Grazing in silvopastoral systems: multiple solutions for diversified benefits

Abstract Silvopastoral systems are multifunctional systems that combine herbage, shrub and tree layers with grazing animals in a single site. The multiple possible combinations of components within these systems creates different options that have in common the capacity to deliver positive outcomes related to land productivity and environmental and climatic benefits. This editorial provides a perspective of the diversity of ancient and more recent silvopastoral systems and their main benefits. The major challenges for both systems are different. Ancient silvopastoral systems, which originated on cultural grounds, deal mostly with conservation issues, while intensive silvopastoral systems, founded on technological changes of the grazing livestock production model, are more production driven but also concerned with climatic changes. Both types of system share similar benefits, and in this special issue we look at positive outcomes in the perspective of grazing animals, highlighting production and welfare. The purpose of this special issue is to contribute to gathering and sharing the knowledge emerging from grazing on different silvopastoral systems, promoting a common ground for future integrative research approaches

Result-based payments as a tool to preserve the High Nature Value of complex silvo-pastoral systems: progress towards farm-based indicators

s shown by the Green Deal's ambition, the European Commission is progressively pushing for an environmental shiftand climate action in Europe. For the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), this involves a stronger focus on greening policy objectives.For agri-environmental schemes, this entails changes toward performance-based payments, partially replacing traditional activity-basedpayments. The CAP foresees greater flexibility in national programs and tailor-made solutions centered on results (i.e. environmentaloutcomes), benefiting farmers who go beyond the minimum environmental performance required. The environmental outcomes offarm practices must be assessed so that changes can be monitored over time and linked to payment delivery. This requires stakeholdersto collaborate with researchers to identify farm-based indicators that are easily applicable, to achieve environmental results that aredependent on farm practices, and to assess and monitor changes in outcomes over time. The analysis in this paper is based on atransdisciplinary process that began in 2017 in a Natura 2000 site and its surroundings in Southern Portugal, to identify result-basedmeasures for the Montado silvo-pastoral system. Farmers' understanding of how to adapt their practices to reach better environmentalresults was combined with scientific knowledge of the relevant environmental outcomes and how these can be assessed with indicators.Ten field-based visual indicators were defined, which farmers applied in the field, and validated by technical staff. These indicators arerelated to several aspects of the silvo-pastoral system: soil quality, pasture diversity, tree renewal, tree health, singular landscape elements,and biodiversity. The approach used in this process was innovative. We describe each step and present its advantages and drawbacksfor designing and implementing result-based payments. Ultimately, their implementation is expected to lead to higher sustainability inthe Montado. (PDF) Result-based payments as a tool to preserve the High Nature Value of complex silvo-pastoral systems: progress toward farm-based indicators. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359442049_Result-based_payments_as_a_tool_to_preserve_the_High_Nature_Value_of_complex_silvo-pastoral_systems_progress_toward_farm-based_indicators#fullTextFileContent [accessed Feb 03 2023]

Effects of grazing pressure on activity and richness of bats in a Portuguese silvo-pastoral system

Background High Nature Value Farmlands (HNVF) harbor species dependent upon habitats maintained by low-intensity farming. Among HNVF, the montado (dehesa in Spain) is a multifunctional system declining due to droughts, pathogens, and increasing grazing pressure. Specifically, grazing pressure leads to compact soils and hinders natural tree regeneration. Regrettably, there is a dearth of information supporting management decisions on the side-effects of high grazing pressure on HNVF-dwelling biodiversity. In particular, little is known about the impact of grazing pressure on bats, a group of species of special conservation concern that may provide key ecosystem services such as biological pest control. Purpose We investigated patterns of activity levels and community composition of insectivorous bats to test the hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between the level of livestock grazing pressure within montado HNVF parcels and patterns of insectivorous bats’ presence and activity. Our specific aims were to (i) assess separately the effects of grazing pressure on bat activity and species composition, (ii) test the predictive significance of key covariates (e.g., insect availability). Methods We conducted this study in 2014 in the Natura 2000 network site “Monfurado”, southern Portugal. This site is specifically acknowledged for its well-preserved montados providing feeding areas for bat species. We quantified acoustically bat flight activity and species richness in farm parcels dominated by cork oak trees. Per parcel, we selected two separate locations (high vs. low grazing pressure) based on landowners’ interviews and grazing pressure indicators, totaling 42 sampling locations. We then used linear mixed-effects modeling to evaluate the effects of grazing pressure and covariates on activity and species richness. Results Bat activity and bat species richness peaked at low grazing pressure locations. Bat activity also increased with tree cover and in locations where livestock grazing signs were old or absent. Conversely, bat activity at low grazing pressure locations decreased with distance to the nearest standing water body. Discussion Our study clearly demonstrated that locations maintained under high grazing pressure within HNVF can have negative consequences for bats, which are acknowledged as good bioindicators of habitat quality. In order to promote better habitat for bats, practitioners should avoid favoring grazing-prone areas (e.g., rotating the location of livestock feeders, drinkers, and gates) across montado HNVF. Broadly, ecosystem services provided by bats for HNVF must be enhanced through sustainability oriented agro-environment schemes under the Economic Community Rural Development Program, including the reduction of stocking density

Characterization of grazing behaviour microstructure using point-of-view cameras

Grazing patterns, intake structure, and diet selection are dynamic responses to animals’ feeding environment. This study uses video sequences from animal-borne cameras to capture time- and scale-dependent grazing behaviour variables related to sward explanatory conditions. We observed grazing ‘through’ the sheep’s eyes using point-of-view (POV) cameras coupled with event logging software. Time-specific sward features were measured by sampling ‘really’ grazed patches identified by applying a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) precision-grazing approach. Sward variables on a Mediterranean native sward were measured for two years during the active spring plant-growth cycle. Overall, the results demonstrate that POV cameras were able to capture grazing behaviour fine-tuning to changes in sward characteristics. Sheep compensate for the decrease in sward quantity and nutritive value by increasing the size and duration at each behavioural scale (i.e., meal, bout, and station) while increasing the bout rate and decreasing the station rate. Diet composition also changed as sward matured. The proportion of forbs in the diet remained high in early and late spring, and forbs and legumes were preferred to grasses in early spring. Grazing selectivity was more pronounced in late spring, with sheep favouring the middle stratum of the sward’s vertical structure, preferring green vegetative material, while enlarging the feeding niches’ span and spending more time at each niche, consequently reducing the station rate. Although data collected by individual animal-borne POV cameras were representative of the flock behaviour, they may underestimate the total grazing time outside major meals. The results indicate that the use of animal-borne video cameras is suitable for assessing variations in sheep grazing behaviour patterns in complex swards

Low-cost GNSS technology for monitoring grazing sheep

Extensive livestock production is supported by natural and biodiverse pastures, characterized by marked seasonal variation of biomass, plant species and growth stage. The use of the food resources and the occupation of grazing space can be very heterogeneous in such conditions due to ruminants grazing behaviour. Successful grazing and pasture management requires an understanding of the adjustment mechanisms behind the grazing behaviour that enables adaptation to grazing conditions. Use of GNSS technology allows a quick and effective grazing data collection which is, however expensive, limiting its application to research purposes. This paper reviews the principles for the application of GNSS technology and evaluates the use of inexpensive commercial GNSS receivers (commercial of the shelf - COTS: CatTrackTM”). Six receivers were used for six data collection period over two months of continuous grazing on a natural pasture. The measured static and dynamic accuracy of the receivers is 14m and 40m, respectively. The precision was 3m and the reliability 80%. The tested equipment allows the differentiation between animal activities (grazing, resting and transit). It also determines sheep locations, allowing the characterization of patterns, pathways and preferred areas. It is concluded that the COTS equipment has a high quality / price ratio, so it can become an important support decision tool essential to a more precise pasture management

Livro Verde dos Montados

O Livro Verde dos Montados apresenta diversos objectivos que se interligam: Em primeiro lugar, o Livro Verde pretende reunir e sistematizar, de uma forma simples e acessível ao público, o conhecimento produzido em Portugal pelos investigadores e técnicos de várias instituições de investigação ou de gestão que estudam o Montado. Assume-se como uma oportunidade de caracterizar o sistema tendo em conta as suas várias dimensões, identificando as principais ameaças à sua preservação assim como os caminhos que podem ajudar à sua sustentabilidade. Não sendo um documento científico, baseia-se no conhecimento científico e pretende constituir a base para uma plataforma de organização, tanto dos investigadores como do conhecimento científico actualmente produzido em Portugal sobre o Montado.Em segundo lugar, o Livro Verde deverá contribuir para um entendimento partilhado do que é o Montado, por parte do público, de técnicos e de especialistas, conduzindo a uma classificação mais clara do que pode ser considerado Montado e de quais os tipos distintos de Montados que podem ser identificados. Em terceiro lugar, o Livro Verde estabelece as bases para uma estratégia coordenada de disponibilização de informação sobre o sistema Montado, visando o seu conhecimento, apreciação e valorização pela sociedade portuguesa no seu conjunto. Deste modo, o Livro Verde poderá constituir um instrumento congregador e inspirador para a realização de acções de sensibilização e informação sobre o Montado. Em quarto lugar, pretende-se que o Livro Verde contribua para um maior reconhecimento e valorização do Montado como sistema, a nível do desenho das políticas nacionais por parte dos vários sectores envolvidos.Finalmente, o Livro Verde constituirá um documento parceiro do Livro Verde das Dehesas, produzido em Espanha em 2010, de forma a reforçar o reconhecimento e a devida valorização destes sistemas silvo-pastoris no desenho das estratégias e políticas relevantes pelas instituições europeias. Em suma, os autores pretendem que o Livro Verde dos Montados se afirme como o primeiro passo para uma efectiva definição e implementação de uma estratégia nacional para os Montados

estudos artísticos

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio