Silvopastoral Systems in a Changing Climate: Sustainable Pathways for Livestock and Land Restoration

Abstract

Silvopastoral systems, which integrate trees, livestock, and pastures within a unified land management framework, are increasingly recognised as transformative approaches to sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and degraded land restoration. As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events intensify, the vulnerability of conventional livestock production systems has become increasingly apparent, threatening food security, rural livelihoods, and ecological integrity across diverse agroecological zones. This review synthesises the growing body of evidence on the ecological, climatic, and socio-economic dimensions of silvopastoral systems, drawing on peer-reviewed literature and authoritative institutional reports published between 2000 and 2026. The review examines how silvopastoral practices contribute to carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation, microclimate moderation, biodiversity conservation, soil health restoration, and hydrological regulation. It further explores the welfare implications for livestock under heat-stressed conditions, the livelihood co-benefits for farming communities, and the policy frameworks that either support or constrain the wider adoption of these systems. Evidence drawn from diverse geographic contexts—including tropical Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and temperate European landscapes—reveals that well-designed silvopastoral interventions can simultaneously deliver productivity gains, ecosystem service enhancements, and meaningful contributions to international climate commitments. Nevertheless, substantial barriers remain, including tenure insecurity, limited access to technical assistance, inadequate incentive structures, and knowledge gaps concerning system performance across different climatic and edaphic contexts. This review argues for a systems-oriented, landscape-scale approach to silvopastoral policy and research, underpinned by robust monitoring frameworks and inclusive governance arrangements that recognise the centrality of smallholder farmers and Indigenous communities in land management transitions.