Dry tropical forests have a high diversity of local tree species with forage potential; these trees can be a strategic resource in the design of more sustainable livestock systems. The forage potential of sixteen selected tree species was evaluated in silvopastoral systems in Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico. Available biomass and nutritional quality of leaves and fruits consumed by cattle were estimated in the rainy and dry seasons. General and specific allometric models were generated in order to estimate potential biomass. Average available foliage was 0.96 ± 4.9 kg DM/tree, with a crude protein content of 148 ± 46 g/kg. Average biomass of fruits was 1.8 ± 3.7 kg DM/tree, with a crude protein content of 110 ± 54 g/kg. The best allometric models for foliage include canopy cover as a predictor, and canopy cover, height and base area in the case of fruits. Some of the evaluated species, such as Leucaena lanceolata, Guazuma ulmifolia, Ceasalpinia coriaria and Hura polyandra have outstanding forage potential, as they produce important amounts of foliage and fruits with a high nutritive value. They can therefore be recommended for use in livestock systems of the region to diversify grasslands and other agroforestry practices. Allometric models and nutritional analyses proved essential tools to estimate the potential contribution of trees to livestock feeding in the dry tropics, therefore assisting decision making in terms of the most appropriate species for silvopastoral systems.

干燥的热带森林具有高度多样性的当地树种，具有牧草潜力；这些树木可以成为设计更可持续的畜牧系统的战略资源。在墨西哥哈利斯科州 Chamela 的林牧系统中评估了 16 种选定树种的牧草潜力。在雨季和旱季估计牛消耗的叶子和果实的可用生物量和营养质量。生成通用和特定异速生长模型以估计潜在的生物量。平均可用树叶为 0.96 ± 4.9 kg DM/树，粗蛋白含量为 148 ± 46 g/kg。果实的平均生物量为 1.8 ± 3.7 kg DM/树，粗蛋白含量为 110 ± 54 g/kg。叶子的最佳异速生长模型包括作为预测因子的冠层覆盖，以及在水果的情况下的冠层覆盖、高度和基部面积。Leucaena lanceolata、Guazuma ulmifolia、Ceasalpinia coriaria和Hura polyandra具有突出的牧草潜力，因为它们产生大量具有高营养价值的叶子和果实。因此，可以推荐将它们用于该地区的畜牧系统，以使草原和其他农林业实践多样化。异速生长模型和营养分析证明是评估树木对干旱热带地区牲畜饲养的潜在贡献的重要工具，因此有助于就林牧系统最合适的物种做出决策。