Enhancing rangeland management through technology: a case study of sheep and goat grazing in Montesinho Natural Park

Castro, José; Fellahi, Mohamed; Benmellouk, Issam; Castro, Marina; Yessef, Mohammed

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35247

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
Enhancing rangeland (003).pdf		1.04 MB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Abstract(s)

The 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.

Keywords

Pastoralism GNSS tracking Silvopastoral systems Mediterranean landscapes

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35247

Citation

Castro, José; Fellahi, Mohamed; Benmellouk, Issam; Castro, Marina; Yessef, Mohammed (2025). Enhancing rangeland management through technology: a case study of sheep and goat grazing in Montesinho Natural Park. In XII International Rangeland Congress. p. 592-596