A Framework for Reviewing Silvopastoralism: A New Zealand Hill Country Case Study
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Date
2021-12-14
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI (Basel, Switzerland)
Rights
(c) 2021 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Silvopastoral systems can be innovative solutions to agricultural environmental degradation, especially in hilly and mountainous regions. A framework that expresses the holistic nature of silvopastoral systems is required so research directions can be unbiased and informed. This paper presents a novel framework that relates the full range of known silvopastoral outcomes to bio-physical tree attributes, and uses it to generate research priorities for a New Zealand hill country case study. Current research is reviewed and compared for poplar (Populus spp.), the most commonly planted silvopastoral tree in New Zealand hill country, and kānuka (Kunzea spp.), a novel and potentially promising native alternative. The framework highlights the many potential benefits of kānuka, many of which are underappreciated hill country silvopastoral outcomes, and draws attention to the specific outcome research gaps for poplar, despite their widespread use. The framework provides a formalised tool for reviewing and generating research priorities for silvopastoral trees, and provides a clear example of how it can be used to inform research directions in silvopastoral systems, globally.
Description
Keywords
New Zealand, hill country, poplar, kanuka, agroforestry, silvopasture, soil conservation, erosion, ecosystem services
Citation
Mackay-Smith TH, Burkitt L, Reid J, López IF, Phillips C. (2021). A framework for reviewing silvopastoralism: A new zealand hill country case study. Land. 10. 12.