Design of sylvopastoral systems (bayesian tool)

[alvarogsalazar]

ABSTRACT

In this research we developed a technological tool for the design of ideal livestock pastures (live fences,trees in pasture). These pastures potentialise priorityecosystem services with combinations of multifunctional trees. The tool is created with farmer´s preference and characteristics, their local knowledge about tree species and specialistknowledge about the importance of functional traitsin the design of silvopastoral systems.


RESUMEN
En la presente investigación se desarrolló unaherramienta tecnológica para el diseño de potrerosideales (cercas vivas, árboles dispersos en potrero).Los potreros potencializan servicios ecosistémicosprioritarios con combinaciones de especies arbóreascon múltiples funciones. En la herramienta se hacepartícipe las preferencias y características de losproductores, el conocimiento que ellos tienen sobrecuáles son las mejores proveedoras de servicios, y elconocimiento de especialistas sobre la importanciaque cumplen los rasgos funcionales en el diseño delos sistemas silvopastoriles.


http://es.scribd.com/doc/99107703/Diseno-de-sistemas-silvopastoriles

[alvarogsalazar]

My thesis research has been recently Published Recently Published orton CATIE:

ABSTRACT
Multifunctionality in tree species is an important criterion for farmers when selecting
and preserving trees for livestock uses. Multifunctionality allows farmers to procure additional
benefits over the course of the lifetime of tree. It also provides more resilience to agricultural
ecosystems. For example, if one species disappears another may replace it. Promoting
multifunctional tree species (MTS) provides an effective way to promote rural development
based on the natural resources of trees. A methodology was developed to identify an ideal
farm pasture based on farmer perceptions of tree composition and number. The farmer was
free to add additional useful trees, and remove the nonproductive or little-used pasture until
achieving the optimal pasture. MTS were identified based on 4 criteria: 1) the species are
adapted to the area, 2) the tree carries out multiple functions, 3) the tree is desirable to the
farmer (ecosystem services), 4) the tree generates monetary benefits. The results of the study
determined the constraints and motivations that farmers observed on their farms in the
application of the idea of „ideal pastures‟. It was designed using Bayesian network software to
exemplify the probable tree species characteristics of an ideal pasture dependent on farmer
characteristics, income level, ecosystem services, and ideal tree cover. Farmers preferred tree
species such as, Cordia dentata, Gliricidia sepium, Cordia alliodora, Diphysa robinioides,
Guazuma ulmifolia, Pachira quinata, and Enterolobium cyclocarpum. The proposed changes
increased tree density by 209% in comparison to the current situation for living fences and
boundaries and 57% in scattered trees in pasture. An average farmer gets an average income
potential of US$1169 for the use of the trees, and may increase to US$2948 over 25 years by
increasing the composition and abundance of multifunctional trees in their farms.

You can follow me in my twitter account @alvarogsalazar

Alvaro Germán Salazar Oviedo
Msc. Enviromental Socio Economist
Bach. Rural Development
Economist

[alvarogsalazar]

My thesis research "Expert Model for the analysis of the adoption of multifunctional trees in Pastures in the dry tropic of Nicaragua" has been recently Published Recently Published orton CATIE:

ABSTRACT
Multifunctionality in tree species is an important criterion for farmers when selecting
and preserving trees for livestock uses. Multifunctionality allows farmers to procure additional
benefits over the course of the lifetime of tree. It also provides more resilience to agricultural
ecosystems. For example, if one species disappears another may replace it. Promoting
multifunctional tree species (MTS) provides an effective way to promote rural development
based on the natural resources of trees. A methodology was developed to identify an ideal
farm pasture based on farmer perceptions of tree composition and number. The farmer was
free to add additional useful trees, and remove the nonproductive or little-used pasture until
achieving the optimal pasture. MTS were identified based on 4 criteria: 1) the species are
adapted to the area, 2) the tree carries out multiple functions, 3) the tree is desirable to the
farmer (ecosystem services), 4) the tree generates monetary benefits. The results of the study
determined the constraints and motivations that farmers observed on their farms in the
application of the idea of „ideal pastures‟. It was designed using Bayesian network software to
exemplify the probable tree species characteristics of an ideal pasture dependent on farmer
characteristics, income level, ecosystem services, and ideal tree cover. Farmers preferred tree
species such as, Cordia dentata, Gliricidia sepium, Cordia alliodora, Diphysa robinioides,
Guazuma ulmifolia, Pachira quinata, and Enterolobium cyclocarpum. The proposed changes
increased tree density by 209% in comparison to the current situation for living fences and
boundaries and 57% in scattered trees in pasture. An average farmer gets an average income
potential of US$1169 for the use of the trees, and may increase to US$2948 over 25 years by
increasing the composition and abundance of multifunctional trees in their farms.

You can follow me in my twitter account @alvarogsalazar

Alvaro Germán Salazar Oviedo
Msc. Enviromental Socio Economist
Bach. Rural Development
Economist