Can extensification compensate livestock greenhouse gas emissions? A study of the carbon footprint in Spanish agroforestry systems

Abstract Dehesa agroforestry systems (rangelands located in Southwest Spain) are characterised by their semi-arid and often marginal conditions. These features are behind the low supply of pastures available for livestock use, which leads to proper management being based on the use of reduced stocking rates which imply minimal animal pressure on the territory. In this sense, the study of the role of carbon footprint in extensive systems is of great interest by analysing, within a case study framework, the various production systems available in dehesa farms and providing the methodological adjustments required to generate results that are comparable with other livestock systems and species. Results have revealed that beef farms with fattening calves are those with the lowest carbon footprint levels (8.62 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 eq)/kg live weight), followed by meat production sheep farms and farms selling calves at weaning. Enteric fermentation accounts for 64.10%–43.63% of the total emissions, and it is linked to the extensification of these systems and to the grazing diet of the animals. The system's own emissions could reach up to 78% in meat production systems. Undoubtedly, feeding is the input that amounts for the highest percentage of off-farm emissions, as it can reach up to 44.60% of the total emissions in dairy sheep farms and 21.20% in the meat production sheep farms. Soil sequestration has also been observed to range between 270.02 and 334.01 kg CO 2 eq ha −1  y −1 in the extensive farms under study, which represents considerable carbon compensation. It should be noted that these systems cannot compete in product units with the more intensive ones and, therefore, carbon footprint in dehesa agroforestry systems should be referred to the territory.