Designing Silvopastoral Systems: A Simulation Model Approach

Abstract

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) can be analyzed as the differential evolution of forage, forest biomass, and livestock production that takes place under the canopy, in a temporal trajectory. SPS integrate cycles such as annual forage production, cattle fattening and medium to long-term forest development. The components’ interactions vary according to spatial arrangement, forest specie, animal category and stocking rate. Despite the importance, there is a lack of adapted tools that allow simulate them over a period, combining pasture-based meat and wood production. This research develops a computer tool called SimForGan, which is used for simulating forage and wood production, safe stocking rates, and economic performance in livestock and forestry systems. The tool is written in the .Net programming language and supports different database managers. It has been verified against a case study and other independent models for livestock and forestry. It considers environmental factors such as seasonal variations, thermal stress and solar radiation, which interact with the system components. The model allows projecting the forage intake and forage balance, considering the forest component and its effect on cattle. The system generates two main results, wood and meat production, influenced by the interactions between various components. This study allows us to elucidate the evolution of productive and economic variables over time, which can help decision-makers to plan Silvopastoral Systems at cattle ranchs. This archetype is also a conceptual representation of a generic Silvopastoral System, serving as a tool for the planning of medium and long time projections of these kinds of systems.