Alternative methods for sustainably managing coastal forests as silvo-pastoral systems

Integration of shelter forest and herbage into a silvo-pastoral system with sustainable management can improve the ecological and economic sustainability of shelter forest in coastal China. Sustainable management of tree density and forage grasses planting was studied by establishing five experimental treatments through selective logging of the forest. The tree density at the five treatments was 5.00, 2.50, 1.67, 1.25, and 1.00 ind./100 m2, respectively. The density of 1.25 ind./100 m2 (Treatment 4) is the best for introduced forage plants (Sorghum sudanense, Lolium multiflorum, and Medicago sativa) and mature Populus to integrate into a silvo-pastoral system, while the density of 1.00 ind./100 m2 (Treatment 5) is the best for the native grass (Setaria faberi and Arthraxon pricnode) and mature Populus. The planting experiment presented the best combination of planting practices (seed amount, planting depth, and fertilizer amount) for each introduced grass. The silvo-pastoral system has been run successfully for 3 years and has been very profitable for the local farmers. In the silvo-pastoral system, simple cultivation practices change the local dominant species of grasses. Furthermore, a new result is found about tree–grass interaction that change of tree density can alter species of forage plants under trees.