The Silvopastoral Systems in Latin America: A Systematic Review of Productive, Environmental Impacts and Adoption Factors in Sustainable Livestock Production
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Abstract
Livestock production supports food security, employment, and rural development in Latin America, while conventional extensive grazing systems can contribute to soil degradation, biodiversity loss, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Silvopastoral systems (SPS), which integrate trees, shrubs, forage species, and livestock, offer an approach to addressing these environmental pressures alongside production objectives. This study aimed to examine the evolution of SPS research, productive performance, environmental contributions, and sociotechnical factors influencing adoption in Latin America. A systematic literature review with qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted using scientific publications indexed in academic databases and published between 2014 and 2025. The synthesis examined reported productive and environmental outcomes alongside the economic, institutional, and cultural conditions shaping implementation. The reviewed studies reported improvements in forage quality, animal nutrition, productive efficiency, animal welfare, and soil fertility. Environmental benefits included biodiversity conservation and contributions to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The literature also showed a shift from predominantly ecological and productive assessments toward broader sociotechnical perspectives incorporating institutional arrangements, economic conditions, and cultural practices. Despite these documented benefits, adoption remained constrained by limited access to financing, inadequate technical assistance, weak public policies, and reluctance to modify established production practices. These findings highlight the importance of connecting technical knowledge with the conditions under which producers make management decisions. The review concludes that scaling SPS requires coordination among producers, researchers, institutions, and policymakers, supported by accessible financing, sustained technical assistance, and effective public policies. By integrating evidence on production, environmental outcomes, and adoption, the study provides a basis for designing strategies responsive to local conditions and advancing sustainable livestock production across Latin America.
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