CIMO - Artigos em Proceedings Não Indexados à WoS/Scopus
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Browsing CIMO - Artigos em Proceedings Não Indexados à WoS/Scopus by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "04:Educação de Qualidade"
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- Interdisciplinary investigations identify local knowledge important for pastoralist adaptation to climate change in Montesinho (Portugal)Publication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa G.; Castro, José; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, João Paulo; Castro, MarinaPastoralists are among the most vulnerable groups to climate change and variability, as they depend on bioclimatic conditions for livestock forage biodiversity and production. In the complex socio-ecological system of the mountainous area of Montesinho Natural Park (north-east Portugal, Western Europe), traditional pastoralists are impacted by climate change in their rangelands (e.g. average monthly temperature increase, shifts in precipitation patterns) (Castro et al. 2021; Oliveira 2023). To understand the adaptive responses of local pastoralists to environmental change, this interdisciplinary research applied a three-step method. Firstly, we performed walking ethnographies with shepherds for over two years and used dialogues and observations to identify perceptions and local adaptations. Secondly, adaptive practices from other pastoral groups that could be viable in the study area were identified from the literature. And thirdly, co-participatory consultation workshops with pastoralists and representatives of local and national entities were developed to discuss and assess the adaptive measures for its practicality and sustainability. Shifts in precipitation patterns, drought and higher temperatures in the winter were identified as climate changes by local pastoralists, and several adaptive practices for water provision and conservation, additional fodder supply and livestock thermal comfort were listed by all local stakeholders involved in the project, as feasible solutions to overcome regional ecosystem shocks and trends. Local knowledge and climate perceptions were important for the documentation of adaptations at the rangeland level. This integrative approach, which resulted in a good practices guide, promotes practitioners and decision-makers to identify and discuss measures that will contribute to the resilience of traditional mountain pastoralism in the protected area of Montesinho and similar agro-pastoral systems
- Perceptions and Challenges of Silvopastoralism in Trás-os-Montes: Insights from the Agricultural SectorPublication . Dias, Estefânia; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Castro, MarinaSilvopastoralism is a traditional land-use practice that integrates extensive livestock farming with forestry, generating both economic and environmental advantages. Over time, however, it has declined in relevance and the number of practitioners threatening its continuity and the ecosystem services it provides. This study aims to explore the perceptions of farmers and agricultural stakeholders in the Trás-os-Montes region concerning silvopastoral practices, while identifying the main barriers to their implementation and ways to encourage their adoption. A total of 60 anonymous surveys were carried out for this purpose. The results indicate that respondents see silvopastoralism as highly valuable in terms of wildfire prevention, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management. It is particularly regarded as suitable for implementation in mature forest areas and regions with high levels of biomass. Nevertheless, several challenges hinder its adoption, including the lack of technical assistance, low economic returns, and limited awareness of existing research projects in this field. Another significant point raised by this research is the importance of preserving autochthonous livestock breeds, which are deeply connected to silvopastoral practices but increasingly at risk due to their decline. The study also emphasizes the urgent need to rethink rural land management models-especially by developing support mechanisms for producers who engage in silvopastoralism. The future of this practice in Trás-os-Montes will rely not only on the ability of farmers to adapt to modern-day challenges, but also on the broader societal recognition of its environmental benefits and the political will to strengthen and promote it.
