Analyzing the Impact of Silvopasture on Soil Carbon and On-farm Economics
Matthew Potts, Professor
Environmental Science, Policy and Management
Applications for Spring 2026 are closed for this project.
Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir, playing a major role in regulating carbon storage and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Within soil carbon management and climate change mitigation, agriculture is an important focus as a dominant human land-use and significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Integrated crop-livestock systems are increasingly recognized as strategies for enhancing carbon sequestration. The integration of livestock, pasture, and trees, or “silvopasture,” is one such system that provides habitat, shade for livestock, and carbon sequestration through tree growth. However, the potential for silvopasture to increase soil carbon, and its influence on the stability of soil carbon, is not fully understood, with ambiguous conclusions in the existing literature. Further, silvopasture adoption is limited by economic constraints, hindering its ability to serve as a practical climate solution. In order for silvopasture to serve as a climate change mitigation strategy, region-specific research untangling the effects of silvopasture on soil health and carbon sequestration is essential. Understanding how silvopasture affects soil will identify potential economic benefits and support producer livelihoods while stewarding natural resources.
This project will compare soil carbon dynamics in silvopasture, treeless pasture, and ungrazed forests, while also constructing a cost-benefit analysis of silvopasture production. Therefore, this work will inform and enhance silvopasture adoption and climate change mitigation. We are collaborating with a rancher in Oregon to conduct fieldwork and analyze soil, productivity, and economic effects of silvopasture.
Role: Responsibilities:
Participating students will contribute to scientific research through:
1) Conducting a cost-benefit analysis of rangeland management strategies using existing literature and economic data.
2) *Potentially* conducting fieldwork onsite in Oregon. Fieldwork would include collecting soil samples, assessing forage growth, and evaluating forest dynamics. Fieldwork will take place for 1 week in March, and student participation is optional pending class schedules.
3) Labwork processing soil samples for chemical characteristics (including organic carbon, and organic nitrogen) and biological characteristics (including microbial community composition). Students will be trained on lab methodologies.
The students’ role will be essential in supporting research on silvopasture as a climate change mitigation and soil health strategy. Students will develop scientific knowledge and research skills in agronomics, soil ecology, natural resource management, and labwork. Additionally, they will be able to work closely with ranchers and natural resource professionals.
Hours can be negotiated, but are roughly 5-6 hrs a week January-March; 9-11 hrs a week April-May.
Qualifications: Required qualifications: Interest in soil science and agriculture, willingness to learn fieldwork and lab work methods, attention to detail.
Preferred, but not essential: fieldwork experience, lab experience.
In your essay, please include 1) your interest in working with ranchers or in natural climate change solutions and 2) any relevant field or lab experience.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Alyssa Jain, Graduate Student
Hours: to be negotiated
Social Sciences Environmental Issues Biological & Health Sciences