Impact of silvopastoral and traditional grazing systems on soil carbon stocks in the highland tropics of northern Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract The current climate crisis demands a reevaluation of society's relationship with natural environments. In dairy and beef farms, silvopastoral systems have become increasingly important for their contributions to animal welfare, pasture biodiversity, soil recovery, and the mitigation of their environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of traditional and silvopastoral grazing systems on soil carbon stocks in dairy farms located in the highland tropics of Antioquia, Colombia. Soil samples were collected bimonthly from five depths (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm). Carbon content was analyzed using a CN Leco 828 analyzer. Likewise, soil carbon deposition from cattle manure was estimated. Variance analysis was performed considering grazing systems, temporal sampling, and farm-specific effects as variables. Results showed no significant differences in carbon storage between traditional and silvopastoral systems at the evaluated depths. However, carbon content decreased significantly with increasing soil depth. Livestock manure was identified as a substantial source of soil carbon, and contributions from animal feces, along with the presence of kikuyu grass and other plant species were recognized as key factors in mitigating the environmental impact of livestock production in the highland tropics.