Browsing by Author "Fellahi, Mohamed"
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- Characterization of Grazing Patterns: Analyzing Sheep Herd Dynamics in Montesinho Natural ParkPublication . Fellahi, Mohamed; Castro, Marina; Castro, José; Yessef, MohammedThe production of small ruminants in North-East Portugal is an extensive activity, mainly based on the exploitation of spontaneous resources, which is strongly conditioned by seasonality. Shepherds direct their herds on daily grazing routes through different types of resources, creating a mosaic of varied land uses within the same management unit. This practice integrates the exploitation of landscape by-products such as spontaneous native vegetation and agriculture leftovers. This study, part of the PASTOpraxis project, focuses on characterizing the grazing patterns of a sheep herd breed, Churra Galega Bragançana Branca, in Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. Using a GNSS collar, data for each day of grazing were monitored and captured over a year from March 2022 to March 2023. The data obtained from the GNSS collar were integrated into GIS and analyzed using RStudio to evaluate and characterize grazing patterns and sheep behaviour. Significant insights into the temporal and spatial dynamics of flock behaviour were obtained through descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The research highlighted the influence of seasonal and climatic variations on grazing journey duration, the critical role of diverse land use types such as orchards, shrublands, and temporary crops, and the adaptive strategies shepherds employ to optimize grazing efficiency. Key findings revealed that grazing durations were more prolonged in spring and autumn, with significant correlations between grazing patterns and variables like elevation, relative slope position, and topographic wetness index. The study underscores the importance of integrating traditional pastoral knowledge with modern monitoring techniques to sustain grazing practices amid changing environmental conditions and highlights the potential impacts of climate change on pastoral systems.