Silvopastoral Systems as a Sustainable Strategy for Tropical Livestock Production in Central America: A Systematic Literature Review
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Abstract
Silvopastoral systems (SPS) integrate trees, shrubs, forage species, and grazing animals within the same production unit, offering an approach to sustainable livestock production in tropical regions. In Central America, conventional grazing systems have contributed to deforestation, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and vulnerability to climate change. This study aimed to systematically review scientific evidence on SPS in Central America, focusing on productive performance, environmental benefits, climate change mitigation and adaptation, animal welfare, and implementation challenges. The review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Scientific articles published between 2014 and 2025 were identified through searches of Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SciELO, Redalyc, Dialnet, Latindex, and EBSCOhost. Studies meeting predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were qualitatively synthesized according to productive, environmental, and socioeconomic dimensions. The reviewed studies reported improvements in forage quality, animal nutrition, productive efficiency, and animal welfare. Environmental contributions included enhanced soil fertility, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, water regulation, and ecosystem resilience. The evidence also indicated that SPS can strengthen the adaptive capacity of livestock production systems under climate variability, supporting their relevance to tropical agricultural contexts. However, adoption remained constrained by limited access to technical assistance, financial resources, and institutional support. These barriers highlight the importance of considering implementation conditions alongside the productive and ecological benefits of integrating woody vegetation into grazing systems. Overall, the synthesis supports the potential of SPS to combine livestock productivity with natural resource conservation and climate resilience in Central America. Expanding their implementation requires accessible financing, sustained technical assistance, and institutional arrangements responsive to producers’ needs. The findings provide a basis for informing research priorities, extension services, and policies supporting sustainable tropical livestock production.
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