Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941

DOI 10.1007/s00484-016-1180-5

ORIGINAL PAPER

Shading effect on microclimate and thermal comfort indexes

in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems
in the Brazilian Midwest
Nivaldo Karvatte Jr. 1 & Elcio Silvério Klosowski 2 & Roberto Giolo de Almeida 3 &
Eduardo Eustáquio Mesquita 2 & Caroline Carvalho de Oliveira 4 & Fabiana Villa Alves 3

Received: 1 June 2015 / Revised: 18 April 2016 / Accepted: 26 April 2016 / Published online: 14 May 2016
# ISB 2016

Abstract The objective of this paper was to perform a micro- of trees in pastures were possible reductions of up to 3.7 % in
climate evaluation and determine the indexes of thermal Temperature and Humidity Index, 10.2 % in the Black Globe
comfort indexes, in sun and shade, in integrated crop- Temperature and Humidity Index, and 28.3 % of the Radiant
livestock-forest systems with different arrangements of Thermal Load in the shade. Thus, one can conclude that the
eucalyptus and native trees, in the Brazilian Midwest. The presence of trees and their arrangement in the systems provide
experiment was conducted at Embrapa Beef Cattle in better microclimate conditions and animal thermal comfort in
Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from pastures.
July to September 2013. The evaluations were conducted on
four consecutive days, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., local time Keywords Ambience . Animal welfare . Eucalyptus . Native
(GMT −4:00), with 1 hour intervals, recording the microcli- trees . Shading . Thermal stress
mate parameters: air temperature (°C), black globe tempera-
ture (°C), wet bulb temperature (°C), relative humidity (%),
and wind speed (m.s−1), for the subsequent calculation of the Introduction
Temperature and Humidity Index, the Black Globe
Temperature and Humidity Index, and the Radiant Thermal Having second largest herd in the country, the Brazilian state
Load. The largest changes in microclimate parameters were of Mato Grosso do Sul is a world reference in the agricultural
found in the full sun, between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., in sector, with approximately 21 million hectares of planted pas-
less dense eucalyptus system, followed by the scattered native tures, 8.5 million animals slaughtered/year and revenues of
trees system, resulting in a maximum Temperature and US$ 312 million in exports of fresh beef (IBGE 2015). The
Humidity Index of 81, Black Globe Temperature and state is also characterized by its territory; about 60 % is located
Humidity Index of 88 and Radiant Thermal Load of within the Cerrado biome, tropical climate with dry winter and
794 W m−2. Therefore, it is observed that with the presence high temperatures all year round. In these regions, grazing
animals are constantly exposed to direct solar radiation, caus-
ing stress and physiological dysfunction compromising the
* Nivaldo Karvatte, Jr. welfare and productivity due to excessive production of heat
nivaldok@[Link] for the control of homeothermy (Aggarwal and Upadhyay
2013; Tripon et al. 2014).
1
State University of West Paraná, UNIOESTE, Marechal Cândido In extensive production systems, the selection of more
Rondon, State of Paraná, Brazil adapted breeds to climate effects associated with the supply
2
Department of Animal Science, UNIOESTE, Marechal Cândido of shade has become efficient management strategies against
Rondon, State of Paraná, Brazil climate effects on animals. The shadow in adequate amounts
3
Embrapa Beef Cattle, Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, helps to reduce the heat load associated with direct solar radi-
Brazil ation, reducing the temperature of the air and promoting in-
4
UFVJM, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, creased humidity in the shadow cast by trees and improving
Diamantina, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil animal welfare.
1934 Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941

Thus, in recent years, the integrated crop-livestock-forest Microclimate records

systems, although initially designed for the recovery of soils
and degraded pastures, have also excelled by improving the To avoid weather variations between systems, were evaluated,
microclimate conditions, mitigating the heat through trees and simultaneously, one paddock of each system per day, in four
contributing to the sustainability of livestock farming in the consecutive days (corresponding to the total number of pad-
tropics with direct effect on the welfare and thermal comfort docks by system), preferably sunny days, in the months of
(Broom et al. 2013). July, August, and September 2013 (dry winter season). Data
However, it is a mistake to consider the uniqueness of were recorded from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time (GMT-
quantitative and qualitative characteristics of natural shading, 04:00), in hourly intervals between evaluations, according to
particularly in integration systems, as the efficiency of the Guiselini et al. (1999) and Gurgel et al. (2012). To determine
understory microclimate modification is linked mainly to the the air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%), digital
morphological characteristics of the tree species used as well datalogger thermo-hygrometers (Instrutherm®, HT-500) (hu-
as to its density (Schumacher and Poggiani 1993; Silva and midity 0.0 to 100.0 % scale; 3 % precision, and 0.1 % resolu-
Maia 2013). tion; and temperature −40.0 to 70.0 °C scale; −20.0 to 50.0 °C
The objective of the research was to evaluate the microcli- precision, and 0.1 °C resolution) were inserted into perforated
mate and determine the thermal comfort indexes, in sun and PVC pipes (with 0.15 m lengths, 0.40 m diameter, with 12
shade, in integrated systems with different arrangements of holes drilled around the pipe), as described by Trumbo et al.
eucalyptus and native trees in the Brazilian Midwest. (2012). The wet bulb temperatures (°C) were obtained from a
psychrometric visual reading set (Incoterm®, with a −10.0 to
+50.0 °C scale). To measure the black globe temperature (°C),
the adopted methodology was that proposed by Souza et al.
Materials and methods
(2002), using digital datalogger thermo-hygrometers
(Instrutherm®, HT-500) inserted into dim black plastic floats
Location and climate pattern
(PVC) with 0.15 m diameter. The wind speed (m s−1) was
measured with a portable digital anemometer (Homis®,
The experiment took place at the Brazilian Agricultural
HMM 489; 0.4 to 30.0 m s−1 scale; >20.0 m s−1 precision;
Research Corporation—Embrapa Beef Cattle, located in
0.1 m s−1 resolution) for 3 min with the devices’ sensors facing
Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, at 20°
the wind direction.
27′ south latitude, 54°37′ west longitude, and 530 m above sea
The pieces of equipment were placed in full sun (A) and in
level. According to Köppen’s (1948) classification, the weath-
the shadow cast by trees (B), in two replications for 2.0 m
er pattern in the region is in the transition zone between warm
from the tree lines and 1.3 m above the ground (corresponding
temperate (CFA) and tropical wet (Aw) climates, with rainfalls
to the height of the mass center of adult beef cattle) (Fig. 1),
and average annual temperatures of 1560 mm and 23 °C,
horizontally displaced according to the shadow cast by trees
respectively.
and the zenith angle variation. For fixation, in systems with
eucalyptus (a; ICLF-1 and ICLF-2), in each paddock it has
Experimental area been extended two raffia ribbons between two rows of trees,
where the equipments already calibrated and programmed
The experimental area, with 18 ha-1, consists of three integrated were fixed. In the area with scattered native trees (b; ICLF-
systems, so that each system is subdivided in four paddocks 3), they were allocated in cages exclusion, to form a support
with 1.5 ha-1, established in 2008 with Piatã grass (Brachiaria structure at the desired height (1.3 m). At the end of each day
brizantha cv. BRS Piata), as follows: (i) integrated crop- evaluation, the equipments were relocated to the subsequent
livestock-forest system 1 (ICLF-1) with 14 m between tree paddock.
rows and a density of 357 trees/ha-1; (ii) integrated crop- The meteorological data from the experimental environ-
livestock-forest system 2 (ICLF-2), with 22 m between tree ment were collected daily by a weather station (A702—
rows and a density of 227 trees/ha-1; and (iii) integrated crop- INMET), 3 km distance from the experimental area.
livestock-forest system 3 (ICLF-3), with five scattered native
Cerrado trees/ha-1. The tree component of ICLF-1 and ICLF-2 Thermal comfort indexes
is eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla clone H 13),
with a 2 m space between trees, an average height of 26 m in The thermal comfort indexes, recommended by Guiselini
August 2013, and pruned up to 6 m high. From the three spe- et al. (1999); Gurgel et al. (2012); Navarini et al. (2009), and
cies present in ICLF-3, two were chosen for evaluation due to Silva and Maia (2013), were calculated for each time and
its greatest occurrence: Cambará (Gochnatia polymorpha place (shade and full sun), for the 3 months of evaluation,
Less.) and Cumbaru (Dipteryx alata Vog). and for the three integrated systems.
Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941 1935

Fig. 1 Schematic representation

for fixation of equipment, in a
integrated crop-livestock, forest
systems, with eucalyptus (ICLF-1
and ICLF-2), and b integrated
crop-livestock-forest system, with
scattered native trees (ICLF-3).
Allocated in full sun (A) and in
tree casts shadows (B), with two
replications

The Temperature and Humidity Index (Thom 1958) was Experimental design and statistical analysis
determined by Eq. (1):
The experimental design was randomized block (months:
THI ¼ DBT þ 0:36 WBT þ 41:5 ð1Þ July, August, and September) arranged in a split-split-split-
plot scheme, with four replications (corresponding to pad-
docks). The split-plots corresponded to integrated systems
where: (ICLF-1, ICLF-2, and ICLF-3), split-split-plots to places
THI - Temperature and Humidity Index, dimensionless (shade and sun), and split-split-split-plots to schedules (from
DBT - dry-bulb temperature, °C; and, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), with the following mathematical
WBT - wet bulb temperature, °C. model:
The Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index
(Buffington et al. 1981), was estimated according to Eq. (2):
Yijklm ¼ μ þ Mi þ eij þ Sk þ MSik þ eijk þ Pl þ MPil
BGHI ¼ TBG þ 0:36 WBT þ 41:5 ð2Þ
þ SPkl þ MSPikl þ eijkl þ Hm þ MHim þ PHlm
where: þ SHkm þ MPHilm þ MSHikm þ SPHklm
BGHI - Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index,
dimensionless þ MSPHiklm þ eijklm
TBG - black globe temperature, °C; and,
WBT - wet bulb temperature, °C.
Equation (3), proposed by Esmay (1979), was used to de- Yijklm: response variable; μ: overall mean; Mi: effect of
termine the radiant thermal load: the month; eij: error (a); Sk: effect of the systems; MSik:
interaction effect of month × systems; eijk: error (b); Pl:
RTL (MRT)4 e f f e c t o f t h e p l a c e ; M P i l : i n t e r a c t i o n e ff e c t o f
where: month × place; SPkl: interaction effect of
RTL - Radiant Thermal Load, Wm−2; systems × place; MSPikl: interaction effect of
- Stefan-Boltzmann constant 5,67.10−8 K−4; and months × systems × place; eijkl: error (c); Hm: effect of
MRT - mean radiant temperature, K. the hour; MHim: interaction effect of month × hour; PHlm:
interaction effect of place × hour; SHkm: interaction effect
 4 ! of systems × hour; MPH i l m : interaction effect of
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi TBG
MRT ¼ 100 √ 2:51 WsðTBG−DBTÞ þ
4
ð4Þ month × place × hour; MSH ikm : interaction effect of
100
month × systems × hour; SPH klm: interaction effect of
systems × place × hour; MSPHiklm: interaction effect of
where: month × systems × place × hour; eijklm: error (d).
Ws - wind speed, m s−1; Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and
TBG - black globe temperature, °C; regression through the statistical application SAS 9.0 (2002),
DBT - dry-bulb temperature, °C. adopting a 5 % level of probability.
1936 Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941

Fig. 2 Climate monthly average 275 40

relative humidity (%)

250 35
in the experimental environment

Air temperature
225

(mm/month) and
(*months of evaluation). Records 200 30
175

Rainfall
collected daily by weather station 25

(°C)
150 20
(A702—INMET) 125
100 15
75 10
50
25 5
0 0

Average rainfall (mm/month) Average relative humidity (%)

Maximum temperature (°C) Minimum temperature (°C)

Results eucalyptus (ICLF-2), with an air temperature of 37.8 °C

and black globe temperature of 42.9 °C. Such microcli-
Microclimate variables mate parameters showed significant reductions in the
shade, thus the ICLF-1 system, with dense eucalyptus,
Figure 2 shows the climate monthly average in the experimen- showed lower air temperature (33.6 °C) and black globe
tal area throughout year 2013. The months of July, August, temperature (34.8 °C), followed by ICLF-3 system, with
and September (data collection period) were characterized by scattered native trees with 34.6 °C for air temperature and
high temperatures, medium to low air humidity and lack of 35.7 °C for black globe temperature, and ICLF-2 system,
rain, mainly in July and August. with less dense eucalyptus with 35.1 °C air temperature
Thereby, the largest air temperature and black globe and 35.9 °C black globe temperature. Therefore, it is clear
temperature values were observed in the month of that there has been chronic exposure of animals to high
September, in the sun, between 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 temperatures (Morais et al. 2008).
p.m. in all production systems (Table 1). The system with The lower relative humidity values were recorded at
scattered native trees (ICLF-3) showed the highest aver- the same time interval (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.), in the
age of air temperature (43.5 °C) and black globe temper- sun, with rates of 15.2, 18.9, and 20.4 % for ICLF-3,
ature (48.2 °C), followed by system with dense eucalyptus ICLF-1, and ICLF-2 systems, respectively (Table 2). It
(ICLF-1), with an air temperature of 39.4 °C and black should be emphasized that a higher relative humidity oc-
globe temperature of 48.3 °C, and system less dense curred in the dense eucalyptus system (ICLF-1). For

Table 1 Month average of air temperature (Ta, °C), black globe temperature (Tbg, °C), in sun and shade, in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems
containing eucalyptus (ICLF-1and ICLF-2) and native trees (ICLF-3), in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

Systems Months Place Ta (°C) Tbg (°C)

Hours Hours

8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5

ICLF-1 July Sun 21.0 20.2 20.6 22.2 22.7 23.7 23.6 22.5 21.6 19.3 24.0 23.5 23.0 25.3 25.6 27.1 26.2 24.1 22.7 19.1
Shade 20.0 19.5 20.0 21.4 22.1 22.7 22.8 22.2 21.5 19.8 20.5 20.6 21.2 23.0 23.7 24.4 24.2 23.1 21.9 19.7
August Sun 33.7 36.3 37.4 37.5 38.3 37.6 36.1 31.0 23.1 19.3 41.3 43.4 46.0 46.1 47.1 47.5 43.6 41.9 27.7 19.6
Shade 26.9 29.9 31.5 32.7 31.9 31.8 31.2 30.6 25.4 21.0 28.0 35.8 32.0 35.2 32.6 33.0 32.2 31.6 25.0 21.0
September Sun 32.9 34.0 35.7 37.4 38.7 39.4 38.1 36.9 28.8 25.1 37.8 41.5 44.0 46.8 48.3 47.3 43.7 41.4 35.0 26.0
Shade 29.3 32.3 32.8 33.6 33.6 33.7 33.8 33.0 30.1 28.3 32.2 33.9 34.8 35.4 34.8 35.0 36.4 31.3 27.8 26.2
ICLF-2 July Sun 19.1 19.5 20.3 21.7 22.5 23.2 23.2 22.2 21.0 19.4 19.8 21.0 21.9 23.8 24.5 25.7 25.2 23.4 21.4 19.1
Shade 19.2 19.5 20.3 21.8 22.4 22.9 23.0 22.1 21.1 19.5 20.2 21.1 21.8 23.6 24.1 24.9 24.5 23.0 21.5 19.5
August Sun 27.9 30.7 35.2 35.3 36.6 35.2 34.0 31.1 26.9 23.0 29.2 32.5 41.8 43.5 42.2 39.7 38.8 32.7 27.0 23.0
Shade 28.4 32.1 32.9 32.9 33.2 32.3 31.5 30.8 26.9 23.5 31.3 38.2 38.4 35.4 36.4 34.3 33.3 32.2 26.7 23.4
September Sun 32.3 33.9 36.5 37.2 37.8 36.9 36.7 35.7 33.0 27.4 33.6 35.8 41.4 38.9 42.9 38.7 40.5 41.0 41.8 27.6
Shade 29.6 31.9 34.2 37.4 35.1 33.8 34.9 32.7 30.8 27.7 34.9 37.3 42.1 40.3 35.9 38.8 35.1 32.9 27.9 26.1
ICLF-3 July Sun 19.4 19.6 20.2 21.6 22.3 23.2 23.1 22.3 21.2 19.5 21.5 22.1 22.4 24.4 25.2 26.6 25.4 23.5 21.9 19.3
Shade 19.4 19.7 20.2 21.7 22.4 23.3 23.3 22.4 21.2 19.6 21.0 21.8 21.9 24.0 24.6 25.8 25.3 23.6 21.6 19.3
August Sun 32.3 36.1 35.3 37.2 37.5 35.4 33.8 31.0 25.5 22.6 37.9 40.4 41.2 41.7 42.0 40.4 37.6 37.0 27.6 22.9
Shade 29.5 32.2 35.2 33.6 33.8 32.9 31.8 29.2 25.4 23.6 29.7 34.3 39.8 35.6 36.5 35.2 34.6 32.5 27.1 23.7
September Sun 32.0 33.6 36.2 36.7 38.6 43.5 41.8 39.4 32.7 26.9 35.5 35.1 40.7 38.0 39.7 48.2 46.1 44.7 36.6 27.0
Shade 29.9 32.6 34.6 35.8 36.2 34.6 34.7 33.1 30.5 27.2 34.0 35.8 40.1 40.5 36.0 35.7 34.2 31.9 27.1 25.3
Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941 1937

Table 2 Month average of relative humidity (RH, %) and wind speed (Ws, m.s−1), in sun and shade, in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems
containing eucalyptus (ICLF-1and ICLF-2) and native trees (ICLF-3), in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

Systems Months Place RH (%) Ws (m.s−1)

Hours Hours

8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5

ICLF-1 July Sun 76.7 79.5 78.3 73.1 71.8 69.8 69.4 73.5 77.3 84.9 2.2 2.4 2.3 2.3 3.0 2.0 2.2 1.8 1.9 2.1
Shade 80.6 82.1 80.4 75.7 73.8 72.7 71.8 74.6 78.0 84.0 2.5 2.0 2.8 1.4 3.1 2.4 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.3
August Sun 30.1 26.9 24.5 22.6 23.0 24.0 24.5 34.6 51.7 60.0 1.3 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.0
Shade 39.7 34.6 30.8 26.5 26.9 28.4 28.7 31.1 46.2 55.2 1.6 0.8 0.9 0.4 1.7 0.5 0.3 0.7 0.2 0.0
September Sun 29.3 26.0 24.9 23.3 21.8 19.9 19.5 18.9 30.5 32.8 1.7 2.7 3.5 2.2 2.1 1.7 0.9 0.3 2.0 0.0
Shade 33.7 28.3 27.1 26.2 26.2 23.7 25.2 23.2 29.8 26.9 2.4 4.8 3.7 3.8 3.2 2.5 1.4 1.2 1.4 0.0
ICLF-2 July Sun 83.4 81.8 79.7 75.2 73.8 71.8 71.6 75.5 79.9 84.7 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.4
Shade 83.5 82.1 79.9 75.5 74.5 72.9 72.2 75.7 79.6 84.9 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.2
August Sun 37.4 30.8 24.8 23.7 21.4 23.4 24.7 29.2 36.5 52.1 1.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 1.0 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Shade 36.4 30.8 28.5 26.2 25.2 26.6 28.2 29.9 38.2 49.8 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.7 0.4 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
September Sun 28.8 26.8 23.4 22.2 20.4 21.1 20.4 23.0 28.3 30.5 0.6 2.1 1.4 1.3 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1
Shade 31.6 30.0 26.0 21.9 23.2 24.5 23.3 24.2 29.4 30.5 0.7 2.1 1.3 1.9 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.0
ICLF-3 July Sun 81.6 81.2 79.3 74.8 73.4 70.9 70.9 74.5 78.4 84.1 1.3 2.6 1.6 1.1 0.5 1.3 1.3 1.5 0.8 0.9
Shade 81.8 81.8 80.2 75.3 73.5 71.4 71.1 74.4 79.1 84.5 1.2 1.6 2.2 1.6 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.2 0.8
August Sun 31.7 25.5 23.8 20.6 21.0 22.4 24.3 29.5 42.0 48.5 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.3 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
Shade 34.4 29.5 24.0 23.8 24.2 25.3 26.8 32.3 41.1 44.1 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.3 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
September Sun 29.4 26.3 24.0 23.7 20.2 15.2 16.5 16.8 26.0 28.9 1.1 2.5 2.2 1.3 2.2 0.5 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.0
Shade 32.7 27.5 25.8 24.3 22.2 22.0 22.8 22.4 29.4 29.8 1.2 2.8 2.5 2.0 1.3 1.0 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.0

Baêta and Souza (2010), environments with relative hu- the evaluated systems. In shade, the largest recorded estimates
midity between 60 and 70 % are considered as comfort- were 34.3 °C for both systems with eucalyptus dense (ICLF-
able. However, high humidity combined with high tem- 1) and less dense (ICLF-2) and 33.2 °C for the system with
peratures, heat loss by sweating processes become ineffi- scattered native trees (ICLF-3), at 12:00 p.m.
cient, therefore, the animal requires more energy expendi-
ture for thermoregulation. The wind speed varied widely Thermal comfort indexes
throughout the day and between systems (Table 2), but
they were always greater in the system with scattered The benefits of shading on the Temperature and Humidity
native trees (ICLF-3), easing the heat sensation imposed Index can be observed in Table 5, with significant quadratic
by higher air temperatures during the study period. With responses (P < 0.05) for systems and local conditions accord-
the exception of September, the values found themselves ing to time. The highest environmental thermal condition was
within the limits considered comfortable (from 1.38 to at 12:00 p.m., with maximum values in the sun for the system
2.22 m s−1) by Baêta and Souza (2010). with dense eucalyptus (80, ICLF-1), followed by system with
Significant quadratic responses (P < 0.05) were observed less dense eucalyptus (81, ICLF-2), and system with scattered
for air temperature and wet bulb temperature depending on the native trees (81, ICLF-3) and considerable reductions in the
time and sampling, in sun and shade conditions (Table 3). In shade in the systems with different arrangement of eucalyptus
all evaluated periods, the highest averages were those obtain- (78, ICLF-1 and 79, ICLF-2) and scattered native trees (78,
ed in the sun, with considerable reductions in the shade. The ICLF-3), which obtained the best thermal comfort condition in
maximum values of air temperature and wet bulb temperature shade at all times.
registered in the shade were 32.0 and 23.2 °C, respectively, at The Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index showed
12:00 p.m. The results were possibly influenced by the high significant quadratic response (P < 0.05) depending on time
insolation during the evaluation period. for system and location (Table 5). The best comfort conditions
Significant quadratic responses (P < 0.05) were found for evaluated by index were obtained in shade (79) for scattered
black globe temperature depending on the system and local native trees (ICLF-3), and 81 for different arrangement of
conditions (Table 4). The highest averages were obtained in eucalyptus (ICLF-1 and ICLF −2) and the higher ones were
the sun, influenced by the high incidence of solar radiation in obtained in sun (88 in ICLF-3; 85 in ICLF-2 and 83 in ICLF-
1938 Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941

Table 3 Air temperature (Ta, °C)

and wet bulb temperature (Tbw, Variables Place Hours R2
°C), in sun and shade, from 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time, 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5
GMT-4:00), in integrated crop-
livestock-forest systems, in Ta (°C) Sun 28.4 30.9 32.7 33.8 34.1 33.6 32.4 30.4 27.7 24.2 0.98
Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Shade 27.4 29.4 30.8 31.7 32.0 31.7 30.8 29.3 27.3 24.7 0.99
Tbw (°C) Sun 20.6 22.6 24.0 24.9 25.1 24.8 23.9 22.5 20.4 17.8 0.98
Shade 19.8 21.3 22.3 23.0 23.2 23.0 22.4 21.3 19.9 18.0 0.99

1), always at 12:00 p.m., with noticeable reduction in the peaks of 43.5 °C at 1:00 p.m. in September. Moore et al.
evening, as expected. (2012) warn that high levels of air temperature, solar radiation,
The variations observed in air temperature, black globe and humidity provide an uncomfortable thermal environment,
temperature, and wind speed (Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4) throughout demanding compensation systems from the animals to main-
the experimental period significantly influenced the Radiant tain homeothermy, even from more adapted ones. Even
Thermal Load with significant quadratic responses (P < 0.05). though such mechanisms are efficient, they impose an energy
The highest Radiant Thermal Load values were found at 12:00 cost and, therefore, a fall in productivity (Mader et al. 2010).
p.m. on every month, system, and location (Table 6). The In this sense, shades in adequate amounts serve as protection
Radiant Thermal Load variation between systems was 422 to against thermal radiation because they reduce the heat load
654 W m−2 in July, from 423 to 660 W m−2 in August, and 446 associated with solar radiation (Schütz et al. 2010).
to 794 W m−2 in September. The Radiant Thermal Load is In this study, the approach of the spring equinox and the
closely related to heat exchange by radiation between animals increased photoperiod were possibly responsible for the
and environment, so in tropical regions, the lowest possible higher values of microclimate variables in September. In this
values of Radiant Thermal Load are desirable (Silva 2000). In case, one notes the importance of the tree component in im-
this work, the Radiant Thermal Load was consistently high proving the microclimate in tropical pastures considering the
throughout the experimental period. This result underscores values of air temperatures in the shade, in all production sys-
the relevance of environmental management in order to protect tems, with 8.9 °C for scattered native trees (ICLF-3) at 1:00
the animals against direct solar radiation so they are able to p.m., 5.7 °C for dense eucalyptus (ICLF-1) at 1:00 p.m., and
better withstand these climatic peculiarities (Morais et al. 2.7 °C for less dense eucalyptus (ICLF-2) at 12:00 p.m., lower
2008). In this case, all the systems’ trees were able to reduce than in the sun, in this case, in the shade of scattered native
the Radiant Thermal Load in the shade, in every month. trees (ICLF-3), at 1:00 p.m., the air temperature was 20.4 %
lower than in the sun, consequently, the black globe tempera-
ture also decreased by 26.0 % compared to the sun (Table 1).
Discussion In the shadow, in September, there was also an increase of 4.5,
3.9, and 1.4 % in the relative humidity of the air in, ICLF-3,
It should be noted that, even in the winter season in the ICLF-1, and ICLF-2 systems, respectively (Table 2). It should
Southern hemisphere, between July and September, the air be noted the importance of spacing between trees and rows to
temperatures recorded in the sun were superior to that consid- allow heat exchange in the understory. In this study, the
ered critical (35 °C) by Baêta and Souza (2010) for Zebu, with highest wind speed was measured in scattered native trees

Table 4 Black globe temperatures (Tbg, °C), in sun and shade, in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems containing eucalyptus (ICLF-1 and ICLF-2)
and native trees (ICLF-3), from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time, GMT-04:00), in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

Variable Systems Place Hours R2

8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5

Tbg (°C) ICLF-1 Sun 28.0 31.7 34.4 36.1 36.7 36.4 35.0 32.7 29.4 25.0 0.97
Shade 29.0 31.4 33.1 34.1 34.3 33.9 32.7 30.8 28.2 24.8 0.99
ICLF-2 Sun 30.3 33.9 36.5 38.1 38.6 38.0 36.3 33.6 29.9 25.1 0.95
Shade 28.9 31.4 33.1 34.1 34.3 33.8 32.6 30.6 27.8 24.3 0.98
ICLF-3 Sun 33.0 36.9 39.6 41.1 41.4 40.4 38.2 34.8 30.1 24.2 0.96
Shade 27.8 30.2 31.8 32.8 33.2 32.8 31.8 30.1 27.7 24.6 0.95
Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941 1939

Table. 5 Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and Black Globe convection between them and the environment, reducing the
Temperature and Humidity Index (BGHI), in sun and shade, in
thermal stress resulting from the recorded high temperatures
integrated crop-livestock-forest systems containing eucalyptus (ICLF-1
and ICLF-2) and native trees (ICLF-3), from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local (Baêta and Souza 2010).
time, GMT-4:00), in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil As expected and observed in this study, the differences and
respective efficiencies of tree species in altering the microcli-
System Place Hour R2
mate are due to the canopies’ structure and format: the dense
8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 and larger the canopies and the lower the heat load associated
with solar radiation in the systems. Thus, the round shape of
Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) the canopies of scattered native trees (Cambará and Cumbaru,
ICLF-1 Sun 74 76 78 79 80 79 78 77 74 71 0.98 ICLF-3 system) made it possible to reduce approximately
Shade 74 76 77 78 78 78 77 76 74 71 0.99 20 % of the black globe temperature in the shade compared
ICLF-2 Sun 75 78 79 80 81 80 79 77 74 70 0.98 to the sun (41.4 °C), while the eucalyptus (ICLF-1 and ICLF-2
Shade 74 76 78 78 79 78 77 76 73 71 0.99 systems) reduced less (7.1 % and 11.1 %), to according
ICLF-3 Sun 76 78 80 81 81 80 79 77 73 70 0.98 Table 4. In the case of the eucalyptus, its ellipsoidal shape,
Shade 73 75 77 77 78 78 77 75 73 71 0.96 with spaced branches, facilitates the solar incidence on the
Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index (BGHI) surface of the soil, with less radiation-blocking and increased
ICLF-1 Sun 74 78 81 82 83 83 81 79 76 71 0.97 energy flow. Indeed, according to Schumacher and Poggiani
Shade 75 78 79 80 81 80 79 77 74 71 0.99 (1993), the incident sunlight in areas with eucalyptus is greatly
ICLF-2 Sun 77 80 83 84 85 84 83 80 76 71 0.95 reduced, but slightly changed qualitatively, reaching the forest
Shade 75 78 79 80 81 80 79 77 74 70 0.98 canopy and being reflected back to the environment. In broad-
ICLF-3 Sun 80 84 86 88 88 87 85 81 76 70 0.97 leaf trees such as Cambará and Cumbaru (ICLF-3), however,
Shade 74 77 78 79 79 79 78 76 74 71 0.95 the light undergoes selective absorption, modifying its use and
even the photosynthetic processes. Interestingly, the tree com-
ponent is able to also modify the environment near the tree
system (ICLF-3), followed by less dense eucalyptus system beyond the shaded area (Abreu and Labaki 2010).
(ICLF-2). Although this study did not focus on the direct When evaluating pine trees (Pinus taeda L.) in open sky
assessment of animals, the low density of trees in the systems and in 15 × 3 and 9 × 3 m spacing, in Parana (Brazil), a region
would probably favor thermal exchanges by conduction and of sub-tropical climate, Soares et al. (2009) obtained similar

Table. 6 Radiant Thermal Load

(RTL), in July, August, and Radiant Thermal Load (W m−2)
September, in sun and shade, in
integrated crop-livestock-forest July
systems containing eucalyptus System Place Hour R2
(ICLF-1 and ICLF-2) and native 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5
trees (ICLF-3), from 8:00 a.m. to ICLF-1 Sun 508 544 572 590 599 599 590 571 544 507 0.92
Shade 440 464 481 492 498 497 490 477 458 433 0.92
5:00 p.m. (local time, GMT-
ICLF-2 Sun 463 517 556 581 591 586 567 533 485 422 0.92
04:00), in Campo Grande, MS,
Shade 448 470 486 497 501 499 492 478 459 433 0.96
Brazil
ICLF-3 Sun 478 550 603 638 654 651 630 590 531 454 0.85
Shade 442 464 480 491 497 497 491 480 464 442 0.88
August
System Place Hour R2
8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5
ICLF-1 Sun 477 525 559 580 588 582 562 530 483 424 0.9
Shade 525 546 559 564 561 550 531 504 470 427 0.97
ICLF-2 Sun 525 554 574 584 585 576 558 530 492 445 0.89
Shade 494 522 541 551 554 547 533 510 479 439 0.99
ICLF-3 Sun 593 628 651 660 657 640 611 569 513 445 0.91
Shade 509 532 546 552 551 541 524 498 465 423 0.95
September
System Place Hour R2
8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5
ICLF-1 Sun 538 573 598 612 616 609 592 565 527 479 0.77
Shade 524 546 561 569 570 564 551 531 504 471 0.85
ICLF-2 Sun 572 602 623 634 635 627 609 581 543 496 0.56
Shade 545 564 576 580 577 566 547 521 488 446 0.74
ICLF-3 Sun 703 753 783 794 784 755 706 637 548 439 0.97
Shade 515 537 551 559 560 554 542 523 498 465 0.91
1940 Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941

results to those of this study, in which planting fields with 4.7 %, and dense eucalyptus system (ICLF-1), with 2.4 %, at
fewer trees showed reductions in air temperature values (an 12:00 a.m. (Table 5). However, despite the reduction of Black
average of 21.6 °C). According to the authors, a higher density Globe and Humidity Index values in the shade, the environ-
of trees hinders the wind movement. Silva et al. (2010) regis- ments were still in thermal discomfort for cattle, since they
tered lower air temperature (26.7 °C) and wet bulb tempera- were classified as ranging from hazardous to emergency con-
ture (21.3 °C) under the shade of Acacia holosericea, with a ditions, according to Baêta (1985). When assessing the shad-
13.6 % increment in the sun for air temperature (30.9 °C) and ow of unspecified native trees in pastures of the southeast
3.2 % for wet bulb temperature (22.0 °C), corroborating the region of the country. Ablas et al. (2007) found Black Globe
fact that these trees are able to intercept part of the solar radi- and Humidity Index values of 87 and 89 in shade and sun,
ation. In this study, from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the sun, respectively. Souza et al. (2007) achieved extremely high
there was an increase of air temperature (6.1 %) and wet bulb Black Globe and Humidity Index values in sun (98) and in
temperature (7.6 %), to according Table 3. shade (88), indicating heat stress for Sindhi cattle in the semi-
Ferreira et al. (2011a) found similar results in silvopastoral arid region of the state of Paraíba, Brazil.
systems in northern Rio de Janeiro (southeastern Brazil) with According to Silva (2006), the presence of trees in pastures
Santa Ines sheep, where the black globe temperature was directly affects the energy balance of a system and thus they
13.2 % lower in the shade (32.9 °C vs 37.9 °C). More com- can intercept up to 80 % of incident radiation, corresponding
fortable temperature conditions directly benefit the animals. In to a reduction of up to 30 % in the Radiant Thermal Load. In
this regard, Ferreira et al. (2006) determined the physiological fact, in this study, at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., the scattered
parameters of crossbred cattle subjected to heat stress and native trees (ICLF-3) provided a 24.0 % reduction in
observed conditions of comfort and severe heat stress when Radiant Thermal Load in July, 16.3 % in August, and
black globe temperature was 23 and 44 °C, respectively. 29.6 % in September. Of all densities, the less dense eucalyp-
For animal thermal comfort, Baêta and Souza (2010) found tus system (ICLF-2) proved to be more efficient reducing the
that Temperature and Humidity Index values lower than or Radiant Thermal Load in 15.2 % in July, 5.3 % in August, and
equal to 70 indicated non-stressful environments; between 8.5 % in September compared to dense eucalyptus system
71 and 78 were considered critical; 79 to 83 indicated a dan- (ICLF-1), with 17.0 % in July, 4.6 % in August, and 7.5 %
gerous condition; and above 83, an emergency one. in September (Table 6). In the state of Paraná, Baliscei et al.
According to Table 5, the Temperature and Humidity Index (2013) found, at 12:00 p.m., average Radiant Thermal Load
obtained ranged from critical to dangerous, directly influenced values of 639.8 W m−2 in the silvopastoral system and
by high air temperature and wet bulb temperature checked in 778.4 W m−2 in the unshaded treatment, corresponding to a
the experimental period (Tables 1 and 3). However, at 12.00 reduction of 17.8 % of the incident thermal load in the system.
a.m., the scattered native trees system (ICLF-3) was able to In Pernambuco, Souza et al. (2010) found similar results, with
mitigate the heat, decreasing in 3.7 % the Temperature and a maximum value of 763.5 W m−2 at 1:00 p.m. in the sun and
Humidity Index (Table 5), followed by less dense eucalyptus 530.2 W m−2 at 2:00 p.m. in the shade, reinforcing the impor-
system (ICLF-2) and the dense eucalyptus system (ICLF-1) tance of shading in the reduction of the Radiant Thermal Load
with increase of 2.5 %. on animals. When assessing the shadow quality given by
Other Brazilian authors also found quite alarming situa- white cedar (Melia azedarach L.), white leadtree (Leucaena
tions for pasture-bred cattle in tropical regions. In pastures in leucocephala Lam.), sun Bengal almond (Terminalia catappa
the state of Paraná, with different conditions of natural shad- L.), and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris SCH.) in pastures in
ing, Navarini et al. (2009) determined Temperature and Piracicaba, Brazil, Guiselini et al. (1999) also found lower
Humidity Index values similar to those found in this study, radiant thermal load in the shade (546.7 W m−2 at 2:00 p.m.).
from January to February (summer), in small groves of Although the calculated thermal comfort indexes still dem-
Guajuvira (76) and in full sun (80), but at 3:00 p.m. onstrate possible discomfort for animals raised in tropical pas-
Evaluating native species as wilco (Anadenanthera colubrine tures, it is observed that the presence of trees is paramount to
Vell.), rose pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), Brazilian the improvement of a productive thermal environment, espe-
copal (Hymenaea courbaril L.), ipe tree (Tabebuia alba cially when dispersed or in lower density.
Cham.), and cumbaru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) dispersed in pas-
tures in the month of May (autumn), Ferreira et al. (2011b)
determined average values of Temperature and Humidity Conclusion
Index between 74 and 78 in the shade, and 82 in full sun.
For the Black Globe and Humidity Index, the shade of The integrated crop-livestock-forest systems promoted bene-
scattered native trees (ICLF-3) was the one with the best con- ficial microclimate changes to the grazing animals, in the
ditions for thermal comfort, with a reduction of 10.2 %, Brazilian Midwest. The systems with less dense eucalyptus
followed by the less dense eucalyptus system (ICLF-2), with (ICLF-2) and scattered native trees (ICLF-3) provided better
Int J Biometeorol (2016) 60:1933–1941 1941

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