http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1027 2026-10-14T22:47:20Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42658 Title: Effect of dose of fresh sex-sorted semen on fertility of lactating dairy cows Authors: Carvalho, P.D.; Santos, V.G.; Gonzalez-Marin, C.; Góngora, C.E.; Moreno, J.; Ross, P.J. Editors: Kononoff, Paul Abstract: The effect of the inseminating dose of fresh sex-sorted semen on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in lactating dairy cows was evaluated. Semen from 3 Angus and 3 Simmental bulls was used. Sex-sorted Y-chromosome–bearing sperm was split into 4 aliquots and extended to achieve (1) 2 × 106 spermatozoa of fresh sex-sorted semen per straw (Fresh-2M), (2) 4 × 106 spermatozoa of fresh sex-sorted semen per straw (Fresh-4M), (3) 6 × 106 spermatozoa of fresh sex-sorted semen per straw (Fresh-6M), and (4) 4 × 106 spermatozoa of frozen sex-sorted semen per straw (Frozen-4M). At 34 d post AI, P/AI differed among groups (35.4% vs. 40.0% vs. 39.9% vs. 34.7% for Fresh-2M vs. Fresh-4M vs. Fresh-6M vs. Frozen-4M, respectively). Increasing the dose of fresh sex-sorted semen from 2 × 106 to 4 × 106 spermatozoa increased P/AI. Cows inseminated with Fresh-4M and Fresh-6M had more P/AI compared with cows inseminated with Fresh-2M and more P/AI compared with cows inseminated with Frozen-4M. An asymptotic relationship between number of spermatozoa inseminated and P/AI was identified. The predicted probability of pregnancy increased rapidly with increasing semen dose up to ∼2.3 × 106 spermatozoa, after which the response approached an asymptote, with minimal additional improvement at higher doses. In conclusion, insemination with 4 × 106 spermatozoa of fresh sex-sorted semen optimized fertility in lactating dairy cows, with no additional benefit from increasing the dose to 6 × 106 spermatozoa of sex-sorted semen. Based on the dose-response model, 99% of maximal fertility was achieved at an estimated dose of 3.5 × 106 spermatozoa of fresh sex-sorted semen. 2026-09-30T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42657 Title: How animal behaviour influences indirect exposure risk to tuberculosis in Mediterranean ecosystems Authors: Diniz Sampaio, Ana; Ferreira, Eduardo M.; Sales-Baptista, Elvira; Mestre, Frederico; Duarte, Elsa L.; Vieira Cunha, Mónica; Mira, António; Santos, Sara M. Editors: Gortazar, Christian Abstract: Animal tuberculosis, caused by bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), poses major economic and socio-ecological challenges in Europe. In Mediterranean ecosystems, water scarcity constrains host movements and resource use, shaping complex pathogen transmission dynamics at wildlife-cattle interfaces. Integrating animal behaviour with activity patterns may provide insights into host use of shared environments and potential exposure pathways. Using camera trapping, we investigated how wildlife and cattle behaviour relate to potential environment-mediated MTBC exposure in a Mediterranean multi-host landscape in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. We quantified wildlife-cattle diel activity overlap and examined how water availability, habitat type, tree density, and season influence behaviours relevant to environmental exposure. We also assessed whether the occurrence of these behaviours was associated with spatial variation in environmental MTBC DNA concentration. Red deer showed the highest activity overlap with cattle, predominantly in forested areas away from water, and during the wet season (Dhat4 = 0.73). Behaviours potentially relevant to environmental exposure were most prevalent in red deer and least frequent in red foxes. Foraging dominated observations across species, drinking was common in cattle, red deer, and wild boar, and wallowing was largely restricted to red deer. Foraging occurred more frequently near water across wild species, while cattle foraged more frequently in areas with denser canopy cover and during the dry season. Environmental MTBC DNA concentration showed a marginal positive association with red deer foraging, whereas wallowing was less likely at sites with higher MTBC DNA loads. No significant associations were detected between environmental MTBC concentration and behaviour in the other species. Our findings show that behavioural patterns with shared environments provide complementary information to temporal activity overlap when assessing potential MTBC exposure. Accounting for behavioural and environmental context can help identify species, habitats, and behaviours that warrant greater attention in TB surveillance and management, while distinguishing potential exposure pathways from demonstrated transmission. 2026-09-29T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42631 Title: Adapting Mediterranean Agroforestry to Global Change: Trade-Offs and Lessons from the Montado Authors: Fatahi, Nour-Elhouda; Pinto-Correia, Teresa; Freitas, Maria de Belém Costa; Marques, J. Tiago; Belhouchette, Hatem Abstract: The Montado, a traditional Mediterranean agro-silvopastoral system, has historically sustained ecological and economic functions through the integration of trees, livestock, and crops. Today, its multifunctionality is increasingly threatened by climate variability, market volatility, and evolving policy frameworks. While previous research has examined Montado dynamics at landscape or plot scales, less attention has been paid to sustainability trajectories at the farm level, where management decisions are made. This study bridges that gap by assessing the sustainability dynamics of farms through a participatory, typology based, scenario approach grounded in a regional typology. We characterized three representative farm archetypes (forestry-focused, mixed agro-silvopastoral, and livestock-focused) and evaluated their trajectories under plausible future scenarios driven by climate, market, and policy pressures. Scenario outcomes were assessed using expert-based scoring (five-point scale), revealing score differences of up to two points across sustainability dimensions between farm archetypes and scenarios. Findings reveal marked trade-offs: Tree-focused farms maintain high environmental value but remain vulnerable to market and labor constraints, while livestock-specialized farms achieve higher economic output at the expense of ecological integrity. Mixed systems demonstrate greater resilience through diversification but face significant labor intensity challenges. We conclude that current “one-size-fits-all” policies generate contradictory incentives. Therefore, adaptive governance frameworks (e.g., results-based payment schemes) are essential to realign farm economics with ecological stewardship. Beyond the Montado, the approach provides insights relevant to other Mediterranean agroforestry systems facing similar sustainability challenges. 2026-03-10T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42629 Title: Spatiotemporal analysis of montado land cover dynamics in southern Portugal: the influence of anthropogenic and natural disturbances Authors: Marques, J. Tiago; Guiomar, Nuno; Machado, Rui; Pinto-Correia, Teresa Abstract: The montado is a traditional agroforestry system in Portugal that combines cork or holm oak trees with pastures and crops. It provides multiple ecosystems services and supports rural livelihoods. However, in recent decades, the montado has faced several threats that have caused its decline and degradation. Here, we analyse the recent changes in montado cover—between 2006 and 2018—and assess the main drivers and processes of change. We used a 2006 montado cover map as a baseline and overlayed it with aerial photographs of 2018, examining the montado areas for land use shifts by installation of intensive crops, wildfire occurrences or tree plantations. Our results show that the montado covered 1,189,390 hectares (ha) in 2018, and that there was a decrease of the montado area from 2006 by 31,312 ha (95% CI 29,706–32,943 ha), declining at an annual loss of 2609 ha (0.21% year−1; 95% CI 0.201–0.223% year−1). Although this is a slower rate compared to an early analysis, the impact of large-scale events (record burned areas) and infrastructure (large dam) likely explains it. The montado area shifts were mainly caused by wildfires (70%), the opening or broadening of clearings due to tree mortality (18%) and the new installations of intensive crops (olive or almond groves and irrigated cereals—8.4%). Most of the analysed quadrats (60%) exhibited one category of loss in montado patches: perforation, loss of area, fragmentation or decrease in the number of patches; but fragmentation was the type of dynamic with higher value of area loss. The perforation specific analysis revealed that this phenomenon of the early phase of decline is prevalent throughout the montado land cover. The main process identified was tree mortality linked to pathogens, pests, and inadequate management, while wildfires and the establishment of intensive agricultural practices were ranked second and third, respectively. Despite the efforts to slow the decline of the montado, we have observed its continuing transformation into smaller, more fragmented and less connected montado patches. These resulting patches are considerably less resilient to the pressures they are facing. In a scenario of the continuation of the decline and loss pressures, the evolving transformation will continue and may even accelerate. 2026-06-24T23:00:00Z