Influence of Forest-Based Shelterbelts on Microclimate, Stress Reduction, and Welfare in Grazing Livestock Systems

Abstract

Natural forest shelterbelts are important ecological buffers that have a high impact on microclimatic patterns in open grazing ecosystems that are subjected to escalating environment-stress factors caused by climatic variability. The paper explores whether or not tree belts of natural forests are effective in the regulation of microclimate parameters and improvement of welfare benefits of cattle and small ruminants grazing in hot, semi-arid environments. The micro climate variables; air temperature, relative humidity, speed of wind, evapotranspiration, moisture content on the ground and shade intensity were measured in a systematic manner on forest and buffered grazing paddocks throughout the periods of maximum summer seasons. It is shown that forest shelterbelts were very useful in reducing ambient heat load through reduction of wind speed between 18 and 33 percent, increasing local humidity, and increasing soil moisture retention between 12 and 17 percent all leading to more stable and thermally comfortable ambient conditions. In line with this, animal welfare evaluations indicated significant changes in livestock behaviours and physiology of livestock using shelterbelt-buffered locations with a 25% reduction in panting or restlessness, greater grazing and rumination along with increased voluntary feed consumption. The physiological data also showed a decrease in the stress levels, which were shown by a significantly decreased cortisol level and enhanced thermoregulatory responses. The results of the studies identify the importance of forest vegetation as a critical mitigation of heat stress, agitated behavior, and welfare of grazing livestock capacity. More so, the research promotes the adoption of natural shelterbelts as a cheaply sustainable approach of managing climate and resilient livestock. Forest shelterbelts help improve the quality of microclimate and alleviate physiological stress of animals, thereby improving not only the level of comfort and productivity among animals but also ecosystem functions like the maintenance of soil moisture, microhabitat stabilisation, and landscape sustainability. The results emphasise the need to include forest-based buffers in pastures in order to facilitate a welfare and climate-sensitive grazing regime.