An integrative approach to silvopastoral system design: perspectives, potentials and principles

Silvopastoral systems have complex impacts on a diverse range of outcomes, making it essential to design these systems using an integrative approach to maximise positive impacts to farms. This paper comprises firstly a systematic review of global silvopastoral processes, and secondly stakeholder-driven synthesis of key opportunities and challenges for future silvopastoralism situated in the context of New Zealand. The systematic review demonstrated that although under-researched, livestock interactions can have overriding influences on the system, and that the traditional functional traits that are typically deemed important for selection (N2-fixing trees v non N2-fixing trees, evergreen v deciduous) do not show consistent positive impacts on the agroecological environment. From the New Zealand silvopastoral participatory case study, including the stakeholder workshop, we synthesised 5 key principles that should be considered in future system designs. These were: (1) silvopastoral systems are complex and require holistic management; (2) the views, values and experiences of local people are deeply connected to silvopastoral system design; (3) spatial heterogeneity in environmental and social conditions requires locally specific decisions; (4) understanding of ecological processes must underpin all management decisions; and (5) the complexity and spatial heterogeneity present in silvopastoral systems requires high-resolution data and tools.

Keywords

Agroforestry, tree-pasture, wooded pasture, diversity, biodiversity

Citation

Mackay-Smith TH, Spiekermann RI, Richards DR, Harcourt N, Burkitt LL. (2024). An integrative approach to silvopastoral system design: perspectives, potentials and principles. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. Latest Articles. (pp. 1-41).

URI

https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/72232

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