH4) emissions do not increase in the same proportion being 6.8 and 2.8 higher in the iSPS, respectively. In consequence, methane emissions per ton of beef produced are 1.8 times lower in the iSPS as compared with extensive pastures. Producing 10,000 tons of meat per year requires almost 150,000 has of extensive pastures that have a negative emission balance (more than 48,000 ton of CO2 eq). Producing the same amount of meat in iSPS requires only around 12,000 has with a positive balance of more than 3,000 ton of CO2 eq reduced. ISPS also contribute to the adaptation of cattle farming to CC, since they maintain soil moisture, reduce environment temperature while improving productivity and quality of forage and reduce seasonality of beef and milk production. In the dry Caribbean region of Colombia, iSPS reduce average annual temperature (2 to 3 ºC; with differences of up to 13 ºC in the warmest days), increase relative humidity in driest regions by 10 to 20% and reduce evapotranspiration (1.8 mm/day). Thus, iSPS contribute to mitigation and adaptation of tropical cattle ranching to CC.