Silvopasture is nestled under the FOOD section of Drawdown’s book of one hundred ways to pull CO2 back into the earth, and it is the ninth most effective way to accomplish this.

Ranking and Results by 2050

• 31.19 gigatons reduced CO2
• $41.6 billion net cost
• $699.4 billion net savings

Silvopasture is the integration of trees and pasture or forage into a single system for raising livestock, from cattle and sheep to deer and ducks. Rather than seeing trees as a weed to be removed, silvopasture integrates them into a sustainable and symbotic system. It is one approach within the broader umbrella of agroforestry and revives an ancient practice, now common on over 350 million acres worldwide. Trees, animals, forage, and soil are required. It is the soil that is the essential component for mitigating climate change.

The animals sequester carbon under food into the soil by walking and running. Silvopasturing sequesters carbon not only in the soil, but in the biomass above ground. Silvopasture also benefits the animals and trees. Livestock function as weed control, and manure provides natural fertilizer. It can also help farmers and livestock adapt to erratic weather and drought. Trees create cooler climate and moderate water availability. Silvopasture is a climate win-win!

— from “Drawdown” by Paul Hawken