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August 30, 2024
Silvopastoral Systems
Maximizing the benefits of integrating trees with livestock production for multifunctional rural landscapes in Aotearoa
Thomas Mackay-Smith
Project Details Ngā taipitopito
Project Status:
CompletedChallenge funding:
$130,000Research duration:
July 2022 – December 2022Collaborators Ngā haumi
Federated Farmers | Greater Wellington Regional Council | Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research | Massey University | Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance
What are we doing?E aha ana mātou?
Silvopastoralism is the practice of integrating trees in a livestock production system.
Soil conservation has been the main driver of silvopastoralism in New Zealand’s hill country, but other benefits may include cultural impacts, animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, hydrological impacts, soil nutrient effects, and climate resilience. An additional benefit may be the potential increased pasture production under tree canopies, which has been found around the globe, including in a recent New Zealand study on kānuka tree-pasture interactions.
This project will identify knowledge gaps and research needs related to biophysical mechanisms that influence silvopastoral outcomes. It will consider ways in which silvopastoral systems can impact environmental, economic, and cultural land management outcomes in Aotearoa, and identify barriers to adoption.
How can the research be used? Ka pēhea e whai take ai te rangahau?
- This project will review the benefits that silvopastoral trees may provide to pastoral systems.
- Biophysical mechanisms that influence the outcomes of silvopastoral land management systems will be identified and linkages illustrated in a biophysical process diagram.
- Two workshops with focus groups will be held with stakeholders to discuss the potential of different forms of silvopastoral systems in Aotearoa and barriers to adoption. This process will inform what the wider impact of silvopastoralism may be to Aotearoa.
- Recommendations will be made regarding future research needs, as well as pinpointing where the opportunities and challenges lie for silvopastoralism to add both environmental and economic value to pastoral farms.
Related research updates Ngā pānui mō te rangahau nei
Research team Te hunga i whai wāhi mai
Project Lead/Science Lead
Raphael Spiekermann
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Te Ao Māori Lead
Laise Harris
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Thomas Mackay-Smith
Massey University
Dan Richards
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Nikki Harcourt
Manaaki Whenua
Lucy Burkitt
Massey University
Esther Dijkstra
Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance
David Boone
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Elizabeth McGruddy
Federated Farmers
Tools & resources Ngā utauta me ngā rauemi
Summary
Research Spurs New Silvopasture Business
The company Verdantia Research was founded in 2023, commercialising research that was tested in a project funded by Our Land and Water. This article was…
Video
A New Hill Country Vision
Verdantia Research is a company that spun out of a large body of research, including one Our Land and Water research project. This video shares…
Video
Can Kānuka Increase Pasture Production in New Zealand Hill Country? Research Video
In this research video, we explore the results of Tom Mackay-Smith’s PhD at Massey University, measuring the impact of spaced kānuka trees on pasture production,…
Video
The Effect of Kānuka Trees on Surface Runoff and Sediment and Nutrient Losses: Research Video
In this research video, we explore the results of Tom Mackay-Smith’s PhD at Massey University, measuring the impact of spaced kānuka trees on surface runoff…
Video
Native Silvopasture Trials in New Zealand Hill Country: Research Video
In this research video, we explore the results of native silvopasture trials we have done in New Zealand hill country between 2021 and 2023. The…
Video
The Potential of Silvopastoralism in New Zealand: Research Video
In this research video, we explore the findings of an Our Land and Water project we did exploring the potential of silvopastoralism in New Zealand.…
In the media Mai i te ao pāpaho
Manaaki Whenua news, 20 February 2023
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