Tropical Andean páramos are high-altitude grassland ecosystems crucial for water regulation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. Traditional livestock management in these sensitive areas has resulted in overgrazing, soil erosion, and destruction of indigenous vegetation. In an effort to reverse these issues, the use of sustainable livestock practices is becoming increasingly popular among local communities and conservation organizations.
Some of the main sustainable strategies are rotational grazing, lowered stocking rates, and reforestation with indigenous species. They assist in rehabilitating páramo vegetation, enhancing soil structure, and maintaining hydrological services essential for downstream water supply. Agroecological education and participatory strategies enable local farmers to combine conventional knowledge with ecological best practices.
Application of silvopastoral systems—integrating trees, forage, and livestock—has also been promising in increasing productivity while preserving biodiversity. Enhanced manure management and optimization of feed minimize methane emissions and enhance animal health.
Implementing these sustainable methods not only heals the environmental balance of the páramos but enhances long-term well-being by making the environment more resistant to climate change. With policy incentives, research, and community support, sustainable livestock production in páramos can provide a sustainable avenue toward both conservation of the environment and food security.