Influence of native or exotic trees on soil fertility in decades of silvopastoral system at the Brazilian savannah biome

Silvopastoral systems (SPSs) are considered a conservationist system by combining forestry species cultivation with domesticated grazing animals, intercropping trees, and pasture in the same area. SPSs are noun for its contribution to improve soil chemical and physical properties, enhance grass nutritional status, provide healthier animal environment, and increase farmers’ options to maximize the use of land. In soil degraded areas, such as those found in Brazilian savannah biome (BSB), the SPSs constitute an alternative to soil recuperation in these areas. Therefore, our aim was to assess soil fertility attributes at different depths on a BSB grown with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu grass, the influence of SPS with native tree zeyheria (Zeyheria tuberculosa) settled in 1984, or with the exotic eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) settled in 1994. The soil water pH, P, Ca, Mg, and K contents, as well as soil base sum and saturation, were found superior mostly at the top layer (0–2 cm) of the eucalyptus site, than for the ipê-felpudo site. This response was correlated to greater soil organic matter and carbon at the eucalyptus site, which demonstrated to have high nutrient cycling rates. Around 50 % of the CEC in both SPSs was occupied by bases, demonstrating that the areas have large potential to absorb applied nutrients. The SPSs have no significant impact on S-SO₄ ^2? or micronutrient availability. The litter composition in eucalyptus site was accountable for the superior results of this SPS, which has shown as a promising choice for land use and conservation in the BSB.     

Limits to recruitment of tall fescue plants in poplar silvopastoral systems of the Pampas,Argentina

Forage production in silvopastoral systems of the Flooding Pampa is based on cool season grasses with a relatively asynchronous phenology regarding their accompanying deciduous trees. However, the productivity of cool season grasses in these systems is usually low. The hypothesis of this work is that the low productivity of cool season grasses is caused by tree litter constraining plant recruitment. Emergence and establishment (reproductive propagation), and tillering (vegetative propagation) patterns of tall fescue, a cool season grass in the region, were studied in two pairs of adjacent non-afforested and afforested poplar stands (tree age 26–28 years, tree density 453–797 plants ha⁻¹). Observational and manipulative (i.e. addition of seeds, leaf litter removal) experiments indicated that the recruitment of tall fescue plants is strongly limited by the fall of poplar leaves over emerged seedlings, during autumn. Results suggest that any management practice capable of removing poplar litter, either through grazing or machinery, could neutralize this limitation enhancing the herbaceous primary production of the system.     

Managing native and non-native plants in agroforestry systems

Indigenous knowledge has influenced native species selection in agroforestry systems worldwide. However, scientific advancements in plant sciences, agroforestry technologies and trade have accelerated species movements and establishment beyond their native range. Managing native and non-native species is an important area of research in agroforestry and this thematic issue includes 13 papers that cover a range of topics from the role of non-native species in agroforestry to management interventions to improve yield. As evident from these papers, non-native plants are still an important component of agroforestry in many parts of the world. Whether native or non-native, management interventions can increase the economic, environmental and social values of these species and that of agroforestry. Collectively, these papers attest to the increasing body of foundational knowledge in agroforestry.     

Growth characteristics of some native tree species used in silvopastoral systems in the humid lowlands of Costa Rica

Research for developing silvopastoral systems includes tree species selection and management, and interactions of trees with pastures. In the Caribbean humid lowlands of Costa Rica, total height, diameters at breast height (DBH), survival, basal area and bole volume were compared among three plantations with four species each, in pure stands as well as in the mixture of the four species. In Plantation 1, at 86 months old the pure plantations of Jacaranda copaia and Vochysia guatemalensis, and the mixed plantations (Jacaranda copaia + Vochysia guatemalensis + Calophyllum brasiliense + Stryphnodendron microstachyum) had the largest DBH. Vochysia guatemalensis is one of the most preferred species in the region for reforestation of degraded pastures, while Jacaranda copaia is not preferred because it has low local economic value. In Plantation 2, at 81 months, the greatest DBH was found in Virola koschnyi, Terminalia amazonia and the mixed plantations (Virola koschnyi + Terminalia amazonia + Dipteryx panamensis + Pseudosamanea guachapele). Dipteryx panamensis has good economic value and has a relatively open canopy that produces moderate shade. Virola koschnyi and Terminalia amazonia have denser canopies, are preferred by farmers, and they could be planted in low density in silvopastoral systems. In Plantation 3, at 70 months, the greatest DBH was found in Vochysia ferruginea, Hieronyma alchorneoides and the mixed plantation (Vochysia ferruginea + Hieronyma alchorneoides + Genipa americana + Balizia elegans). Most of these species are currently used in silvopastoral systems in the region. Mixed plantations may combine beneficial effects of the different species' characteristics, with the additional advantage of product diversification. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Bioamelioration of a sodic soil by silvopastoral systems in northwestern India

In sodic soils, excessive amounts of salts have an adverse effect on soil biological activity and stability of soil organic matter. The study analyzes the role of silvopastoral systems to improve soil organic matter and microbial activity with a view for effective management of soil fertility. The silvopastoral systems for the present study (located at Saraswati Reserved Forest, Kurukshetra; 29°4′ to 30°15′ N and 75°15′ to 77°16prime; E) are characterized by tree species of Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo and Prosopis juliflora along with grass species of Desmostachya bipinnata and Sporobolus marginatus. Soil microbial biomass carbon was measured using the fumigation extraction technique and nitrogen mineralization rates using aerobic incubation method. The microbial biomass carbon in the soils of D. bipinnata and S. marginatus treatments were low. In silvopastoral systems, microbial biomass carbon increased due to increase in the carbon content in the soil – plant system. A significant relationship was found between microbial biomass carbon and plant biomass carbon (r = 0.83) as well as the flux of carbon in net primary productivity (r = 0.92). Nitrogen mineralization rates were found greater in silvopastoral systems compared to 'grass-only' system. Soil organic matter was linearly related to microbial biomass carbon, soil N and nitrogen mineralization rates (r = 0.95 to 0.98, p < 0.01). On the basis of improvement in soil organic matter, enlarged soil microbial biomass pool and greater soil N availability in the tree + grass systems, agroforestry could be adopted for improving the fertility of highly sodic soil. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon storage and nitrogen cycling in silvopastoral systems on a sodic in northwestern India

Tree-based land-use systems could sequester carbon in soil and vegetation and improve nutrient cycling within the systems. The present investigation was aimed at analyzing the role of tree and grass species on biomass productivity, carbon sequestration and nitrogen cycling in silvopastoral systems in a highly sodic soil. The silvopastoral systems (located at Saraswati Reserved Forest, Kurukshetra, 29°4prime; to 30°15prime; N and 75°15prime; to 77°16prime; E) consisted of about six-year-old-tree species of Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo and Prosopis juliflora in the mainplots of a split-plot experiment with two species of grasses, Desmostachya bipinnata and Sporobolus marginatus, in the subplots. The total carbon storage in the trees + grass systems was 1.18 to 18.55 Mg C ha⁻¹ and carbon input in net primary production varied between 0.98 to 6.50 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Carbon flux in net primary productivity increased significantly due to integration of Prosopis and Dalbergia with grasses. Compared to 'grass-only' systems, soil organic matter, biological productivity and carbon storage were greater in the silvopastoral systems. Of the total nitrogen uptake by the plants, 4 to 21 per cent was retained in the perennial tree components. Nitrogen cycling in the soil-plant system was found to be efficient. Thus, It is suggested that the silvopastoral systems, integrating trees and grasses hold promise as a strategy for improving highly sodic soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparing silvopastoral systems and prospects in eight regions of the world

Silvopasture systems combine trees, forage, and livestock in a variety of different species and management regimes, depending on the biophysical, economic, cultural, and market factors in a region. We describe and compare actual farm practices and current research trials of silvopastoral systems in eight regions within seven countries of the world: Misiones and Corrientes provinces, Argentina; La Pampa province, Argentina; northwestern Minas Gerais, Brazil; the Aysén region of Patagonia, Chile; the North Island of New Zealand; the Southeast United States; Paraguay; and Uruguay. Some countries use native trees and existing forests; some use plantations, particularly of exotic species. Natural forest silvopasture systems generally add livestock in extensive systems, to capture the benefits of shade, forage, and income diversification without much added inputs. Plantation forest systems are more purposive and intensive, with more focus on joint production and profits, for small owners, large ranches, and timber companies. Trends suggest that more active management of both natural and planted silvopastoral systems will be required to enhance joint production of timber and livestock, achieve income diversification and reduce financial risk, make more profit, improve environmental benefits, and realize more resilience to adapt to climate change.     

Developing silvopastoral systems and their effects on diversity of fauna

Silvopastoral systems, where stock graze between widely spaced trees, are a viable land use option in the British Isles. An experiment (the National Network Silvopastoral Experiment—NNE) was set up at 6 sites in the late 1980s to quantify outputs from and to study the ecological interactions occurring between components of the system. Studies were carried out on the effect of developing silvopastoral systems on certain invertebrate groups, including carabid beetles and spiders and on the number of individuals and species of birds. The common protocols adopted across sites enable broad conclusions on the impact of such systems on wildlife to be made. The presence of trees on grassland attracted invertebrates of epigeal groups which may have provided an enhanced food supply which attracted birds. Spiders responded more rapidly after planting of the silvopastoral systems than did carabid beetles. It was concluded that, even at this early stage, silvopastoral systems have an impact on birds: birds normally associated with woodland are being attracted to silvopasture along with birds normally found in open fields, although there are problems in the scale of evaluation in the assessment of impact. However, it has been shown that even relatively recently established silvopastoral systems can significantly enhance biodiversity.     

Characterization of multistrata silvopastoral systems on seasonally dry pastures in the Caribbean Region of Colombia

Latin American pastures usually include trees that may be important in sustaining productivity and conserving resources and biodiversity. A participatory survey of trees in seasonally dry pastures of 54 farms in the Caribbean region of Colombia, followed by cluster and correlation analyses, revealed a multistrata configuration. Trees of large stature (e.g., Tabebuia rosea, Albizia caribaea and Sterculia apelata) provided shade and produced timber. The most important fodder trees were those of medium stature (Albizia saman, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Cassia grandis) that produced fruits or pods, while other species were managed as shrubs producing green leaf fodder (e.g., Crescentia cujete and Gliricidia sepium, which was also ubiquitous as living fence posts). Trees were present on between 26 and 69% of the pastures on each farm, at densities varying from less than 3 to more than 50 trees ha⁻¹. There were more trees in drier areas, of lower fertility, with extensive grazing, where milk as well as meat was produced. Most farmers planted timber trees, encouraged regeneration of fodder trees, and knew about fodder species preferences of cattle and the effects of trees on pasture and animal productivity. Their knowledge of tree phenology was less certain and varied even amongst farmers in similar locations. There is scope to develop silvopastoral systems with woody species familiar to farmers, but it is critical to determine how important different vegetation strata are for sustainability of cattle production. An experiment has been established to achieve this, with treatments based on an analysis of how trees are presently used on farms in the region. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An evaluation of silvopastoral systems in pine plantations in the Central Highlands of Ecuador

One of the most serious problems facing Andean nations today is population growth and the resultant pressures placed on limited natural resources. Currently,thousands of hectares of pine plantations in the central highlands of Ecuador are left unmanaged and unutilized, while at the same time local agriculturalists lack grazing land,firewood and other basic necessities which could be provided by appropriate forest management. This paper evaluates ten pine plantations in central Ecuador for their potential as silvopastoral systems, and discusses the possibilities of integrating local farmers into the appropriate management and use of them.

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Resúmen Uno de los problemas mas graves afrontando a los paises Andinos es el crecimiento de la población y las presiones que resultan sobre los recursos naturales. Al momento, miles de hectáreas de plantaciones de pino en la Sierra central del Ecuador se quedan sin que nadie les maneje ni les utilize; mientras tanto los agricultores cercanos sufren por falta de pastoreo, leña y otras necesidades que se podría conseguir a través del manejo forestal. Este documento examine diez rodales de pino en el Ecuador por su potencial como sistemas silvopastoriles, y discute las posibilidades de integrar agricultores pequeños dentro del manejo y uso apropriado de ellos.

     

Incorporating indigenous knowledge of fodder trees into small-scale silvopastoral systems in Jamaica

A study was conducted to identify and explore indigenous knowledge relating to fodder trees and silvopastoral management systems of small-scale farmers in seasonally dry areas of Jamaica. The objectives of the study were to: 1) explore farmers indigenous knowledge relating to fodder trees and silvopastoral management systems in a subtropical dry climate; 2) examine pastoral land-use systems and technologies in current use; and 3) seek to integrate this information into silvopastoral tree fodder systems. Data were gathered via observation and semistructured interviewing. A snowball sampling strategy was used to purposively select all small-scale farmers who had cattle in the Green Park valley for interview.Of forty farmers interviewed, 37 males (92.5%) and 3 females (7.5%) were primary caretakers of cattle. Twenty-seven of 40 farmers (68%) raised cattle to generate income. During extended droughts farmers are forced to look for alternatives to desiccated, overgrazed pasture grasses, including: 1) local travel to harvest sugar cane tops and to cut Guinea grass (Panicum maximum); 2) purchase of bag feed; and 3) harvest and use of tree fodder. Preferred fodder trees were identified as Bacedar (Guazama ulmifolia), Guango (Albizia saman), Breadnut (Brosimum alicastrum) and Quickstick (Gliricidia sepium).Recommended silvopastoral management systems include fodder hedgerows, three strata forage systems, and living fences. In addition, production of indigenous fodder tree species, introducing improved tree fodder species, and planting improved pasture grasses concurrent with cash trees is suggested.     

Determinants of grassland primary production in seasonally-dry silvopastoral systems in Central America

Grassland primary productivity is the function that underpins the majority of the fodder production in cattle-rearing silvopastoral farms. Hence, understanding the factors that determine grassland productivity is critical for the design and management of silvpastoral systems. We studied the effect of two factors with documented impact on grassland productivity in seasonally dry silvopastures of Nicaragua, rainfall and trees. We assessed the effects of three species that differed in crown size and phenology, one evergreen, Cassia grandis, and two deciduous species, Guazuma ulmifolia and Tabebuia rosea. Overall, grassland ANPP had a quadratic response to rainfall, with a decline at high rainfall that coincided with peak standing biomass and grassland cover. Trees had a predominately negative effect on grassland productivity, and the effect was concentrated in the rainy season at peak productivity. The effect of the trees corresponded with the tree crown area, but not with crown density. Trees reduced the standing biomass of graminoids and increased forb biomass; thus, the effect of trees on grassland ANPP appears in part to respond to changes in grassland composition. We also found higher levels of soil moisture content below the tree canopy, particularly at the peak of the rainy season when soils tend to become waterlogged. The evergreen species, C. grandis, affected grassland ANPP more strongly than the deciduous species.     

Prognosis of aboveground woody biomass in a central Brazilian Cerrado monitored for 27 years after the implementation of management systems

Accurate estimation of biomass in natural vegetation sites remains a challenge. Modeling biomass growth and production in Cerrado areas is crucial to understanding the vegetation succession process, especially regarding the changes in biomass accumulation over time. Thus, our objective was to model the growth and production of woody aboveground biomass (living and total) in a cerrado stricto sensu monitored for 27 years after implementing management systems. As expected, the basal area (with a diameter taken at 30 cm from the ground level) is the most important predictor variable and showed a higher correlation with the biomass stocks and allowed accurate and consistent estimates of these accumulated stocks over time. Future estimates of biomass production, generated from growth models that estimate production as a function of parameters observed at previous ages, indicate that maximum stocks of living (25.86?±?0.15 Mg ha^?1 [mean?±?standard deviation]) and total aboveground biomass (26.11?±?0.15 Mg ha^?1) are expected for a period between 28 and 30 years after the implementation of the management systems, with maximum mean annual increment between 23 and 27 years. Furthermore, the systems of equations obtained simulated reductions up to 30% of biomass after the occurrence of a forest fire at 23 years. Thus, our study can be useful for the decision-making process and developing public policies and strategies for managing and conserving natural resources in the Cerrado biome.

     

Enrichment planting of native species for biodiversity conservation in a logged tree plantation in Vietnam

Decades of deforestation and over logging have created large expanses of degraded lands in many countries including Vietnam. Reforestation may offer one means of mitigating these processes of degradation while sustaining biodiversity conservation. However a lack of information regarding trees, in particular threatened tree species has been identified as an important limitation in being able to reforest for biodiversity conservation. In the current study, conducted in the Tan Phu “protection forest”, the investigation surrounds the feasibility of biodiversity restoration in a fast-growing plantation after logging. Twelve threatened and native species mainly belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae and Fabaceae families have been considered. Seedlings grown in a local nursery have been planted under the canopy of a 50 ha pioneer forest, with a distance of 5 m between plants and between rows. The experimental design consists of blocks, each one with a replication of a 16-tree plot for each species. Four years after plantation, the survival rate of seedlings is high (>70 %), except for Dipterocarpus costatus (<10 %). Growth shows possible inhibitions under a closed canopy but the mean annual increment is generally satisfactory. The early performance of the seedlings is promising to make this plantation a good example of biodiversity restoration. These results could enhance the reforestation efforts of forest managers and encourage them to use native tree species including threatened ones in order to restore a high level of biodiversity in tropical degraded forests.     

The farming system and traditional agroforestry systems in the Maya community of San Jose, Belize

Shifting slash-and-burn agriculture is likely one of the main causes of forest degradation in southern Belize. Although many development projects have attempted to reduce the impacts of agriculture on the tropical rainforest, the situation is still a cause for concern. A study of the farming system of the San Jose Maya community was therefore carried out to examine agricultural production in its social, cultural, economic, and political context. Results demonstrate that agricultural production contributes to forest degradation because of the limited availability of agricultural land, the low level of investment in agricultural production, the land tenure system, limited marketing opportunities, and the exclusion of Mayas from the country's political and economic domains. Agroforestry could, however, offer a partial solution to the problem of forest degradation. Three types of traditional agroforestry systems are practised in San Jose: the milpa (a slash-and-burn agriculture system), cacao (Theobroma cacao) cultivation under shade trees, and the homegarden. These traditional agroforestry systems almost entirely meet a family's needs for food and wood, and generate at least 62% of family income. Improving the productivity of these systems could help to reduce pressure on the forest in southern Belize.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Local and systemic control of powdery mildew in eucalyptus using essential oils and decoctions from traditional Brazilian medicinal plants

Eucalyptus plants cultivated in greenhouses, nurseries and clonal minigardens are vulnerable to attack of Oidium eucalypti (powdery mildew). Essential oils and decoctions prepared from the traditional Brazilian medicinal plants Aloysia gratissima, Cordia verbenacea and Hyptis marrubioides have been shown to be effective in the control of some plant diseases. In this study, the local and systemic effects of these preparations in the control of O. eucalypti were evaluated by assessing the progress of the disease in saplings of a highly susceptible hybrid population of eucalyptus (‘urocam’). The systemic effects were also assessed by investigating the ability of the preparations to induce disease resistance, as indicated by increased peroxidase activity. The natural products were found to be as effective as a commercial fungicide (mixture of pyraclostrobin and epoxiconazole) for the control of O. eucalypti in eucalyptus plants under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, the essential oil and decoction of A. gratissima were able to exert systemic control over O. eucalypti and induce peroxidase activity in Oidium‐inoculated plants. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the oils and decoctions from the three species exhibited direct fungitoxic activities on O. eucalypti as shown by lysis of hyphal walls and shrinking of conidia. The results presented herein suggest that oils and decoctions from A. gratissima, C. verbenacea and H. marrubioides may offer an effective, practical and ecofriendly strategy for the control of O. eucalypti in eucalyptus.     

Developing a canopy closure model to predict overstorey/understorey relationships in Pinus radiata silvopastoral systems

Silvopastoral models require the development of the relationship between understorey pasture production, and the overstorey tree production. The Tikitere agroforestry trial, located near Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty, was established in Pinus radiata at a range of stockings in 1973, and monitored for stand parameters, understorey pasture production, and livestock carrying capacity between 1976 and 1992. A canopy closure model, developed for radiata pine plantations in the Bay of Plenty, shows a strong relationship (R2 ≈ 0.92) between canopy closure and the stand parameters of basal area and the ratio of green crown length to mean top height. Canopy closure was predicted for the Tikitere stands using the canopy closure model. A strong linear relationship (R2 ≈ 0.89) was shown to exist between the measured pasture production, and the predicted canopy closure. This indicates that direct assessment of canopy closure combined with a measurement of understorey pasture production, may be a simpler and more cost effective research technique than relying entirely on the continuous measurement of understorey pasture in the development of understorey/overstorey relationships. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Medicinal plants popularly used in the Brazilian Tropical Atlantic Forest

A survey of medicinal plants used by rural and urban inhabitants of the three cities of the Tropical Atlantic Forest, Region of Vale do Ribeira, State of S?o Paulo, Brazil was performed by means of 200 interviews with medicinal plant users and extractors and, traditional healers. One hundred fourteen herbal remedies were recorded and the following information reported: Latin, vernacular and English names, plant part used, forms of preparation and application of the herbal remedies, medicinal or food uses, areas of plant collection, economic importance (when available) and other data.     

不同植被恢复模式对生物多样性及土壤有机质的影响

在陶瓷工业集中重酸污染区,设计不同空间配置格局"乔灌草、灌草、草本"三种植被恢复模式,研究分析不同植被恢复模式对提高生物多样性和改良土壤有机质的效应,试验结果表明,乔木、灌木和草本植物的合理配置格局,无论在增加地被覆盖、促进土壤动物类群的发展,还是在改善土壤质量方面都优于灌木-草本群落和草本群落。