Management of the regeneration of carob trees integrated into silvopastoral systems of the Paraguayan Central Chaco

Abstract

The management of silvopastoral systems associated with carob trees (Neltuma spp.) as a tree component constitutes a forestry potential for the Chaco ecoregion, in addition to benefiting animal well-being by providing shade, an alternative source of forage, protection against wind and the effects adverse effects of temperature extremes, and mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon in both biomass and soil, thus constituting an integrated sustainable production system for the Paraguayan Chaco. The objective was to evaluate the management of the regeneration of carob trees integrated into silvopastoral systems of the Paraguayan Central Chaco. For this, the survival of carob trees subjected to silvicultural treatments in silvopastoral systems was determined, the increase in diameter of carob trees subjected to silvicultural treatments in silvopastoral systems was evaluated, determining the basal area, volume, biomass, accumulated carbon and carbon dioxide, equivalent carbon in the studied systems, study the phenology and health status of the inventoried tree individuals, characterize the herbaceous animal component and determine the physical and chemical properties of the soils of the paddocks under study. The results obtained refer to a high survival of carob trees in silvopastoral systems, with the averages of the dasometric variables in terms of basal area being 11.99 m2/ha, stem volume being 10.93 m3/ha and total volume being 75. 48 m3/ha. At the time of the inventory, it was recorded that 74% of the individuals were in flowering and 68% were sick. The herbaceous component was made up of Gatton panic (Panicum maximun) with an animal load of 0.8 AU and only one of the three paddocks had compacted soils. The accumulated carbon dioxide content was similar in the three pastures. It is concluded that the silvopastoral systems associated with Neltuma spp. As a tree component, they constitute a forest potential for sustainable production in the Chaco ecoregion.