Climate change has increased the interannual and seasonal variation in the average temperature and precipitation rate, which determine forage availability globally. Similar patterns of change have occurred in tropical regions, and Ecuador is no exception. This region includes other influencing factors, such as the conversion of tropical forests to extensive pastures. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate guinea grass (Panicum maximum) cultivated under silvopastoral systems with different management strategies in both of the seasons of the study region in Ecuador (rainy season and dry season). A randomized complete block design was used for the experiment, with three repetitions and three treatments. Agronomic measures, forage production, chemical composition, animal responses, and soil properties were evaluated. Data were analyzed with the Mixed model of SAS. Differences in all evaluated parameters were observed between treatments, and silvopastoral systems (SPSs) produced better results than conventional grass monoculture. Furthermore, there was a strong seasonal effect on forage production, chemical composition, and soil properties. Therefore, management of Panicum maximum with well-planned grazing can enhance animal responses and help to retain natural resources, lowering the pressure on forests.

A study was conducted at the Escuela Superior Politècnica de Chimborazo, Ecuador, to evaluate the influence of litter size of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) on their development and to establish the economic profitability of the production system. Forty-eight animals were used, distributed into litters of two, three, and four rodents per litter, with a balanced diet and green fresh alfalfa for the weaning, growth, and fattening stage, the rodents and litters were randomly selected, applying the statistical model completely randomly and evaluating different variables across 120 days. The litters of three guinea pigs obtained the best productive responses and economic profitability. With respect to sex, the males presented better productive behavior, greater economic increase, and less cost, evidencing that mixed feeding influences the number of guinea pigs per birth in terms of growth and development. The results serve to improve guinea pig meat production for the rural population.

ResumenEste trabajo permitió identificar y caracterizar la estructura, función, así como el uso de tecnología de los sistemas ganaderos, sobre las dinámicas espaciales, socioeconómicas y ambientales en las cuales se desarrolla la ganadería en el Valle del Quijos (Ecuador). La metodología se basó en la exploración bibliográfica y el trabajo de campo por medio de observación y encuestas aplicadas en 70 fincas de la región. Como resultado del análisis estadístico, se caracterizó la existencia de cuatro tipologías ganaderas; G1 sin uso de tecnología, G2 poco uso de tecnología, G3 semitecnificadas, G4 tecnificadas. En las tres primeras (93.17 % del total), el componente boscoso cubre un porcentaje muy alto en relación con el tamaño de las fincas, encontrando en estos grupos sistemas silvopastoriles (SSP) en altas densidades de árboles por hectárea bajo arreglos espaciales como cercas vivas y dispersos en potreros. Igualmente tenemos varios biotipos bovinos, en donde para las primeras tipologías ganaderas G1, G2 y G3, predominan animales mestizos de razas (Brown Swiss, Holstein, Normando) con orientación productiva doble propósito (carne y leche); la composición del hato muestra una distribución atípica en las dos primeras tipologías, al no existir equilibrio de acuerdo con cada categoría bovina, afectando así la productividad. Mientras tanto en el grupo de alto uso de tecnología, se tienen bovinos de razas de producción de leche puras o en cruces (Jersey, Holstein). Se concluye que existe una amplia 280 divergencia entre los sistemas ganaderos identificados y caracterizados en el Valle del Quijos y que, a medida que se ha ganado en intensificación, se ha perdido en conservación. AbstractThis paper focuses on identifying and characterizing the structure, function, as well as the use of technology of the livestock systems on the spatial, socioeconomic, and environmental dynamics in which livestock is developed in the Quijos Valley (Ecuador). The methodology was based on bibliographic exploration and fieldwork through observation and surveys applied in 70 farms in the region. As a result of the statistical analysis, the existence of four livestock typologies was characterized; G1 without the use of technology, G2 little use of technology, G3 semi-technified, G4 technified. In the first three (93.17% of the total), the forest component covers a very high percentage in relation to the size of the farms. In these groups, it shows silvopastoral systems (SSP) in high densities of trees per hectare under spatial arrangements such as live fences and scattered paddocks. We also have several bovine biotypes. For the first livestock typologies G1, G2 and G3, mestizo breed animals (Brown Swiss, Holstein, Norman) predominate with dual

This paper focuses on determining the perception and characterization of the pastures in the farms of livestock producers and researchers in the Canton Sachas and Francisco Orellana, Province of Orellana, Ecuador. Their objective was to understand the use and management of Amazonian tropical pastures. Seventeen cattle farms of 8 communities were characterized to observe the characterization of the farmers, land use, use of forage banks, pasture management, and bovine cattle housing. A semi-structured interview was designed to collect primary information about the problem under investigation. When characterizing the farmers in relation to land use, before 47.5% of the producers were engaged in agriculture, today 85.9% carry out livestock work with silvopastoral practices. Only 14.1% were dedicated to agriculture and the production of coffee and cocoa. Regarding the use of feed banks, 35.29% have more food for their animals, while 5.88% have better environmental conditions. In addition, 77.6% of the farmers mentioned that they have improved their production with the use of the feed bank. In conclusion, the results indicate that small and medium producers can benefit from silvopastoral systems as an alternative to improve production and not affect the environment.

This paper focuses on analyzing the level of implementation of silvopastoral options as part of livestock production systems in Joya de los Sachas, Orellana, Ecuador. The attitudes of producers about the silvopastoral systems and the factors that influence the decisions and actions related to the use of this type of production systems were explored. The research shows that the producers’ decision-making process can be explained through the analysis of natural resource management problems. This was performed based on a theoretical framework of complex systems and classical institutional economics. In this research, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in data collection and analysis. All the producers in the sample have positive attitudes toward the implementation of silvopastoral systems, which is proven by the existence of at least one silvopastoral option in their production systems. However, the levels of implementation show great variation among producers. The decisions of producers are explained by a combination of factors. In order to promote the implementation of this technology, it is important to have a dialogue with producers and understand their motivations. No biophysical factors were observed that seem to limit the level of implementation. This fact makes the potential of diversified silvopastoral systems very promising in livestock farms.