The growth and development and adaptation of four native tree species in their initial stage of development established in a silvopastoral arrangement for browsing sheep and goats in the territory of a Wayuu indigenous community located in buffer zone with the Macuira National Natural Park was evaluated in Guajira-Colombia. The 3594 seedlings of four different species were produced in a randomized complete block design with four replications, for growth evaluation ten experimental units per block were taken. Growth parameters and mortality and survival rates were estimated. A survival level for Guazuma ulmifolia and Pithecellobium dulce was estimated at 39% and 48%, respectively. Meanwhile, Caesalpinia coriaria and Cordia alba recorded the highest values ​​with 86 and 75%. C. alba shows the most important development indices with respect to the group of species with a height of 39.75 + 11.90 cm and a diameter at the base of the stem of 9.81 + 3.68 mm. Regarding the monthly periodic growth in height, there is a decrease in height for P dulce, this responds to the death of the apical part of some individuals due to herbivory at the study site. Likewise, a monthly mortality rate with high difficulty is observed for the species G. ulmifolia and P. dulce of 20.48 and 12.28% with respect to the group of species, a situation that reduces their average life by 5.5 and 7.5 months if the current conditions persist driving. Finally, the species C. coriaria and C. alba present a better adaptation in their initial stage of development to the biotic and abiotic conditions of the area under study and current management of the silvopastoral system.

Keywords: animal feeding, herbivory, mortality, silvopastoral system, survival