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- The transformation of the silvopastoral landscape of Montesinho Natural Park (1995 – 2021)Publication . Seripieri, Vitor Henrique Mistro; Castro, José; Silva, Maria Madalena; Castro, Marina; Seripieri, Vitor Henrique MistroIn the grazing areas of the Montesinho Natural Park (PNM), the diet of small ruminants is shaped by the available landscape, through the daily routes chosen by the shepherd to feed his flock. Thus, in addition to grazing, sheep and goats benefit from a combination of agricultural by-products and spontaneous vegetation, such as stubble fields, chestnut and olive groves, leftovers and pruning, as well as forests and scrubland. Changes in land use inevitably lead to adaptations in pastoral routes. An analysis of the evolution of the landscape explains the changes in the various land uses that make up the landscape, whether natural, semi-natural or anthropic, and which have been determined by global changes, in particular climate change. This study updated PNM's Natural and Semi-Natural Vegetation Map (1995), an analogue cartography of great historical value that was transferred to digital format, requiring a refinement of its geometry and classification to ensure that the results were not affected by the different methodologies inherent in its creation. To achieve this, we chose to adapt the polygons of the original cartography to the currently available land structure geometry, namely the ISIP geographical database, and to update it based on images from 2021, complemented by field visits and visual interpretation of other images from different seasons and dates. The data were processed in a GIS environment, using the QGIS tool, which allowed the interpretation of the landscape transformation in the last 26 years, quantified by a transition matrix, and the trend for the next 26 years. From the results we can conclude that there has been a drastic decrease in the areas of extensive and intensive dry farming (-47%), while an increase perennial plantation (olive and chestnut groves) (+38%) has been observed, with some peculiarities. The other categories remained constant and are expected to continue to increase, albeit at a slower rate.
- Relembrar em comum: memórias e vivências do sistema agro-silvo-pastoril em MontesinhoPublication . Amieira, João; Seripieri, Vitor Henrique Mistro; Castro, José; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, Marina; Seripieri, Vitor Henrique MistroInstituídas como Parque Natural, as serras de Coroa e Montesinho (nordeste de Portugal) são palco de grandes transformações sociais, económicas, políticas e ecológicas. Materializadas a diferentes escalas, temporais e espaciais, estes processos de mudança permanecem ainda hoje como memória, individual e coletiva. No seu contexto agro-silvo-pastoril, pastores e comunidades são a chave para a compreensão de como tais dinâmicas transformadoras se manifestam nos ecossistemas e nas (re)negociações das práticas e dos significados do presente, foco do projeto de investigação multidisciplinar PASTOpraxis (FCT MTS/CAC/0028/2020) em que este estudo se insere. Partindo de um conjunto de metodologias complementares, explorámos o modo como as memórias do sistema agro-silvo-pastoril são (re)significadas no presente. Com recurso a fotografias aéreas de 1968, organizaram-se encontros com as populações locais, permitindo um momento de reflexão sobre a paisagem e as memórias associadas. Conclui-se que, destes atos de relembrar em comum (re)nascem narrativas sobre o próprio tecido socioecológico das aldeias, permitindo reflexões sobre as transformações do sistema agro-silvo-pastoril, os antigos locais convívio e trabalho, as vivências de injustiças e desigualdades, e as relações multiespécie. Este (re)encontro sensorial com a paisagem e a memória torna-se, desta forma, indispensável para pensar em comum, futuros resistentes mais justos para todos.
- Impacts of extensive sheep grazing on soil physical and chemical quality in open mountain forests, NE PortugalPublication . Fonseca, Felícia; Castro, Marina; Alves, Leonardo Kipper; Castro, José; Figueiredo, Tomás deGrazing and mechanical clearing are common techniques for vegetation management in open Mediterranean forests. Despite its recognized benefits in the prevention of high-intensity and severity forest fires, it is essential to consider its impacts on the physical and chemical soil properties. In an open mountain forest located in the NE of Portugal, soil samples were analyzed at depths 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm collected at two moments: before mechanical clearing, (Control) and after 18 months of extensive sheep grazing, in areas without grazing, only mechanical clearing (MC) and in areas with both mechanical clearing and grazing (MCG). The results indicate that vegetation cutting has induced a significant decrease in extractable potassium, and an increase in the soil organic matter and total nitrogen. The exchangeable bases and the exchangeable acidity did not undergo expressive changes, as indicated by the pH values and the cation exchangeable capacity. After grazing, extractable phosphorus and potassium, organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases, and cation exchangeable capacity have increased significantly in the topsoil (0–5 cm), reducing soil acidity. Regarding physical properties, only soil permeability has been negatively affected by grazing. Mediterranean mountain open forests management with the combination of vegetation clearing and extensive sheep grazing proved to be effective in reducing vegetable fuel availability and improving soil quality.
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Food Safety Policies in Portugal: A Stakeholder-Based Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities for Food Safety GovernancePublication . Rodrigues, Júlia; Saraiva, Cristina; García-Díez, Juan; Castro, José; Esteves, AlexandraFood safety is a fundamental component of public health, economic stability, and consumer confidence. In Portugal, the National Integrated Multiannual Control Plan (NIMCP) serves as a strategic framework for ensuring food safety and compliance with European Union food regulations. However, challenges persist in policy implementation and enforcement, as well as in stakeholder engagement, which impact the effectiveness of food safety governance. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to assess stakeholder perceptions of the NIMCP, focusing on levels of compliance, barriers to its implementation, and potential improvement measures. A structured online survey was conducted with 217 stakeholders, including representatives of public institutions, private entities, associations, and consumer groups. The survey assessed the perceived importance of the NIMCP objectives and levels of compliance and identified barriers, such as a lack of communication between public entities, the dispersion of responsible agencies, and insufficient dissemination of information. The results indicate that stakeholders perceive a satisfactory level of compliance with the NIMCP objectives, especially in areas such as animal health and risk control. However, challenges persist in ensuring plant health and implementing official controls. Furthermore, stakeholders highlight systemic inefficiencies and resource constraints. The main barriers include fragmented governance structures, limited inter-agency collaboration, and insufficient professional training. Stakeholders proposed various improvement measures, emphasizing the need for better coordination, planning, and communication, including awareness campaigns for operators, the creation of an integrated IT network, and the development of training programs. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) revealed that risk control and consumer protection are top priorities for all stakeholder groups, while plant and animal health receive lower priority. The study concludes that while the NIMCP is generally perceived as effective, addressing systemic issues such as coordination, communication, and resource allocation is essential to improving food safety governance. Policymakers are encouraged to adopt a more structured and integrated approach to improve implementation of the NIMCP, ultimately strengthening public health protection and consumer confidence in the food supply chain.
- Impacto del pastoreo extensivo en las propiedades del suelo en bosques abiertos de montaña en la región mediterráneaPublication . Fonseca, Felícia; Alves, Leonardo Kipper; Lopes, Ana Teresa; Castro, Marina; Castro, José; Figueiredo, Tomás de
- Knowledge and grazing journeys: dialogues on adaptive responses to climate change in Montesinho (Portugal)Publication . Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, José; Castro, João Paulo; Amieira, João; Serieperi, Vitor; Castro, Marina; Aleixo-Pais, Isa G.Biophysical, ecological and sociocultural local adaptative responses of pastoralism (small ruminant indigenous breeds) to climate change. Understanding the place of local ecological knowledge and climate perceptions in adaptive responses. Engaged Researech Building on the dialogue between different types of knowledge (herders, state service technicians, zootechnical and forestry scientists, anthropologists/ethnobiologists), the results are intended to equip practitioners and decision-makers with tools that guarantee the continuity of mountain pastoralism while safeguarding local experiences and knowledge.
- Impacto del pastoreo extensivo en las propiedades del suelo en bosques abiertos de montaña en la región mediterráneaPublication . Fonseca, Felícia; Lopes, Ana Teresa; Alves, Leonardo Kipper; Castro, Marina; Castro, José; Figueiredo, Tomás deEl desbroce mecánico y el pastoreo son técnicas habituales en la gestión de la vegetación en los espacios abiertos de las colinas mediterráneas. A pesar de sus reconocidos beneficios en la prevención de incendios forestales, es importante tener en cuenta sus impactos en las propiedades físicas y químicas del suelo. En un bosque montañoso abierto del NE de Portugal, se analizaron muestras de suelo a profundidades de 0-5, 5-10 y 10-20 cm tomadas en dos momentos: antes del desbroce mecánico y después de 18 meses de pastoreo de ovejas. Los resultados indican que el desbroce ha inducido un significativo descenso del potasio extraíble, y ligero descenso del contenido de materia orgánica y nitrógeno en las capas más profundas. Las bases de cambio y la acidez de cambio no sufrieron cambios expresivos, como indican los valores de pH y de la capacidad de intercambio catiónico. Tras el pastoreo, el fósforo y el potasio extraíbles, la materia orgánica, las bases de cambio y la capacidad de intercambio catiónico han aumentado significativamente en la capa superficial, reduciendo la acidez del suelo. En cuanto a las propiedades físicas, sólo la permeabilidad del suelo ha sido afectada negativamente por el pastoreo.
- Market opportunities and new sheep meat products produced by sustainable farming systemPublication . Teixeira, Alfredo; Rodrigues, Sandra; Cabo, Paula; Castro, José; Castro, MarinaWithin the scope of the Open2preserve project in northern Portugal, an integrated assessment has been developed to evaluate the efficiency of pyric herbivory to maintain open landscapes and the farm products' quality of livestock products using it. As a measurement of farm system evaluation, some meat products quality was analysed, particularly meat lamb and some meat processed products as hamburgers, sausages, pâtés, and cured legs from carcasses that come out of PGI or PDO quality brands. Results indicated that lambs produced were in the quality requirements of similar products produced in the region. The processed products would be an interesting alternative for the meat industry and a novelty for consumers, adding value to carcasses with low commercial price and consumer reduced acceptability.
- Mediterranean RegionPublication . Pattichis, George; Kazafaniotis, Savvas; Kazepi, Maro; Hatzistathis, Athanasios; Castro, José; Rubin, Goran; Mariotti, Barbara; Comic, LjiljanaThis book provides for the first time a Europe-wide overview on the state of the art of management of recreation and nature tourism in forests. It describes the current situation and conflicts in the different regions of Europe and provides solutions illustrated by good practise examples. It addresses traditions, differences and similarities in European forests as well as new tasks, goals and strategies. The final discussion provides a profound insight into future trends regarding forest recreation and nature based tourism. The Mediterranean countries participating in the COST Action E33 are: Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (Fig. 5.1). Geographically, these countries are distributed from the eastern Mediterranean area to the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. Parts of France, which is treated as one of the central European countries has also parts with Mediterranean character and similar features to the other countries discussed in this chapter. Spain was not part of the Cost Action, so that there is no data available.
- O uso dos pequenos ruminantes na prevenção dos fogos rurais: mito ou realidade?Publication . Castro, Marina; Castro, José; Fernández-Núñez, EstherOs grandes incêndios de 2003 e 2005 em Portugal revelaram a extrema vulnerabilidade da floresta ao fogo e a premência de encontrar meios eficazes de gestão dos combustíveis. A Estratégia Nacional para as Florestas (ENF), no seu eixo estruturante - minimização dos riscos dos incêndios e agentes bióticos - prevê a gestão de combustíveis através do pastoreio como medida de redução das áreas de matos com incêndios no verão. Apesar dos esforços subsequentes, a meta estipulada no Plano Nacional de Defesa da Floresta Contra Incêndios de redução da área ardida para valores médios inferiores a 100 mil hectares em 2012 não foi atingida. As áreas de montanha do norte de Portugal, onde a produção de pequenos ruminantes é uma atividade importante baseada na exploração dos recursos espontâneos, são propícias ao desenvolvimento de incêndios florestais e, portanto, muito adequadas para a implementação das diretrizes da ENF relativamente à articulação do pastoreio extensivo com medidas de silvicultura preventiva. A adoção desta “nova-velha” arte de gestão dos combustíveis necessita de conhecimentos profundos sobre as necessidades e capacidades dos animais para realizar esta tarefa. O tipo de recurso/combustível condiciona o tipo de animal – herbívoro- -pastador ou lignívoro – a utilizar. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as dietas de ovinos com a de caprinos mediante a tipologia dos recursos usados, destacando a capacidade de cada uma das espécies na remoção de diferentes tipos de recurso/ combustível. Destacou-se a presença dos recursos espontâneos lenhosos na dieta dos caprinos, evidenciado a forte aptidão desta espécie para o consumo destes.