Silvopastoral system for resilience of key soil health indicators in semi-arid environment

Ramakrishnan, S.; Kumar, Sunil; Chaudhary, Manoj; Govindasamy, Prabhu; Yadav, Maniksha; Prasad, Mahendra; Srivastava, Richa; Kumari, Bandana; Prajapati, Kalpana

doi:10.1080/03650340.2020.1814954

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…SPS can confer greater stability by providing habitat for a diversity of species that occupy similar functional niches (functional redundancy) (38) or that are functionally similar, but respond differentially to environmental change (response diversity) (39). Although not tested here, previous empirical evidence indicates that greater community stability in SPS would lead to a more stable provision of ecosystem services such as food production, carbon sequestration, and soil fertility (40)(41)(42).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Global meta-analysis reveals overall benefits of silvopastoral systems for biodiversity

Perez-Alvarez,

Chará,

Snyder

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Domestic livestock grazing accounts for roughly one quarter of the world's terrestrial surface and is a leading driver of biodiversity loss. Yet, it also provides a critical livelihood for nearly one billion smallholder farmers, creating a paradox that highlights the need for conservation strategies to balance human and ecological needs. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) integrate trees with livestock pastures, offering a promising solution to boost livestock productivity while safeguarding natural areas and biodiversity. However, evidence for the biodiversity benefits provided by SPS is limited to studies focusing on specific geographic regions or taxa. Through a global meta-analysis of 45 studies spanning 15 countries, four biogeographic regions, and seven taxa, we provide the first quantitative synthesis evaluating how SPS affect biodiversity and community stability relative to treeless pastures and natural forests. Overall, we show that SPS harbor higher levels of biodiversity (i.e., richness, abundance, and diversity) and stability than treeless pastures, and perform comparably to nearby forests. However, variations exist across regions and taxa, with the strongest positive responses in tropical dry regions and for low-mobility taxa like invertebrates and plants. Mammals, birds, and soil microorganisms, on the other hand, showed no significant biodiversity differences between treeless pastures and SPS. Thus, integrating SPS and protected areas as complementary components of a multifunctional landscape will be key to halting multi-taxa biodiversity loss and building sustainable livestock systems. Our findings support the conservation potential of SPS, while underscoring the need for strategic implementation to maximize benefits for biodiversity conservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Global meta-analysis reveals overall benefits of silvopastoral systems for biodiversity

Perez-Alvarez,

Chará,

Snyder

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Moreover, Mitchell (2010) and other related topics. Similar efforts have been made regarding addressing the relationship between silvopastoralism and biodiversity (Rois-Díaz, et al, 2006), soil health (Ramakrishnan et al, 2020) and other sustainability criteria. The difficulties of obtaining sound data (whether addressing land use in SPS or the lack of integration of forests and rangelands) have prevented the appearance of a standardized indicator-based assessment methodology of silvopastoral land management.…”

Section: Conceptual Framework Of Silvopastoral Systemsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Grazing with trees

2022

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The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.

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“…Root biomass is usually considered a key source of C inputs to the soil and is converted to soil organic C by microbial activity; although root biomass is assumed to be greater in silvopasture treatments, it was not measured in this study. Ramakrishnan et al (2020) reported 15-61% greater MBC in a bael (Aegle marmelos) silvopasture system compared to monoculture pasture consisting of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Caribbean stylo (Stylosanthes hamata), and Caatinga stylo (Stylosanthes seabrana). Similarly, Haile et al (2008) reported 28-33% greater total soil organic C content in slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and bahiagrass-(Paspalum notatum) based silvopastures than in bahiagrass pastures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conversion of open pasture to hardwood silvopasture enhanced soil health of an ultisol

et al. 2022

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glomalin-related soil protein, soil enzymatic activities, and microbial community structure. The soil OM content in HSP (64 g kg −1 ) was greater (p < 0.05) than BSP and OP (55 g kg −1 ). The BSP soils had about 45% and 52% more (p < 0.05) microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen than OP soils. The HSP soils had 60% greater (p < 0.05) microbial biomass nitrogen than OP soils. The BSP supported greater (p < 0.05) β-glucosidase and urease activities than the HSP and OP treatments, while greater (p < 0.05) β-glucosidase activity was measured in HSP than OP. Total phospholipid-derived fatty acid and actinomycetes abundance were greater (p < 0.001) in OP compared to BSP and HSP while the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi abundance was greater (p < 0.05) in OP than in HSP. These findings indicate that black walnut and honeylocust trees in the silvopastures with proper management can improve certain soil health parameters over time depending on tree characteristics and the age of the system.

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Silvopastoral system for resilience of key soil health indicators in semi-arid environment

Cited by 13 publications

References 45 publications

Global meta-analysis reveals overall benefits of silvopastoral systems for biodiversity

Global meta-analysis reveals overall benefits of silvopastoral systems for biodiversity

Grazing with trees

Conversion of open pasture to hardwood silvopasture enhanced soil health of an ultisol

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