UdeC Study Highlights Role of Silvopastoral Systems in Soil Recovery and Carbon Sequestration

Research from the University of Concepción demonstrated the potential of silvopastoral systems to recover degraded soils and increase carbon capture, positioning them as a key tool for the restoration of native forests in Chile.

The study, published in the journal Agronomy, analyzed soils under agroforestry management—which combines trees, grazing, and crops—and compared them with non-intervention areas. The results showed that the former have greater biological activity, along with higher levels of carbon and nitrogen, elements fundamental for soil fertility and resilience.

The research was developed by Dr. Camila Ramos Carrera, under the guidance of academics Erick Zagal Venegas and Francis Dube, at the Ranchillo Alto property, located in the foothills of Yungay, where native forest restoration practices have been implemented for over a decade.

Among the main findings is a greater presence of stable carbon in the treated soils, including fractions resistant to degradation that can remain stored for long periods. This aspect is especially relevant in the face of climate change, as it helps reduce the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

Furthermore, the study confirms that these systems allow for the compatibility of livestock production with forest conservation, improving soil quality and diversifying the productive use of the land.

The results provide local evidence for decision-making in forest management and ecological restoration policies, and reinforce the value of silvopastoral systems as a sustainable and replicable alternative in different ecosystems of the country.