Heterogeneity and vulnerability of livestock in forest plantations of Uruguay

In this paper we study the situation of livestock farmers related to the afforestation of the northwest region of Uruguay and suggest that their vulnerability has characteristics that vary according to characteristics of the modified ecosystem in which they operate and develop their resource endowments. We present an overview of mixed farming that includes trees and especially those that include cattle grazing. It is shown that the development of these systems has been associated with incentives from public policies, the demand for primary goods and the emergence of forms of agricultural organization that had not been present in the country. It presents various aspects of developments in the areas where forestry has shown great progress, justifying the need to elaborate on knowledge of the consequences of these changes. In particular, it proposes an approach that emphasizes the identification of interactions that we consider to be beneficial for both items. Briefly reviews some consequences that are manifested in changes in ecosystem services and the changes are associated with the original holding in the region: livestock. To analyze differences in vulnerability among farmers and in particular how this feature is affected by its connection with afforestation present a typology and the results of a series of interviews conducted archetypal representatives of the types we offer. Our study shows that differences exist between farmers associated with the afforestation that allow us to propose that will be affected differentially by changes that occur and the desirability of developing differential offers training and include consideration of public policy proposals that improve their situation. In particular, the valuation of environmental services throughout the silvopastoral systems can result in improved income from these new players in our national agriculture. (Résumé d'auteur