Bark stripping by cattle in silvopastoral systems

Silvopastoral systems, consisting of the combined management of pastures, woody perennials and animals, are increasingly adopted throughout the world, especially in the tropics. However, reports of problems to the trees caused by the animals grazing these areas are also increasing. Damages inflicted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agroforestry systems 2019-02, Vol.93 (1), p.305-315
Main Authors: Nicodemo, Maria Luiza Franceschi, Porfírio-da-Silva, Vanderley
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Animals
Bark
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Boredom
Breakage
Browsing
Cattle
Damage
Diet
Food quality
Forestry
Leaves
Life Sciences
Livestock
Nutrient deficiency
Pasture
Risk management
Sheep
Social discrimination learning
Stripping
Trees
Tropical environments
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Summary:Silvopastoral systems, consisting of the combined management of pastures, woody perennials and animals, are increasingly adopted throughout the world, especially in the tropics. However, reports of problems to the trees caused by the animals grazing these areas are also increasing. Damages inflicted by cattle to adult trees may include branch breakage, trunk breakage, leaves browsing and bark stripping. Bark stripping may cause severe damage to the trees: it can decrease the value of the timber, and the injuries may lead to diseases or even death of the tree. Bark stripping is caused by multiple factors. It can be related to (i) dietary deficiency (food quantity or quality; fiber, protein, energy, mineral deficiencies); (ii) social learning—from dam or herdmates; (iii) learning and post-ingestive feedback; (iv) stress and boredom, although the presence of trees gives cattle the opportunity to broaden the repertoire of natural behaviors; (v) pharmaceutical compounds used to control/treat diseases. In this article we review reports of bark stripping caused by livestock, specially cattle and sheep, characterizing the conditions for the occurrence of damage. We suggest planning and management strategies that could decrease the risk of bark stripping to trees in silvopastoral systems.
ISSN:0167-4366
1572-9680
DOI:10.1007/s10457-018-0185-y