Enrichment of silvopastoral systems with seedlings of native savannah species

Abstract

Silvopastoral systems have greater biodiversity and provide more environmental services than
conventional cattle ranching systems. The goal of this work was to evaluate the establishment
of seedlings of fruit trees species of the Cerrado in silvopastoral systems managed by traditional
farmers of northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Of the 760 seedlings planted in 3 newly formed
silvopastoral systems, 39.4% survived after 2 years. The species with the highest survival were
Dipteryx alata (65.5%), Eugenia dysenterica (45.7%) and Anacardium occidentale (43.0%).
The enrichment of silvopastoral systems provides social, economic and ecological benefits,
but there are still many challenges to be overcome.