Silvopasture for food security in a changing climate

Abstract

Globally, the human population is expected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050, resulting in a rapidly growing demand for animal products and increased pressure on food security. This chapter draws on examples from across the globe to highlight the many contributions of silvopasture-the intensively managed integration of trees, forages, and livestock-to improving food security. We compare silvopasture and conventional grazing from different regions of the world and highlight scenarios where silvopasture may be the preferred approach. We discuss silvopasture's contribution to several direct and indirect indicators of food supply and conclude by addressing problems of modern-day animal agriculture and how silvopasture may play a critical role in the sustainable intensification of livestock production systems in the future.