Percorrer por autor "Benmellouk, Issam"
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- Characterization Of Grazing Patterns: Analyzing a Goat Herd Dynamics in Montesinho Natural ParkPublication . Benmellouk, Issam; Castro, José; Essagh, SalaheddineThis study investigates the grazing patterns of a goat herd within Montesinho Natural Park, emphasizing the interplay of environmental variables, seasonal dynamics, and land use types. The research uses GPS tracking data and GIS analysis, to explores how terrain or seasonal transitions, among other factors, could influence grazing patterns across different seasons. The findings highlight that oak forests support more extended and diverse grazing routes at higher altitudes during summer and autumn, contrasting with shorter, less varied routes observed in chestnut forests and orchards during winter and spring. Terrain variables like altitude, slope position, and land use like maritime pine forests significantly influence grazing patterns, especially in rugged terrains with lower topographic wetness. This study underscores the resilience of traditional grazing practices amidst environmental variability and offers insights crucial for sustainable livestock management and conservation efforts in rangeland ecosystems. As pastoral communities adapt to ongoing environmental changes, the research contributes valuable knowledge essential for developing adaptive strategies aimed to preserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and safeguard the cultural heritage of pastoralism in Montesinho Natural Park.
- Enhancing rangeland management through technology: a case study of sheep and goat grazing in Montesinho Natural ParkPublication . Castro, José; Fellahi, Mohamed; Benmellouk, Issam; Castro, Marina; Yessef, MohammedThe advent of advanced technologies offers unprecedented opportunities to improve the sustainability and resilience of rangeland management. This study examines the application of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in monitoring and optimizing the shepherding journeys of sheep and goat pastoralists throughout the rangelands of Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. Two distinct flocks—sheep and goats—were each equipped with a GNSS collar to monitor their routes across seasons and landscapes from April 2022 to March 2023. The study yielded 186 grazing journeys for the sheep flock and 232 for the goats. The data collected were subsequently analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). These analytical methods were employed to discern patterns and correlations between grazing journeys and environmental variables, including altitude, topographic wetness, and land use types. The land use types examined encompassed orchards, oak forests, and shrublands. The study elucidates marked discrepancies in the shepherding landscapes of the two species under investigation. The flock of sheep exhibited a distinct preference for agroforestry zones, demonstrating heightened sensitivity to climatic fluctuations, particularly during extreme temperatures. In such conditions, the sheep sought refuge in oak woods, chestnut groves, and riparian forests. Conversely, the goats demonstrated a greater utilization of rangelands and forestlands, indicative of their superior adaptability to varying environmental conditions. Additionally, seasonal variations were pronounced, with both species modifying their grazing strategies in response to the dynamic environmental changes.