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Silvopasture is increasingly recognized as a nature-based solution to climate change. However, few studies have quantified the total carbon storage potential of silvopasture in humid continental climates, complicating efforts to understand climate mitigation potential. In this study, we compared the carbon stocks of silvopastures established by afforestation of trees into pastures (silvopasture) with pasture that remained without trees (treeless pasture) on five farms in the Northeastern United States. Total carbon content was measured in the woody, herbaceous, and soil pools for silvopastures and treeless pastures. Results indicate that silvopastures stored 43% more total carbon (136.42 Mg C ha − 1 ) than treeless pastures (95.47 Mg C ha − 1 ), with tree carbon in silvopastures being the driving factor. No significant difference in soil carbon stocks were found between systems across all five study farms. Total carbon content of forages was generally lower in silvopastures (7.24 Mg C ha − 1 ) when compared to treeless pasture (7.84 Mg C ha − 1 ). These findings quantify the additionality of silvopasture as a nature-based carbon storage practice when trees are planted into pasture.

Managing private forests for wildfire resilience is challenging due to conflicting social, economic, and ecological decisions that may result in an increase of surface fuel loads leading to greater fire risk. Due to fire suppression and a changing climate, land managers in fire-prone regions face an increasing threat of high severity fires. Thus, land managers need fuel treatment options that match their forest types and management objectives. One potential option for producers that graze livestock is silvopasture management, where livestock, forages, and overstory vegetation are carefully managed for co-benefits on the same unit of land. This study compared forest composition and structure, fuel types, and vegetative biomass between silvopasture and non-grazed managed forests in Washington, U.S. We show that silvopasture management results in reductions in grass biomass, litter, and duff depth when compared to non-grazed managed forest. These findings point to the integrated nature of silvopasture, where management of overstory composition and structure, understory vegetation, and grazing can reduce fuel loads and potential wildfire risk.

Agroforestry offers producers climate mitigation and adaptation benefits and the opportunity to diversify income and enhance ecosystem services . Though these benefits are well-researched, few studies document agroforestry implementation through time in the United States using consistent national data sources. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated changes in the number of farm operations with agroforestry across the United States using data from the 2017 and 2022 United States Census of Agriculture. Through this analysis, we showed that the number of farm operations with agroforestry increased by 6% nationally between 2017 (30,853) and 2022 (32,717). States with the highest percent of total farms reporting at least one type of agroforestry were Vermont (7.8%), Maine (6.0%), and New Hampshire (5.6%), while states with the lowest percent were Arizona (0.3%), Utah (0.4%), and North Dakota (0.4%). States on the eastern half of the country tended to see increases in the number of farm operations with agroforestry between census years, while states on the western half of the country saw the largest decreases. Reasons for these changes are complex and require additional analysis. Additionally, we identified potential factors that may decrease the accuracy of agroforestry census data, along with recommendations on how to improve overall data quality going forward. We outlined how national agroforestry census data can inform decision-making related to farm policies, funding, programs, research, and extension delivery. With an online supplement, we also provided detailed maps of the extent of agroforestry in all 50 states.

Silvopasture in Washington State is not well studied and thus little is known about this practice in this region. The first objective of this research project was to understand farm composition and farmer goals for silvopasture. To accomplish this, I conducted a statewide survey administered via interviews of practitioners to determine the social, economic, and ecological drivers and demographics of farmers utilizing silvopasture. To identify landowners using silvopasture and gain insights into its perceived usage and impacts, I contacted and interviewed multiple state and federal agency representatives. This research provided evidence that silvopasture is being used and that further research is needed to determine the economic viability and ecological effects of this practice.A second objective was to determine the effects of silvopasture and other types of forest grazing on forest structure, composition, and edaphic properties. Due to the combined effects of fire suppression and historic logging and grazing practices; dry pine forests of the Interior Columbia Basin are susceptible to high severity fires, soil compaction, and erosion. Limited research suggests that silvopasture may reduce fuel loads while maintaining ecosystem services. Through field data collection and statistical analyses, I determined that the prescribed grazing density associated with silvopasture and continuous grazing reduced litter, duff, and surface vegetation without significant alteration of vascular plant evenness and abundance. Analysis of physical and chemical soil properties determined that silvopasture resulted in significantly lower bulk density and soil compaction than continuous grazing but both measures were higher than in ungrazed sites. Similarly electrical conductivity was highest in continuously grazed sites when compared to silvopasture sites. This suggests that silvopasture is a more suitable land management practice when compared to more traditional forest grazing methods.

Few studies have been conducted on the extent and nature of silvopasture usage in Washington state. The goal of this research was to investigate the livestock, forages, and tree composition of the silvopasture systems currently being utilized and landowner goals for these systems. To accomplish this, we conducted a statewide survey administered via interviews of practitioners to determine the social, economic, and ecological drivers and demographics of farmers utilizing silvopasture. To identify landowners using silvopasture and gain insights into its perceived usage and impacts, we contacted and interviewed multiple state and federal agency representatives. The farms identified for the study ranged from 2 to 1100 acres in size and found on both sides of the Cascades. Of the 19 landowners utilizing silvopasture, 100% had goals of diversifying revenue streams and incorporating ecosystem services into their management systems. Benefits cited by practitioners included regular revenue streams from forest products and livestock sales. The challenges identified included limited regionally specific literature and a lack of trained professionals familiar with silvopasture and associated best management practices. This research provided evidence that landowners are utilizing and adapting silvopasture systems to a broad array of bioregions within Washington state to meet their objectives. The ecological adaptability of silvopasture is demonstrated by the variety of trees, forage, and livestock combinations found throughout the study sites. For silvopasture to advance as a land management practice in this region, our research showed the need for further studies to occur to determine the best practices, economic viability, and ecological effects of silvopasture.

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