Matrix of environmental risks in sub-humid and humid ranching and farming sub-systems - LGH3

Resource base | Risks and opportunities | Underlying factors
Land Soil structure | (-) Erosion | Excessive grazing and browsing, Animal trampling Mechanization
Land Soil fertility | (-) Decrease of organic matter content, loss of soil fertility | Deforestation for grassland establishment, change of land use and no fertilizer input
(+) Nutrient cycling improvement | Pasture use and maintenance: permanent pasture stimulating soil macrofauna, microfauna and nutrient cycling
(+) Improvement of soil nitrogen content by biotic fixation | Good grazing management: Introduction of legumes in pasture
Water Quality | (-) Organic pollution of stream water (-) Chemical Pollution | Poor management of animal wastes. Poor use of chemical inputs Bad use of pesticides
Atmosphere Gas emission | (-) Increased Carbon dioxide emission | Deforestation for pasture establishment
(+) Decreased rates of Carbon dioxide release to the atmosphere | Carbon sequestration: Use of permanent pastures accumulating organic matter in soil and sward
Biodiversity Vegetation structure | (-) Important change of vegetal structure and landscape | Deforestation for pasture establishment
(+) Improvement of ground cover | Good grazing management: Introduction of useful plants in pasture
Biodiversity Plant species | (-) Reduction of botanical diversity | Deforestation for pasture establishment
(-) Weed invasion in improved pasture | Pasture use and maintenance: Frequent bush fire, impure seed stocks and bad management
Biodiversity Animal species | (-) Reduction of wildlife and habitat | Poor protection of wildlife: Competition for food and space "between" domestic animals and wildlife
(+) Protection of wildlife and habitats | More effective utilization of wildlife: Mixed ranching game/cattle

> [Livestock & Environment Toolbox Home]