Agrosilvopastoral systems have been used as sustainable production models that can promote soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, there are no simulation studies with the Century model to estimate the SOC accumulation capacity in the long term, analyzing the effects of management and climate change in integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF) systems. This study aimed to simulate soil C dynamics in two chronosequences of land-use composed of native vegetation (NV), degraded pasture (DPA) and ICLF system in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, in addition to designing future scenarios to verify the potential of SOC accumulation through climate change. The results showed that the Century model reliably simulated the SOC stocks in the two chronosequences evaluated. The model predicted an increase in SOC stocks at two sites by converting the DPA system (46.04 and 42.38 Mg ha ^-1 ) into ICLF systems (54.94 and 51.71 Mg ha ^-1 ). The Century also predicted that a 20 mm decrease in rainfall and a 2 °C increase in temperature in the tropical regions studied could reduce the SOC stocks more expressively in degraded pastures, while agroforestry systems could show a smaller reduction in SOC stocks. In addition, the results showed that replacing degraded pastures into agrosilvopastoral systems, especially in clayey soils, contributes to increasing SOC stocks. Thus, agroforestry systems are potentially viable to maintain the sustainability of agriculture in the face of climate change.

This study evaluated the chemical and microbiological soil attributes in a silvopastoral system compared to well-managed pasture, degraded pasture, and Cerrado vegetation in Brazil. A randomized design with four replications was employed to collect soil samples at seven depths. These samples were analyzed for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil microbial attributes were also evaluated at three depths during the dry and wet seasons. Carbon stocks in the evaluated systems varied (0–100 cm), with the highest stocks found in well-managed pasture (MP) (129.5 Mg C ha⁻¹), followed by the silvopastoral system (SPS) (106.6 Mg C ha⁻¹), and the lowest values in native vegetation (NV) (84.8 Mg C ha⁻¹) and degraded pasture (DP) (63.4 Mg C ha⁻¹). Higher pH and base sum were observed in MP. Soil microbial biomass (Cmic) did not differ between treatments during the wet season but was generally higher in MP and lower in DP during the dry season. MP effectively regulated the chemical and biological quality of the soil. The SPS demonstrated that it is possible to combine the cultivation of trees and pastures in the same area, contributing to the improvement of the chemical and biological attributes of the soil in the Brazilian Cerrado.

The genus Eucalyptus is the most used in theo composition of agrosilvopastoral systems in Brazil. This is due to its high adaptation potential, its growth and development in different ecological and environmental conditions, in addition to the different uses of its wood (Torres et al., 2016 TORRES, C.M.M.E., OLIVEIRA, A.C., PEREIRA, B.L.C., JACOVINE, L.A.G., OLIVEIRA NETO, S.N., CARNEIRO, A.D.C.O. and TORRES, C.M.M.E., 2016. Estimativas da produção e propriedades da madeira de eucalipto em Sistemas Agroflorestais. Scientia Forestalis, vol. 44, no. 109, pp. 17-148. http://dx.doi.org/10.18671/scifor.v44n109.13. http://dx.doi.org/10.18671/scifor.v44n10... ). In order to obtain high productivity and quality wood, it is fundamental to choose selected genotypes adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the planting region. For use in agrosilvopastoral systems, Eucalyptus cloeziana (F. Muell, 1878) (Myrtaceae) stands out because its wood has high density and is extremely durable (Alves et al., 2017 ALVES, R.C., OLIVEIRA, A.L.C. and CARRASCO, E.V.M., 2017. Propriedades físicas da madeira de Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell. Floresta e Ambiente, vol. 24, e00015312. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.015312. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.0153... ).

Integrated Crop–Livestock–Forest (ICLF) systems have emerged as a key strategy for sustainable agricultural intensification by simultaneously enhancing productivity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience in tropical environments. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the role of the tree component in ICLF systems, with emphasis on wood production, timber quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, and ecosystem functioning. We discuss the conceptual basis and typologies of ICLF systems, the influence of spatial and temporal arrangements, and the biotic and abiotic factors regulating tree growth and productivity. The review further examines management practices—including species selection, tree density, thinning, and pruning—and their implications for wood yield, timber quality, and overall system performance. Evidence demonstrates that appropriately managed tree components enhance nutrient cycling, soil quality, biodiversity, animal welfare, and farm profitability while increasing carbon sequestration in aboveground biomass and soils. Trees also contribute to offsetting methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, reinforcing the climate mitigation potential of ICLF systems. Despite these benefits, adoption remains constrained by technical, economic, and regional challenges, highlighting the need for site-specific recommendations and improved silvicultural management. Overall, optimizing the tree component can maximize the multifunctionality of ICLF systems, supporting sustainable wood production, ecosystem restoration, the implementation of Brazil’s ABC+ Plan, and the achievement of the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.