The complexity of livestock production systems implies the interrelation of physical, technical, social, environmental, and animal factors. This study aimed (i) to classify and characterize farms in representative typologies and (ii) to point out the main factors responsible for the differences between the sheep farm typologies in Brazilian semiarid region. A structured questionnaire with 29 variables related to social, physical, livestock, technological, herd management, and productive indicators was applied to 65 sheep farmers. The farms typology was classified, characterized, and differentiated using several techniques of multivariate analysis. Three sheep production systems were identified: Emerging (16 farms): young adults farmers, medium farms and herds, intensive management, intermediate technological level, and high meat production; Conventional (40 farms): adult farmers, smallholder farms, small herds, low technological level, and low meat production; and traditional (09 farms): mature farmers, large farms and herds, extensive management, low technological level, and high meat production. Social, physical, livestock, herd management, technological, and productive factors showed discriminatory power (P < 0.05) to differentiate typologies. The family-based productive system still represents the primary sheep production system. Sheep farming in the Brazilian semiarid region is characterized as extensive, heavily dependent on natural resources, and susceptible to seasonal variations. Some common characteristics among the farms studied were the use of family labour and the predominance of extensive breeding with low stocking density. The emerging system is expanding and may represent the future of sheep farms. It is believed that the traditional system can intensify its management and migrate to the emerging system in the future. It is recommended to direct public policies that encourage the efficient succession of workers in sheep farming, adoption of technologies, and training of know-how professionals. The insertion of young farmers was considered a determining factor in the future of the sheep production system in the Brazilian semiarid region.

Silvopastoral systems (SPSs) constitute a modality of agroforestry systems in which trees or shrubs, pastures and animals mutually grow, interacting with the environment, and providing several ecosystem services. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the ecosystem services provided by SPSs in different countries, highlighting the diverse ways these systems can contribute to human well-being and environmental sustainability, also emphasizing the importance of management strategies, the differences among systems and the main shortcomings and challenges to optimizing ecosystem service delivery from SPSs. The review focused on global studies, mainly those published between 2010 and 2024, directly relevant to the topic. We used Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases for literature screening. SPSs have demonstrated worldwide potential to enhance human food and forage production, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, biological nitrogen fixation, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, erosion control, microclimate regulation, pollination, control of pests and diseases, biodiversity, residue absorption, water quality, spiritual enrichment, recreation and aesthetic experiences. However, most ecosystem services provided by SPSs depend on climate conditions, soil type, choice of species, system design and management practices to ensure that such benefits are not provided at the cost of other important services. Interaction among components is a major challenge for system management and evaluations. Adopting SPSs has the potential to promote sustainable agriculture. Long-term studies are needed to elucidate the implications of multiple interactions within the system and their impact on ecosystem service delivery. Public policies, including evaluating ecosystem services, should be developed to promote the adoption of SPSs.