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Forage-SAFE: a model for assessing the impact of tree cover on wood pasture profitability

Author

Listed:
  • García de Jalón, S.
  • Graves, A.
  • Moreno, G.
  • Palma, J.H.N.
  • Crous-Durán, J.
  • Kay, S.
  • Burgess, P.J.

Abstract

Whilst numerous studies have examined the environmental benefits of introducing additional trees within wood pasture systems few studies have assessed the impact on farm profitability. This paper describes a model, called Forage-SAFE, which has been developed to improve understanding of the management and economics of wood pastures. The model simulates the daily balance between food production and the livestock demand for food to estimate annual farm net margins. Parameters in Forage-SAFE such as tree cover density, carrying capacity, and type of livestock can be modified to analyse their interactions on profitability and to identify optimal managerial decisions against a range of criteria. A modelled dehesa wood pasture in South-western Spain was used as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the model. The results for the modelled dehesa showed that for a carrying capacity of 0.44 livestock units per hectare the maximum net margin was achieved at a tree cover of around 53% with a mixture of Iberian pigs (28% of the livestock units) and ruminants (72%). The results also showed that the higher the carrying capacity the more profitable the tree cover was. This was accentuated as the proportion of Iberian pigs increased.

Suggested Citation

  • García de Jalón, S. & Graves, A. & Moreno, G. & Palma, J.H.N. & Crous-Durán, J. & Kay, S. & Burgess, P.J., 2018. "Forage-SAFE: a model for assessing the impact of tree cover on wood pasture profitability," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 372(C), pages 24-32.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:372:y:2018:i:c:p:24-32
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.01.017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iglesias, Eva & Báez, Karen & Diaz-Ambrona, Carlos H., 2016. "Assessing drought risk in Mediterranean Dehesa grazing lands," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 65-74.
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    1. Helena Guimarães, M. & Pinto-Correia, Teresa & de Belém Costa Freitas, Maria & Ferraz-de-Oliveira, Isabel & Sales-Baptista, Elvira & da Veiga, José Francisco Ferragolo & Tiago Marques, J. & Pinto-Cruz, 2023. "Farming for nature in the Montado: the application of ecosystem services in a results-based model," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    2. Bosi, Cristiam & Sentelhas, Paulo Cesar & Pezzopane, José Ricardo Macedo & Santos, Patricia Menezes, 2020. "CROPGRO-Perennial Forage model parameterization for simulating Piatã palisade grass growth in monoculture and in a silvopastoral system," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    3. Thiesmeier, Alma & Zander, Peter, 2023. "Can agroforestry compete? A scoping review of the economic performance of agroforestry practices in Europe and North America," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. Bagella, Simonetta & Caria, Maria Carmela & Seddaiu, Giovanna & Leites, Laura & Roggero, Pier Paolo, 2020. "Patchy landscapes support more plant diversity and ecosystem services than wood grasslands in Mediterranean silvopastoral agroforestry systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    5. Eleni Topalidou & Alexandra D. Solomou & Susana S. Santos & Evdokia Krystallidou & Styliani Kakara & Konstantinos Mantzanas, 2021. "Dynamic Role and Importance of Multi-Kingdom Communities in Mediterranean Wood-Pastures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Josep Crous-Duran & Anil R. Graves & Silvestre García de Jalón & Sonja Kay & Margarida Tomé & Paul J. Burgess & Michail Giannitsopoulos & João H.N. Palma, 2020. "Quantifying Regulating Ecosystem Services with Increased Tree Densities on European Farmland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Fonseca, Ana Margarida P. & Marques, Carlos A.F. & Pinto-Correia, Teresa & Guiomar, Nuno & Campbell, Daniel E., 2019. "Emergy evaluation for decision-making in complex multifunctional farming systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1-12.

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