RESTORATION OF PASTORILE SYSTEMS FOR THE REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GASES IN THE CAUTO RIVER BASIN, CUBA

Abstract

Background: Greenhouse gases generated by livestock increasingly affect neighboring ecosystems and climate in general, but proper management of feeding systems based on grasses and forages can contribute to reducing their emission. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the restoration of pastoral systems on the reduction in the generation of greenhouse gases. Materials and Methods: 35 farms located in four edaphoclimatic scenarios of the Cauto River Basin in the Eastern Cuban Region were restored. The restoration included the elimination of weeds, rehabilitation of pastoral systems, reforestation until reaching 50% of the area covered by the shade of the trees and the adaptation of the management system to the requirements of the rancher according to the characteristics of each farm. Results: Variables related to the productivity of the system, pasture recovery, generation of greenhouse gases and the recycling of nutrients to the soil were observed. The statistical technique "MEMI" was applied to summarize the information and typify the systems. The generation of greenhouse gases in pastoral systems is related to the factors "Volume of production" and "Size of the herd" that is maintained on the farm, which explain 70.52% of the variance of the adjusted model. Implications: This study offers an alternative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from livestock farming, which increases when the principles of balance are not met within the production system. Conclusion: The generation of greenhouse gases per unit of product decreases as the productivity of the herd increases; the recycling of nutrients to the soil through the litter grows when the balance between the animal load and the productivity of the pasture is reached, which is related to the management system that is conducted in these livestock systems.