Percorrer por autor "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.
- 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.