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

Pastor.i: a smartphone application to facilitate grazing management

Grazing in extensive beef farming systems is often manage in an empirical way based on past experience and on the visual appreciation of animal behavior and forage potential. Records of entrances and exits of the animals in the paddocks are rare. However, knowing the occupation period and the animal density, when coupled with biomass defines the grazing pressure. This knowledge is essential for planning and making informed decisions, that influence the profitability of the farm. Moreover, adequate grazing pressure is crucial for the sustainability of many SSPs where system maintenance is dependent on the balance between grazing pressure and regeneration or maintenance of trees and shrubs. Pastor.i is a smartphone application (APP) designed to allow pasture data logging to be very simple. The application is synchronized with the website and allows the producer to have in his pocket all the farm, being possible to identify the paddock, calculate the area, record the movements of the animals and consult the occupation history of the paddock. The application calculates the actual stocking rate, that can be associated with the location of the animals, obtained if the animals are using collars with GPS, which allows to know the areas of the paddock that are most grazed, visualized through heat maps. The information enables localized actions, such as fertilizing or sowing, to improve areas that are not grazed. The application also allows you to save photos of the sward. This temporal photographic record provides information on the condition of trees, the botanical composition and on the tendency of grazing to improve or to worsen coverage. The APP is available for download, is compatible with Android and is being tested with focus groups

A holistic approach to land system dynamics – The Monfurado case in Alentejo, Portugal

Understanding land system dynamics is fundamental for policy-making from local to global scale. Land system is a combination of land use, land management and territorial practices. To attain such complete information about landscape structures is a challenging task. Aiming to deepen knowledge on land systems, we applied a methodology meant to achieve a broader understanding of dynamics in the Sítio de Monfurado (SM), a Natura 2000 site and holder of High Nature Value farming systems. To do so, we combined spatial analysis of land system changes with a participatory approach designated as Territory Game. While the spatial analysis shows little change in the SM land systems, the territory is perceived as fast-changing by the territorial actors (e.g., stakeholders with an explicit role in territorial development). At both scales, and in agreement with literature, we find trends of simplification and intensification in land systems, typically associated with the reduction of multifunctionality. The combination of both approaches contributed to the understanding of past changes, the drivers that induce such changes, how these are interpreted and, how to act upon them in the future. The proposed combined methodology can bring new useful insights for policy-makers, although scaling from local to broader scale remains a challenge

Overgrazing in the Montado? The need for monitoring grazing pressure at paddock scale

Montados are presently facing the threat of either abandonment or intensification, and livestock overgrazing has been suspected of contributing to reduced natural regeneration and biodiversity. However, reliable data are to our knowledge, lacking. To avoid potential risks of overgrazing, an adaptive and efficient management is essential. In the present paper we review the main sources of complexity for grazing management linked with interactions among pasture, livestock and human decisions. We describe the overgrazing risk in montados and favour grazing pressure over stocking rate, as a key indicator for monitoring changes and support management decisions. We suggest the use of presently available imaging and communication technologies for assessing pasture dynamics and livestock spatial location. This simple and effective tools used for monitoring the grazing pressure, could provide an efficient day-to-day aid for farm managers’ operational use and also for rangeland research through data collection and analysis

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]

Caracterização de um programa de intervenção nas dificuldades iniciais na aprendizagem da leitura/escrita

A intervenção precoce nos alunos que apresentam dificuldades iniciais na aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita apresenta-se como uma das variáveis preditoras do sucesso das intervenções educativas. Neste poster apresenta-se um programa de intervenção estruturado construído visando crianças com dificuldades específicas na aprendizagem da leitura/escrita sinalizadas numa fase precoce. O programa foi aplicado ao longo de 15 sessões com a duração aproximada de 60 minutos. A descodificação leitora foi trabalhada a partir da exploração de livros, procurando associar descodificação e compreensão leitora. Cada sessão incluía a audição de uma música baseada nas sílabas trabalhadas na sessão, a leitura e exploração de uma história, o treino da leitura e escrita de sílabas, o registo do desempenho leitor de cada aluno e um jogo tradicional, que exigia a discriminação auditiva das sílabas trabalhadas na sessão. Gradualmente foi introduzido o treino da leitura e escrita de palavras constituídas pelas sílabas trabalhadas anteriormente e frases formadas por estas palavras. O treino das competências de leitura e escrita baseou-se em diferentes procedimentos: Utilização de uma metodologia multissensorial, que possibilita a interacção das diferentes modalidades sensoriais como forma de fortalecer a aprendizagem (Defior, 1996; Thomson, 1992); recurso ao método das leituras repetidas.The early intervention on students who have difficulties in the initial learning of reading and writing presents as a predictive variables of the success of educational interventions. In this poster we present a structured intervention program built for children with specific difficulties in learning to read and write, identified in early stage. The program was implemented over of 15 sessions, with a duration of approximately 60 minutes. The decoding was worked by exploitation of books, in intend to associate decoding and comprehension. Each session included the hearing of a song based on syllables worked in the session, the reading and exploration of a story, the training of reading and writing of syllables, the individual record of performance in a reading task, and a traditional game, which required the auditory discrimination of the syllables worked in the session. Gradually, we introduce the training of reading and writing words formed by previously worked syllables and phrases formed by these words. The training of reading and writing was based on different procedures. We use a multissensorial methodology, which enables the interaction of different sensory modalities as a way of strengthening the learning (Defior, 1996; Thomson, 1992) and a method of reading repeated. The dimension of the comprehensive reading was contemplated by reading stories. The literature has referenced this activity as crucial in the promotion of cognitive, language and emotional capacities (Morais, 1997; Viana, 2001). Moreover, research shows a positive relationship between the reading of stories and learning of reading and writing (Villas-Boas, 2002).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Dificuldades iniciais de aprendizagem de leitura/escrita: caracterização das competências e avaliação dos efeitos de um programa de intervenção

Neste poster apresentam-se os resultados da avaliação de um projecto de intervenção destinado a alunos do 1º ano do ensino básico sinalizados pelos respectivos professores como apresentando atrasos na aprendizagem da leitura e escrita. O projecto de intervenção foi implementado num grupo de 5 alunos, dos quais 2 são do sexo feminino e os restantes do sexo masculino. Na avaliação dos alunos utilizaram-se as provas: nomeação verbal e definição verbal (Sim-Sim, 2004), Prova de reconhecimento e escrita de letras, Prova de reconhecimento e escrita de sílabas, Prova de reconhecimento e escrita de palavras e frases, Bateria de Provas Fonológicas (Silva, 2002). Na avaliação dos efeitos recorreu a um design de medidas repetidas no tempo. Foram realizadas 15 sessões de intervenção com os alunos, com a duração aproximada de 60 minutos, durante o horário lectivo. Na apreciação dos resultados consideraram-se os resultados médios do grupo nos vários momentos de avaliação, assim como a análise dos perfis individuais. Os resultados obtidos indicam um padrão diferencial em relação às percentagens de ganhos alcançados por cada um dos sujeitos, sendo as percentagens de ganhos mais elevadas nas variáveis de leitura e escrita de palavras e frases e leitura de ditongos. Os ganhos são significativos para todas as variáveis, com excepção da leitura e escrita de vogais, leitura de sílabas, escrita de vogais e frases.In this poster we present the results of the evaluation of an intervention project design for students of the first year of basic education, identified by their teachers as presenting delays in learning to read and write. The project was implemented in a group of five students (two girls and three boys). In the assessment of children’s we used the measures: verbal designation verbal and verbal definition (Sim-Sim, 2004), reading and writing of letters, reading and writing of syllables, reading and writing of words, reading and writing of phrases, test of phonological awareness (Silva 2002). In the assessment of the effects were used the design of repeated measures in time. Were held 15 sessions of intervention with the students, with the approximate duration of 60 minutes, during school hours. In analysis of the results we considered the average performance of the group as well as the analysis of individual profiles. The results indicate a differential pattern on percentages of gains of each participant. The major gains where he in the variables of reading and writing of words and phrases and reading diphthongs. The gains are significant in all variables, except for the reading and writing of vowels, reading syllables, vowels and writing of sentences.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

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