Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

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Journal of Thermal Biology

journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jtherbio

Improvement of thermal comfort indices in agroforestry systems in the

southern Brazilian Amazon
~es a, *, Corn�elio A. Zolin a, Jorge Lulu a, Luciano B. Lopes a, Isabela V. Furtini b,
Ciro A.S. Magalha
Laurimar G. Vendrusculo c, Ana P.S.R. Zaiatz d, Bruno C. Pedreira a,
Jos�e Ricardo Macedo Pezzopane e
a
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecu�
aria, Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril, P.O. Box 343, 78550-970, Sinop, MT, Brazil
b
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecu�
aria, Embrapa Arroz e Feij~
ao, P.O. Box 179, 75375-000, Santo Ant^ onio de Goi�as, GO, Brazil
c
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecu�
aria, Embrapa Inform�atica Agropecu� aria, P.O. Box 6041, 13083-886, Campinas, SP, Brazil
d
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Programa de P�os-Graduaç~ ao em Agronomia, campus Sinop, 78557-267, Sinop, MT, Brazil
e
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecu�
aria, Embrapa Pecu�aria Sudeste, P.O. Box 339, 13560-970, S~ ao Carlos, SP, Brazil

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Agroforestry systems can minimize heat stress and improve cattle welfare, but the influence of the forest
Heat stress component in microclimatic changes in the southern Amazon remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the
Microclimate thermal comfort indices in grass monoculture and integrated systems. The three systems were pasture under full
Black globe temperature
sunlight (PFS), integrated (triple-row) livestock-forestry (ILFT), and integrated (single-row) livestock-forestry
Tropical farming systems
Animal husbandry
(ILFs), across four seasons, for two years, from June 2017 to June 2019. We assessed photosynthetically
active radiation (PAR), air temperature, relative humidity, black globe temperature, and wind speed. Thermal
comfort indices such as temperature-humidity index (THI), black globe temperature-humidity index (BGHI), and
radiant thermal load (RTL) were calculated based on microclimate data daily-collected from 8:00 to 16:00. The
ILFT mean THI (76.8) was slightly lower than ILFS and PFS. The BGHI and RTL values decreased as shading
increased (PFS > ILFs > ILFT). The most challenging heat stress conditions for grazing animals occurred pre­
dominately during winter and autumn. In conclusion, the presence of trees in pastures of the southern Amazon
improved the microclimate and, consequently, the thermal comfort indices. Agroforestry systems can foster an
environment with a more suitable thermal comfort or less restrictive to animal performance, which contribute to
mitigating global climate change for forage-livestock systems in Brazilian Amazon.

1. Introduction negatively affects the welfare and productivity of the animals (Aggarwal
and Upadhyay, 2013; Tripon et al., 2014; Karvatte et al., 2016).
The Amazon biome covers nine nations and is the largest biological Although the effects of climate change and global warming present
diversity reserve of the world. The Brazilian Amazon has continental extreme challenges worldwide, it is still possible to alleviate heat stress
dimensions and includes transitional areas such as the Cerrado/Amazon to a significant extent through the provision of shade (Leme et al., 2005).
ecotone, which covers 4.9% of the national territory. Much of this area is Shading in the pastures provides a barrier to solar radiation and,
located in the Central Brazil, where mechanized agriculture and forage- although not directly related to air temperature, plays an essential role
livestock production are the dominant systems. The state of Mato Grosso in reducing thermal discomfort in animals (Souza et al., 2010; Domi­
supports the largest cattle herd in the country, accounting for almost 30 ciano et al., 2018). In this context, an integrated crop-livestock-forestry
million head of cattle, which represents 13.6% of the Brazilian herd (ICLF) system may be an alternative to improve beef or dairy cattle
(IBGE, 2019). Despite the importance of Mato Grosso’s livestock pro­ welfare.
duction, a large proportion of the animals is exposed to direct sunlight Many indexes had developed to determine the adequate heat load
because of the limited number of trees in the pastures. This extensive and thermal comfort of livestock, including temperature-humidity index
grass monoculture model could not reduce the heat stress, which can | THI (Thom, 1958), the black globe temperature-humidity index | BGHI

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ciro.magalhaes@embrapa.br (C.A.S. Magalh~
aes).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102636
Received 26 March 2020; Received in revised form 28 May 2020; Accepted 29 May 2020
Available online 5 June 2020
0306-4565/© 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
C.A.S. Magalh~
aes et al. Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

(Buffington et al., 1981), and the radiant thermal load | RTL (Esmay, anemometers (Windsonic, Gill, Lymington, Hampshire, UK - Accuracy:
1978). Among them, the radiation is considered one of the most critical � 2% of reading). These sensors were installed 1.7 m (thermo-hy­
thermal factors affecting animal welfare. Based on the need for under­ grometers and black globe), 1.9 m (PAR) and 2 m (wind speed) above
standing the microclimate conditions in forage-based systems and their the soil surface. The sensors were connected to a CR3000 datalogger
impact on the thermal comfort indices throughout the year, we hy­ (Campbell Scientific, Logan, Utah, USA) programmed to sample read­
pothesize that integrated systems will improve animal welfare when ings every 5 s and to record mean hourly values. In the ILF systems,
compared with grass monoculture. In order to test this hypothesis, we sensors were located at five positions in the north-south transect
developed integrated systems containing palisadegrass pastures in the perpendicular to the eucalyptus rows (east-west) as follows: (i) ILFT -
Southern Amazon Brazilian and compare their (i) microclimatic condi­ under the canopy in the center of the triple-row grove and at 7.5 and 15
tions and thermal comfort indices, and (ii) the space-time dynamics of m from the edges of the grove in each direction (north and south faces);
the indices with that obtained in grass monocultures across seasons. (ii) ILFS – under the canopy in the center of the single row and at 11 and
18.5 m from the edge of the tree row, on the north and south faces
2. Methods (Fig. 1). In the PFS system, sensors were placed in a single position at the
center of the plot.
2.1. Site of study and climate Considering that the highest temperatures in the southern Amazon
occur during the day, mean values of the climatic variables were ob­
The experimental period was from June 2017 to June 2019 at tained daily between 08:00 and 16:00 during winter (21 June – 20
Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril, located in Sinop, Mato Grosso state, Brazil September), spring (21 September – 20 December), summer (21
(11� 510 S, 55� 350 W; 384 m elevation). The soil was a Rhodic Hapludox December – 20 March) and autumn (21 March – 20 June). Rainfall data
(Soil Survey Staff, 2014), while the climate is tropical wet and dry (Aw) during the experimental period was obtained from a recording station
according to the Ko €ppen classification with rainfall concentrated in the located 500 m from the experimental site.
summer/autumn and water deficiency in winter/spring. The mean Thermal comfort indices [THI, BGHI and RTL (W m 2)] were
values of annual rainfall and temperature are 1974 mm and 24.7 � C, calculated based on the weather data according to equations (1)–(3):
respectively (Souza et al., 2013).
THI ¼ Ta þ 0:36 Tdp þ 41:5 (1)
2.2. Experimental systems
BGHI ¼ Tg þ 0:36 Tdp þ 41:5 (2)

In 2011, the experiment was planted as described by Magalha ~es et al.

RTL ¼ σðTr Þ4 (3)
(2019), and continuously monitored by researchers at Embrapa Agro­
ssilvipastoril. The experimental design was a randomized complete where Ta is the air temperature (� C), Tdp is the dew point temperature
block, with ten systems and four replicates, totalling 40 experimental (� C), and Tg is the black globe temperature (� C), while mean radiant
units (2 ha each). Three of the ten systems were selected to be evaluate temperature (Tr) was determined from equation (4):
in this study. In all three systems, the base forage was palisadegrass sffi�
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi�
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi�
ffiffiffiffiffi�
ffiffiffi
{Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster} due to its � Tg
4
(4)
4

abundance as a monoculture pasture within the region (Carvalho et al., Tr ¼ 100 2:51 Vv Tg Ta þ 0:5
100
2019). The systems were (i) pasture under full sunlight (PFS) – grass
monoculture grazed by Nellore steers (beef cattle); (ii) integrated (tri­ where Ta is the air temperature (K), Tg is the black globe temperature
ple-row) livestock-forestry (ILFT) - comprising eucalyptus trees (Euca­ (K), Vv is the wind speed (m s 1), and σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant
lyptus urograndis clone H13) planted in triple-row groves with 3.0 m (5.6703 10 8 W m 2 K 4).
intra-row spacing, 3.5 m inter-row spacing and 30 m between groves Space-time analyses of the dynamics of PAR, THI, BGHI, and RTL in
(overall density of 270 trees ha 1) integrated with grazing pasture as in the three systems throughout the seasons were performed using ArcGIS
PFS. Selective thinning was performed five years after the establishment 10.5 software (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Redlands,
of the system leaving only 50% of the trees (135 trees ha 1), but California, USA) using the natural neighbor method.
maintaining the configuration of triple rows. The last system (iii) was a
integrated (single-row) livestock-forestry system (ILFs) - comprising
eucalyptus trees planted in single rows with 3.0 m intra-row spacing and 2.4. Statistical analysis
37 m between rows (overall density of 90 trees ha 1) integrated with
grazing pasture as in PFS. The forest and pasture components covered, Data were analyzed considering a completely randomized experi­
respectively, 25 and 75% of the total area in both ILF, because initially mental design with repeated measures in time (season of the year) and a
they were planted as described in the IFLT system, and after the pruning 4 � 3 factorial arrangement (season � systems). For the statistical an­
and thinning, the forestry area remains without grass. alyses, days were considered as a random effect. Analysis of variance
was performed through the F test with P < 0.05 and means were
2.3. Microclimate monitoring and estimation of thermal comfort indices compared through the Tukey test with P < 0.05, using the MIXED pro­
cedure of SAS (Littell et al., 2006). To identify the potential of integrated
In three experimental units (one per system), recording stations were systems to reduce areas with high values of thermal indices, the relative
installed to collect weather data during the experimental period and reductions (%) were calculated from the threshold values (THI > 79,
them performing the evaluations in the present study. In order to BGHI > 87, and RTL > 700 W m 2) in each ILF system and PFS.
determine THI, BGHI and RTL indices, the microclimate variables air
temperature (� C), black globe temperature (� C), air relative humidity 3. Results
(%), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; μmol photons m-2 s-1)
and wind speed (m s 1) were monitored continuously in each of the The lowest THI values were observed in the winter, while the highest
systems. For this, the following sensors were used: thermo-hygrometers values were observed in the spring and autumn (Table 1). The mean THI
(HC2–S3, Rotronic, Bassersdorf, Swiss - accuracy: � 0.8% RH, � 0.1 � C), value of ILFT was slightly lower (P < 0.0014) than those in the ILFS and
installed in multi-plate shelters, thermocouples copper-constantan (ac­ PFS, which were similar. Mean BGHI and RTL values decreased in the
curacy: 0.4%) inside a black hollow metallic globe, PQS-1 quantum order PFS > ILFs > ILFT (P < 0.001).
sensor (Kipp & Zonen, Delft, Netherlands - accuracy: � 4 nm), ultrasonic The incidence of PAR was higher in the winter in comparison with

2
C.A.S. Magalh~
aes et al. Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

Fig. 1. Configuration of the integrated livestock-forestry in single rows (ILFS) showing the north-south transect and the positions of the microclimate sensors; view
of ILFT.

meters from the trees in facing north. In contrast, in the low PAR
Table 1
transmission periods of autumn and winter, the lowest PAR transmission
Mean values of comfort indices calculated for the four seasons between 8:00 to
values were observed in facing south in the afternoons, when shade
16:00 in three agricultural systems located in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
projection covered all space between the tree groves in the case of ILFT.
Seasons PFS ILFS ILFT Mean values PAR transmissions varied from 61 to 75% in ILFT and from 78 to 82% in
THI ILFS. In the ILF systems, the highest PAR transmission values occurred in
Winter 76.6 Ba 76.5 Ba 76.3 Ba 76.5 C the spring and the lowest in autumn.
Spring 77.5 Aa 77.4 Aa 77.2 Aa 77.4 A
Space-time maps of THI (Fig. 3) revealed that for all seasons and in
Summer 77.1 Aa 76.8 Ba 76.7 Aa 76.9 B
Autumn 77.4 Aa 77.4 Aa 76.8 Ab 77.2 A all systems, the maximum value of this index was lower than 83. In the
Mean values 77.2 a 77.0 a 76.8 b spring, there were situations in which the THI values in ILF systems were
BGHI
higher than in the PFS system.
Winter 84.6 Ba 83.6 Bb 82.4 Bc 83.5 B Values of BGHI afforded a better representation of the level of
Spring 85.4 Aa 83.7 Bb 83.3 Ab 84.1 A thermal comfort provided by the three systems throughout the seasons
Summer 85.6 Aa 83.4 Bb 83.2 Ab 84.1 A (Fig. 4). Within the monitoring period from 08:00 and 16:00, BGHI
Autumn 85.8 Aa 84.6 Ab 82.9 Ac 84.4 A
values in the PFS system remained above 79 for 7 h in the winter, for 8 h
Mean values 85.4 a 83.8 b 83.0 c
in the spring and summer, and for 7.6 h in the autumn. In contrast, both
RTL (W m 2) ILF systems provided shade zones with lower BGHI values in all four
Winter 708.0 Aa 667.0 Ab 645.3 Ac
673.4 A

Spring 658.0 Ca 618.2 Bb 607.7 Bc

628.0 C seasons. During spring and summer, the zones close to the eucalyptus
Summer 662.2 Ca 616.1 Bb 605.5 Bc
627.9 C trees in facing north exhibited the lowest BGHI values, while in autumn
Autumn 676.4 Ba 625.6 Bb 608.8 Bc
636.9 B
and winter, facing south had the most shaded area.
676.2 a 631.7 b Mean values of RTL varied from 658 W m 2 in spring to 707 W m 2
c
Mean values 616.8

PFS, pasture under full sun; ILFS, integrated livestock-forestrysingle-row in winter, with the most substantial mean reductions in the thermal load
configuration, ILFT, integrated livestock-forestrytriple-row configuration; THI, being recorded for ILFT (10%) and ILFS (7.7%) during autumn (Fig. 5).
temperature-humidity index; BGHI, black globe temperature-humidity index; Values of RTL greater than 700 W m 2 were not observed in the ILF
RTL, thermal radiation load. systems in the spring and summer, whereas in the PFS system, thermal
Mean values bearing different superscript capital letters (columns) and lower­ loads remained above 700 W m 2 for almost 4 h each day, especially
case letters (rows) are significantly different at 5% probability, according to the between 12:00 and 15:00.
Tukey test (P < 0.05).
The monthly average values of each thermal comfort index at noon in
local time represent the most critical thermal conditions for animals that
the other seasons (Fig. 2). The average incidences of PAR in the PFS occur in winter. For RTL, the end of autumn is also a challenging time
system were 1057, 957, 924, and 923 μmol s 1 m 2 for winter, summer, (Fig. 6).
spring, and autumn, respectively. Thermal comfort improvement in the ILFS and ILFT systems can be
PAR transmission values were established in order to assess the assessed based on the reduction of areas that are most critical to animal
amount of PAR transmitted through the tree canopies in the studied performance, i.e., those with indices above the maximum thresholds
systems, which can have an impact on forage production and thermal (Table 2).
stress. During the high PAR transmission periods of spring and summer, The most substantial reductions in critical areas with BGHI >87
the lowest levels were recorded in the mornings under the trees or at few occurred during the spring and summer for the ILFS and ILFT systems,

3
C.A.S. Magalh~
aes et al. Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

Fig. 2. Space-time dynamics of the incidence of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) between 8:00 to 16:00 in three agricultural systems located during four
seasons, in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Abbreviations: PFS, pasture under full sun; ILFS, integrated livestock-forestrysingle-row configuration, ILFT, integrated
livestock-forestry triple-row configuration.

Fig. 3. Space-time dynamics of the temperature-humidity index (THI) between 8:00 to 16:00 in three agricultural systems located during four seasons, in Sinop,
Mato Grosso, Brazil. Abbreviations: PFS, pasture under full sun; ILFS, integrated livestock-forestrysingle-row configuration, ILFT, integrated livestock-forestry triple-
row configuration.

with reductions in the latter reaching some 90%. Regarding RTL, the 4. Discussion
critical areas (>700 W m 2) were reduced considerably in both ILF
systems during winter and autumn, especially in spring and summer Seasonal oscillations in air temperature reached up to 3.3 � C
(100% reduction). Yet, the most challenging heat stress conditions for regardless of the system, and the maximum values were within the range
grazing animals occurred predominately during winter and autumn. considered tolerable to Zebu cattle (Silva, 2008). Some researchers have
reported smaller variations (~2 � C) in agroforestry systems established

4
C.A.S. Magalh~
aes et al. Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

Fig. 4. Space-time dynamics of the black globe temperature-humidity index (BGHI) between 8:00 to 16:00 in three agricultural systems located during four seasons,
in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Abbreviations: PFS, pasture under full sun; ILFS, integrated livestock-forestrysingle-row configuration, ILFT, integrated livestock-
forestry triple-row configuration.

Fig. 5. Space-time dynamics of the radiant thermal load (RTL) between 8:00 to 16:00 in three agricultural systems located during four seasons, in Sinop, Mato
Grosso, Brazil. Abbreviations: PFS, pasture under full sun; ILFS, integrated livestock-forestrysingle-row configuration, ILFT, integrated livestock-forestry triple-row
configuration.

5
C.A.S. Magalh~
aes et al. Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

Fig. 6. Dynamics of the thermal comfort indices in grass monoculture during the year (average of two years), at noon in each month in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Abbreviations: THI, temperature-humidity index; BGHI, black globe temperature-humidity index; RTL, radiant thermal load.

indices above the maximum thresholds were reduced, and such

Table 2
improvement diminished the risk of animals suffering from heat stress.
Percentage reductions in critical areas within the ILFT and ILFS systems in
Since the single-row configuration preserves high PAR transmission,
comparison with the PFS system determined for the four seasons between 8:00 to
16:00, in three agricultural systems located in Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil. which is essential for the development of plants, the crop and or forage
(Gomes et al., 2020; Nascimento et al., 2019) components of the agro­
Seasons THI BGHI RTL
forestry system are less affected (Fig. 2).
ILFS ILFT ILFS ILFT ILFS ILFT The BGHI was a more reliable indicator of thermal discomfort
Winter 20 56 44 60 39 53 because it reflected with greater accuracy the environmental conditions
Spring – – 82 90 100 100 of the systems. For example, the BGHI values in the PFS system sur­
Summer – – 78 83 100 100 passed the threshold of 87 between 11:00 and 12:00 during autumn and
Autumn 28 100 45 70 79 81
winter, and the values were consistent throughout the assessed period.
PFS, pasture under full sun; ILFS, integrated livestock-forestrysingle-row Such stressful conditions undoubtedly affect the animals’ performance,
configuration, ILFT, integrated livestock-forestrytriple-row configuration; THI, but, according to Baeta and Souza (2010), a BGHI value as low as 79
temperature-humidity index; BGHI, black globe temperature-humidity index; already indicates a situation of heat stress for cattle. That means the
RTL, thermal radiation load.
level of thermal comfort in the PFS system is inappropriate for grazing
The thresholds define critical areas: THI >79, BGHI >87 and RTL >700 W m 2
animals during most of the day, and this situation limits productivity.
Even though the BGHI values may exceed 79 in agroforestry systems,
in the southeast (Pezzopane et al., 2015) and south (Vieira-Junior et al., reductions in productivity are minimized because the critical areas
2019) of Brazil. According to Cordeiro et al. (2015), temperatures under (BGHI > 87) are reduced, and shaded zones with BGHI values from 83 to
tree canopies in the tropics are typically some 2–4 � C lower than in areas 87 are available to the animals. High BGHI values (~85) have been also
exposed to direct sunlight. reported by Karvatte et al. (2016) during the winter in pastures located
About PAR incidence, winter is characterized by none or low rainfall in the Central Brazil (Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) but at a
and minimal cloud cover in the southern Amazon region. Incidence of higher latitude (20� S).
PAR decreased considerably during the transitional seasons of spring Thermal comfort is essential for Bos taurus cattle and crossbreeds
and autumn that mark the beginning and the end of the rainy season, because this species is particularly sensitive to the adverse conditions of
respectively. the tropics (Kendall et al., 2006; Nonaka et al., 2008). Heat stress can
The THI was not an adequate indicator of the thermal comfort levels cause serious health problems in the animals and lead to impaired
in the southern Amazon region where temperatures are usually high, metabolism and physiology (Nardone et al., 2006; Schütz et al., 2010).
because it does not take into account the effects of direct sunlight According to Baeta and Souza (2010), BGHI values of around 85 are too
generating high thermal stress, especially in non-adapted animals. high for thermal comfort, whereas Hahn (1985) state that THI values
Vieira-Junior et al. (2019) compared the THI values of two shaded above 83 are critically dangerous and can be considered to constitute an
configurations and one in full sunlight. They reported that, regardless of emergency.
the season, there were no significant differences between the systems Souza et al. (2010) studied the effect of agroforestry systems grazed
despite a decrease in temperature of between 0.4 and 1.6 � C in shaded by Nellore heifers in the south of Brazil during summer months and
areas and the preference of animals for grazing in these protected lo­ reported that the presence of trees modified grazing and resting
cations. Lopes et al. (2016) compared the THI values of integrated behavior with animals remaining under the shade for almost 50% of the
agroforestry systems with that of PFS established in the same region as time. Hence, there is substantial corroborative evidence of beneficial
the present study and verified that the indices were lower in shaded changes in microclimate engendered by agroforestry systems in different
systems, but insufficient to mitigate the effects of microclimate on the Brazilian biomes, most notably concerning the reduction (up to 40%) of
animals. PAR on the pasture (Pezzopane et al., 2015). Changes in microclimate
The BGHI and RTL showed that the presence of trees increased brought about by the presence of trees can improve thermal comfort
thermal comfort by providing shaded areas regardless of whether the indicators, as exemplified by reductions in THI, BGHI and RTL values of
system configuration (single rows of trees spaced 37 m apart or triple- 3.7, 10.2 and 28.3%, respectively (Karvatte et al., 2016), and of RTL
rows spaced 30 m apart). In both ILF systems, the critical areas with values by up to 22% (Pezzopane et al., 2019) with reported decreases of

6
C.A.S. Magalh~
aes et al. Journal of Thermal Biology 91 (2020) 102636

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