In times of global warming and biodiversity loss, it is important to identify where and how can animal production be part of the solution. So-called ecologically intensive grazing systems of South America, relying on native grasslands and rangelands provide multiple ecosystem services of local and global importance. However, studies that focus exclusively on CO2 emissions to assess sustainability often conclude that intensive livestock production – feedlots or animal factories – are more sustainable than graze-based animal production. This article examines the available evidence in search for more balanced views.
Full paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.664103/full
Introduction
Sustainability assessments to inform the design of multifunctional grazing landscapes need to look beyond greenhouse gas emissions to simultaneously embrace other social and environmental criteria. Here I briefly examine trade-offs and synergies between the productivity of graze-based livestock systems and the environment, and share a few generic guidelines to design pathways for the ecological intensification of livestock systems following agroecological principles. I draw from experience on livestock farming in the Rio de la Plata Grassland Biome of South America (Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil).
Key findings
Livestock systems based on native grasslands in this region may have greater carbon footprints (13–29kg CO2 eq. kg LW−1) than intensive grass-feedlot systems in the region (9–14kg CO2 eq. kg LW−1) or the average range reported for OECD countries (c. 10–20kg CO2 eq. kg LW−1) when calculated per unit product, but only 20% greater when expressed on an area basis. Yet they use 10 times less external energy and 5 times less nitrogen inputs per kg live weight (LW) produced, provide ecosystem services of local and global importance, such as carbon storage, habitat protection for biodiversity, watershed regulation, clean water, food and textiles, livelihoods and local cultures, and provide better living conditions for grazing animals.
The challange
Traditional graze-based systems are less economically attractive than intensive livestock or grain production and they are being replaced by such activities, with negative social and environmental consequences. Further ecological intensification of graze-based livestock systems is urgently needed to ensure economic profits while minimising social-ecological trade-offs on multifunctional landscapes. Examples of such ecologically intensive systems exist in the region that exhibit synergies between economic and environmental goals (e.g. Modernel et al., 2018; Ruggia et al., 2021), but a broad and lasting transition towards sustainable multifunctional landscapes based on agroecological principles requires (co-)innovation at both technical and institutional levels.
References
Modernel P., Dogliotti S., Alvarez S., Corbeels M., Picasso V., Tittonell P., Rossing W.A.H., 2018. Identification of beef production farms in the Pampas and Campos area that stand out in economic and environmental performance. Ecological Indicators 89, 755-770.
Ruggia, A., S. Dogliotti, V. Aguerre, M.M. Albicette, A. Albin, O. Blumetto, G. Cardozo, C. Leoni, G. Quintans, S. Scarlato, P. Tittonell, W.A.H. Rossing, 2021. The application of ecologically intensive principles to the systemic redesign of livestock farms on native grasslands: A case of co-innovation in Rocha, Uruguay, Agricultural Systems 191, 103148, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103148.
Tittonell, P., 2021. Beyond CO2: Multiple Ecosystem Services from Ecologically Intensive Grazing Landscapes of South America. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5, 190, doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.664103
Tittonell, P., Hara, S.M., Álvarez, V.E., Aramayo, V.M., Bruzzone, O.A., Easdale, M.H., Enriquez, A.S., Laborda, L., Trinco, F.D., Villagra, S.E., El Mujtar, V., 2021. Ecosystem services and disservices associated with pastoral systems from Patagonia, Argentina – A review. Cah. Agric. 30 43 DOI: 10.1051/cagri/2021029