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Potential of pastoral-based agroforestry systems in climate change mitigation in the northwestern Himalayas
Author
Gurwinder, S
Bhupender, G
Dhirender, K
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

Silvipastoral systems, which integrate trees, forage, and grazing livestock on the same land, have gained importance because of their potential for carbon storage and for improving farmers' livelihoods. A study conducted in the subtropical region of the northwestern Himalayas along the elevation gradient (Zone I: <600 m amsl and 600-1200 m amsl). In Zone I, five agroforestry systems were identified: agrisilviculture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrisilvipastoral, pastoralsilviculture, and silvipastoral, whereas Zone II represents six agroforestry systems (agrisilviculture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrisi lvipastoral, pastoralsilviculture, and silvipastoral). The pastoral-based agroforestry systems were specifically categorized as agrisilvipastoral, Pastoral silviculture, and silvipastoral. Six grass species (Simarouba glauca, Imperata cylindrica, Cercocarpus montanus, Haemonchus contortus, Cymbopogon martini and Apluda mutica) were recorded in both zones under pastoral-based systems, with tree species such as Bauhinia variegata, Terminalia bellerica, Albizia chinensis, Ficus palmata, Grewia optiva, Acacia catechu, Bombax ceiba, Melia azedarach, Toona ciliata, Dalbergia sissoo, Populus deltoides, Leucaena leucocephala, and Morus alba. In Zone I, the Agrisilvihorticulture system had the highest total biomass, followed by silvipastoral, agrisilviculture, agrisilvipastoral, and pastoral silviculture. In Zone II, the order was agrisilvihorticulture > silvipastoral > agrisilviculture > agrisilvipastoral > agihorticulture > pastoral silvicultureHowever, soil carbo n stock was the highest in the silvipastoral system, resulting in the highest overall carbon stock in the silvipastoral system, these findings suggest that silvipastoral systems in subtropical regions have significant potential for carbon storage while meeting livestock forage demands, making them a valuable strategy for climate change mitigation in the subtropical western Himalayas

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 1528-1535. Theme: Theme 6 / Emissions management in grazing
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
Agroforestry
pasture
biomass
carbon stock
climate change