CIMO - Artigos em Proceedings Não Indexados à WoS/Scopus
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- Gestão da água: desafios enfrentados pela atividade pastoril em Trás-os-Montes, PortugalPublication . Oliveira, Ana Carolina Farias de; Castro, José; Seripieri, Vitor Henrique Mistro; Castro, Marina; L.A pastorícia fornece importantes serviços ecológicos, como a ciclagem de nutrientes, a conservação da biodiversidade, atenua os efeitos dos incendios florestais ao diminuir o material combustível (Dong, 2016). Segundo a FAO (2020), a europa ocupa cerca de 15 milhões de hectares voltados para a sistemas agropastoris, sendo aproximadamente 1,92 milhões de hectares de pastagens permanentes em Portugal (Pinto et al., 2023).
- Rede de inovação de modelos de negócio agroflorestais (AF4EU)Publication . Pousa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Ana Carolina Farias de; Castro, José; Castro, João Paulo; Pereira, José Alberto; Castro, Marina; Rodrigues, NunoO crescimento da população mundial impõe a procura de soluções que permitam obter uma maior produção de alimentos através de práticas de uso do solo mais sustentáveis. Os sistemas agroflorestais devido às suas propriedades multifuncionais são parte da solução para abordar questões de sustentabilidade, incluindo ambientais, económicas ou sociais. Como resposta a estas necessidades, o projeto AF4EU, financiado pela União Europeia, tem como objetivo promover os sistemas agroflorestais europeus através do desenvolvimento de uma rede agroflorestal alargada, interativa e orientada para a inovação. Com este projeto pretende-se partilhar conhecimento local e cientifico, com recurso a ferramentas de TIC, dando especial atenção ao desenvolvimento e implementação de novas práticas rentáveis, modelos de negócio e serviços de extensão agroflorestal, considerando toda a cadeia alimentar, incluindo os consumidores. O AF4EU inclui 11 Redes Regionais de Inovação Agroflorestal (RAIN), distribuídas por várias regiões da Europa (Atlântica, Mediterrânica, Continental e Boreal) com atores relevantes (agricultores e produtores florestais, invesgadores, conselheiros, consumidores, ONGs, retalhistas e responsáveis políticos) e grupos operacionais. No decurso do projeto, será analisado um conjunto de 33 modelos de negócio agroflorestais em toda a Europa, sob a perspetiva do trinómio de sustentabilidade económica, ambiental e social. Inspirado em iniciativas anteriores (H2020), o AF4EU visa desenvolver uma plataforma de conhecimento agroflorestal que inclui: i) nuvem de conhecimento, ii) manual, iii) ferramenta de apoio à decisão empresarial de inovação agroflorestal (Afi-Bus DSS), visando a política agroflorestal na Europa, assim como um Curso Online Multilingue (MOOC) com módulos de formação direcionados aos agricultores e conselheiros. O AF4EU proporcionará um contributo significativo para a implementação e adoção dos sistemas agroflorestais em toda a Europa, através da partilha de conhecimento centrado em modelos de negócio rentáveis e do planeamento de comunicação, disseminação e exploração bem-sucedido, que despertará a atenção de grande número de pessoas na Europa.
- 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.
- Portuguese consumers' preference regarding three protected designation of origin transmontano goatling butcher piecesPublication . Fernandes, António; Sousa, Fernando; Aveiro, Dina; Ribeiro, Maria IsabelEach half carcass was divided into three pieces: a leg, a shoulder, and a rib. So, to identify consumers' preferences about the three cuts, a questionnaire was applied at the National Agricultural Fair between June 3 and 11, 2023, in Santarém, Portugal. The sample was composed of 118 consumers aged between 20 and 81 years. Later, descriptive statistics and the Friedman test were used to analyze the data. The majority of the consumers were between 25 and 64 years old (72.9%), male (69.5%), had secondary (25.4%) or higher (36.4%) education, lived in households of two (40.7%) or three people (23.7%) with a monthly net income between 1,001 and 3,000 (44.9%) or 3,001 and 5,000 euros (21.2%) and lived in the districts of Santarém (30.5%), Lisbon (15.3%) and Leiria (11.0%). The frequency of goatling meat consumption is very diverse. In fact, 31.4% said they eat it sporadically, 31.4% more than once a week, 25.4% once a month, and 11.9% one to four times a month. When asked about the likelihood of buying the different cuts, 86.5% of respondents said it was likely or very likely that they would buy the rib, 80.6% the leg, and 79.6% the shoulder. No differences were found in the purchase probability between the leg and shoulder (p-value = 0.879). Still, a preference for the rib was confirmed (p-value < 0.05). The leg, the rib, and the shoulder can be sold between 13.09 and 22.41 euros/kg, 12.92 and 22.96 euros/kg, and 13,66 and 23,64 euros/Kg, respectively.
- Pork meat consumption: a comparative analysis between Brazilian and Portuguese consumersPublication . Fernandes, António; Morais, Juan de Oliveira; Ribeiro, Maria IsabelThis quantitative and cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the trend in pork consumption among Portuguese and Brazilian households, to identify which attributes were most valued by consumers when purchasing fresh pork meat, and to verify whether there were significant differences between Portuguese and Brazilian consumers regarding the factors/motivations for pork meat consumption. The data collection took place between April 16 and June 16, 2024, using a questionnaire through Google Forms. Later, data were analyzed using statistical software appropriate to the Human and Social Sciences. The Chi-square test was used to compare proportions, and the Mann-Whitney test was used to compare two independent groups. Of the 210 valid responses gathered, most consumers were female, students, single, with higher education, living in households of 1 to 3 members with a net monthly income of up to 2,400 euros (R$14,391.89). A few consumers did not consume pork meat (7.6%). Of those who consumed it (n = 194), the majority preferred to buy fresh meat, valuing attributes such as flavor, taste (preference over other meats), and aroma. In the last six months, the frequency of consumption was similar between Portuguese and Brazilian consumers (p-value > 0.05). Furthermore, consumers would prefer the proportion of lean meat to be greater than the proportion of fatty meat. Considering the nationality, animal welfare, local production, organic production, meat tenderness, and low environmental impact were identified as differentiating factors (p-value < 0.05) of pork meat consumption. These factors prove to be more critical for Portuguese consumers than Brazilian ones.
- Portuguese consumers' preference regarding the presentation of protected designation of origin transmontano goat cheesePublication . Fernandes, António; Fernando, Sousa; Aveiro, Dina; Ribeiro, Maria IsabelData were collected from a sample of 120 individuals aged between 18 and 84 years old through the application of a questionnaire at the National Agricultural Fair, held from June 3 to 11, 2023, at the National Exhibition Center in Santarém, Portugal. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, revealing that the majority of the respondents were male (52.5%), had secondary (25.0%) or higher (41.7%) education qualifications, lived in households of 2 (35.8%) or 3 people (24.2%) with a monthly net income between 501 and 1,000 euros (20.8%) or 1,001 and 3,000 (40.3%) in the districts of Santarém (25.8%), Lisboa (15.8%), or Leiria (9.2%). The majority (84.5%) consumed cheese more than once a week. They preferred cheese made with raw milk (68.3%) from goat (55.0%), with a curing time of around 30 days (55.0%) or 90 days (51.7%). They also preferred the whole cheese (61.7%), certified (59.1%) with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Identification (PGI), or Organic Agriculture (OA). As for the cheese size, the respondents preferred wedges of 220 and 400 g. The most important attribute for consumers proved to be the price, followed by the type of milk (cow, sheep, goat, mixed), curing time, cheese size/portion, presentation form (whole, half, wedge), type of milk (pasteurized, raw), certification (PDO, PGI, OA) and whether the cheese had spices/aromatic herbs. The study reveals that the commercial strategy of the producer group (LEICRAS) should prioritize smaller portions without using spices/aromatic herbs, since opting for smaller-sized cheese entails higher operating costs.
- Determinants of Sustainable Organic Food Consumption in TunisiaPublication . Zaidi, Saida; Fernandes, António; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; IBIMAOrganic farming plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture by preserving ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and ensuring the production of healthier food. As the demand for organic products continues to rise globally, understanding the factors driving organic food consumption becomes essential for fostering sustainable consumer behavior. Tunisia, with its deep-rooted agricultural heritage and growing interest in organic and sustainable living, presents a unique case for examining these dynamics. Given the country's ongoing economic development and urbanization, it is critical to explore the factors shaping consumer choices regarding organic food. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing organic food consumption in Tunisia by assessing consumer attitudes, purchasing habits, and barriers to adoption. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through a structured survey targeting a diverse sample of Tunisians that explored socio-demographic characteristics, economic constraints, motivations, and challenges to organic food consumption, with statistical analysis applied to identify key trends and correlations. Findings reveal that 23% of respondents purchase no organic products, with supermarkets dominating distribution channels and limited availability through direct farmer sales or specialty stores. Consumer knowledge is notably deficient, with over 60% of participants demonstrating limited understanding of organic food. Regression analysis identifies attitudes toward organic food as the strongest predictor of purchase intention, followed by health awareness, while perceived price negatively affects consumption. Interestingly, environmental concerns showed no significant association with purchase intention. These results show the need for strategies that improve attitudes and address price concerns to boost organic food adoption in Tunisia.
- 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.
- 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
- Silvopastoralism as an Agroforestry Systems: Survey Analysis of Perceptions in the Agricultural Sector of Trás-os-Montes region, PortugalPublication . Dias, Estefânia; Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Castro, MarinaSilvopastoralism, as a traditional agroforestry practice that combines extensive livestock production with forestry, offering both economic and environmental benefits, has been losing prominence, thus compromising the ecosystem services it provides. This research arises from the need to understand the obstacles to its adoption in Trás-os-Montes, a region marked by vulnerability to rural wildfires and demographic desertification. Despite the scientific recognition of the environmental and social benefits of silvopastoralism, there remains a significant gap in knowledge regarding the perceptions and challenges experienced by producers in its implementation. Based on the SILFORE project, this study involved 60 face-to-face surveys with various stakeholders in the agroforestry sector in the Trás-os-Montes region. The objective was to identify perceptions of the usefulness of silvopastoralism and the main constraints to its application. The data collected were statistically analyzed using frequency measures and measures of central tendency. The results reveal a clear appreciation for the role of silvopastoralism in wildfire prevention, biodiversity conservation, and the preservation of native breeds. However, factors such as low economic profitability, lack of technical support, and the absence of tailored public policies compromise its viability. It is concluded that the revitalization of silvopastoralism depends on integrated strategies involving technical assistance, institutional recognition, and the valorisation of associated products—contributing to the resilience of rural territories.