Financial assessment, carbon stock and methane mitigation by trees in silvopastoral systems in the Pampa biome

ABSTRACT

The objective was to estimate the most profitable management regimes and the potential for mitigating greenhouse gases by the growth of trees in silvopastoral systems with eucalyptus established in natural grasslands in areas of family ranchers, in the region of Bagé (RS). Data were collected on growth and forest production in silvopastoral systems located in 15 rural properties, surveying the implementation costs, and the dimensions and value of the forest assortments practiced in the region. The plantations were stratified by genetic material, initial planting spacing and soil type and, after that, the simulation was performed with the aid of SisILPFE.dunnii and SisILPFeucalipto software. The definition of the best management regime was obtained by calculating the Annualized Net Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), using the Planin software. For the most profitable management regime, the calculation of the mitigation of greenhouse gases was carried out following the conditions for obtaining the Carbon Neutral Meat protocol. It was estimated that management regimes with thinning and a rotation age between 14 and 18 years for the best and worst sites, respectively, have greater profitability and potential to mitigate methane emissions from cattle. The stocking rate neutralized by trees has the potential to be higher than the stocking rate commonly used in native pastures in the Pampa, generating a carbon surplus that could be used to remunerate cattle breeders for environmental services.

Keywords
Greenhouse gases; Forest growth and production; Simulation