Integrating Silvopastoralism and Biodiversity Conservation

Abstract

Silvopastoral systems reflect some aspects of multifunctionality­ of European forests. Sylvopastoral systems combine timber production with pastoral activities and associated animal products while concurrently preserving different aspects of biodiversity that has been reduced in Europe in the last century. For the first time within EU policy, the Council Regulation to support rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) within the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), supports the establishment of agroforestry systems by farmers. Silvopastoral system implementation could provide productive, social and environmental benefits. Keeping extensive livestock is an integrated and environmental-friendly land use system, as it requires minimum infrastructures and buildings that would not degrade the landscape and it mostly uses natural resources for the alimentation of the livestock. This article starts with a review of the history of silvopastoral systems, then focusing on their benefits, particularly concerning biodiversity. The rule of silvopastoral systems on the establishment of heterogeneous micro-environment, forest-agricultural land corridor creation and forest fire prevention are discussed, as well as, the importance of silvopastoralism in the conservation of indigenous domestic breeds, half of which are considered to be at risk of extinction. Finally, the article places silvopastoralism within a policy context and considers the potential impact of the management of these systems.