Interdisciplinary Integration of Silvopasture among Livestock Grazing Systems as a Strategy for Natural Resource Management

For centuries, animal and natural resource management have maintained a balance of ecological sustainability and provisioning basic needs for human survival. Over time, civilizations evolved through the rise of agriculture, migration and trade, and technological advancements influencing land use change and natural resource management. However, land use decisions to meet the growing demands of society have contributed to modern issues, including climate change, natural resource depletion, landscape homogenization, fragmentation, and environmental degradation. To date, these issues are hindering agricultural communities’ capacity in adapting to threats and maintaining a balance between ecological sustainability and productivity. This research incorporated qualitative and quantitative research methods aimed at assessing current livestock and resource management practices vulnerable to stressors, threatening sustainability of livestock systems and natural resources. Furthermore, this research focuses on evaluating avenues towards the integration of silvopasture within livestock systems to build adaptation and resilience within livestock production and natural resource management.

A qualitative case study was conducted internationally to understand the stressors impacting pastoral and agricultural communities, and the potential for silvopasture components to aid in adaptation and resilience among commons resource management (Chapter 2). This study showed majority of communities were engaged in herding and farming activities, which were impacted by stressors causing constraints on commons resources and ensuing conflict between herders and farmers. Chapter 3 explored current livestock and forest management practices among Missouri livestock producers, assessing producers’ perceptions and interests in the practice of silvopasture within livestock operations. Missouri livestock producers reported engaging in some level of livestock grazing and forest management practices, though gaps in understanding of practice and barriers hindered implementation of silvopasture. Chapter 4 examined using livestock for native landscape restoration by managing the invasive species Sericea lespedeza. This study showed that goats grazing has the capacity to impact the relative abundance of some vegetation classes following an initial grazing season. Grazing sericea lespedeza also showed benefits of parasitic control. These studies indicated interest in and applicability of silvopasture, demonstrating the opportunity to integrate the practice within livestock systems to enhance capacity for adapting to threats, conserving, and managing natural resources, restoring landscapes and gaining resilience.