El jaúl con pasto: la práctica de un sistema silvo-pastoril en Costa Rica

The article is a short outline of a thesis presented by the author in early 1980. (See literature cited above). It deals with the combination of Alnus acuminata (a tall tree known in Costa Rica as "jaúl") planted together with pasture in the main milk producing zone around the so called "Meseta Central". The combination has been known there for more than 70 years. Even though the ecological effects of this agro-forestry system seem to be positive, the technical and economic modifications to the environment, namely the introduction of chemical fertilizers, have altered the conditions of its use. The field study reveals that, given some accommodation to the present situation, without doubt the techniques has a promising future. This applies not only to large properties with differentiated land use patterns but also to the intensification of small holder enterprises.