http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1027 2026-09-05T23:24:51Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42536 Title: Sheep Grazing Dynamics in Montado Ecosystem: Holistic and Technological Approach Based on Pasture Monitoring Authors: Serrano, João; Moral, F.; Shahidian, S.; Pinto, H.; Paniagua, L.; Carreira, E.; Charneca, R.; Pereira, A. Editors: Gentili, Rodolfo Abstract: Extensive livestock farming is characteristic of the landscape of the Mediterranean regions of Southern Iberian Peninsula. These production systems based on dryland pastures provide a wide range of services and contribute to maintaining environmental balance when compared with intensive agricultural or other livestock production systems. The Portuguese Montado is a habitat of Community importance and is protected under the European Natura 2000 network. This makes any research aimed at preserving, maintaining, or restoring this ecosystem particularly important to ensure its sustainable management. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate: (i) the impact of dolomitic limestone application on soil pH; (ii) the relation between multiple soil parameters; (iii) the impact of grazing preferences and livestock stocking rates on topsoil compaction; (iv) temporal and spatial sheep grazing patterns and sward productivity, quality and floristic composition throughout the growing vegetative season. This study was carried out during the vegetative cycle of 2023/2024 on a 4-ha pasture field located at Mitra farm (Southern Portugal). The experimental design included four treatments resulting from the combination of limestone application (with and without) and stocking rate (traditional: 7 sheep ha−1 ; high: 18 sheep ha−1 ). Sheep grazing preferences, soil compaction and fertility, sward productivity, quality and floristic composition were monitored at 48 sampling areas. The results confirm that improving soil pH through the application of dolomitic limestone is an effective, although slow and gradual process. When combined with grazing management through increased stocking rates, several important outcomes were observed: (i) preferential grazing areas did not exhibit significant differences in soil trampling; (ii) higher stocking rates resulted in less selective grazing; (iii) soil amendment and higher livestock stocking rates contributed to greater pasture crude protein content; and (iv) the influence of pasture quality on grazing preferences depended on the phase of the pasture-grazing cycle. Overall, these findings are promising indicators of sustainability for extensive animal production in Mediterranean dryland silvopastoral systems. However, with regard to the sward, as this study only monitored a single growing season, will need to be validated in future studies. 2026-07-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42535 Title: Sensor-Based Pasture Quality Monitoring: Supporting Grazing Management and Preventing Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders in Ruminants Authors: Pinto, Henrique; Santos, Ricardo; Defalque, Guilherme; Moral, Francisco; Serrano, João Editors: Liu, Yufei Abstract: Pasture quality monitoring is essential for optimizing grazing management and reducing the incidence of nutritional and metabolic disorders in ruminants, yet conventional field-based measurements remain labor-intensive and limited in spatial coverage. This review examines how remote sensing (RS) technologies can support pasture-based livestock systems by providing timely, scalable assessments of biomass, botanical composition, and nutritive attributes. Data from multispectral, hyperspectral, radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, acquired via satellite, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and proximal platforms, are combined with machine learning (ML) methods and radiative transfer models to derive pasture biophysical and quality indicators. The reviewed evidence shows that RS reliably estimates pasture biomass and structural traits, while advances in spectral unmixing, data fusion, and artificial intelligence (AI) improve the characterization of heterogeneous swards and support emerging indicators related to forage quality. Integrating these remotely sensed metrics into grassland decision-support frameworks can enhance grazing allocation, inform fertilization and irrigation decisions, and help detect conditions associated with nutritional imbalances. Overall, the synthesis demonstrates that RS, particularly when combined with advanced modelling and cloud-based processing, offers a robust pathway for improving pasture monitoring and strengthening the nutritional management of ruminants, thereby supporting more sustainable and animal welfare-focused grazing systems. 2026-07-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42411 Title: Merchant Ship Recycling as a Strategy for Decarbonization Maritime Sector Authors: Vásquez, Carmen Luisa; Isbaex, Crismeire; Rosa, Luís; Borges, Francisco António; Marinho, Lucas de Aquino; Batista, Teresa Editors: Bolívar, Manuel Pedro Rodríguez; Petrosillo, Irene Abstract: Maritime transport supports 80% of global trade but contributes 2.9% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite its vital role, ship recycling remains limited, with only 8.9% of the fleet’s gross tonnage recycled annually—contrasting with the ongoing construction of carbon-intensive new ships. The shipbuilding process generates between 5000 and 14,500 tCO2eq per unit, with 70–85% of emissions stemming from material production (mainly steel), and 10–20% from industrial processes at shipyards. In this context, ship recycling emerges as a critical strategy for reducing carbon footprints and fostering circularity in the maritime sector. Depending on the technology used, recycling significantly mitigates environmental impact by recovering materials and reducing the demand for virgin resources and energy. In a global context, Europe leads in this domain, accounting for 23% of global ship recycling activity and hosting 38 of the 48 EU-authorized facilities (Commission Implementing Decision 2025/322). Particularly in merchant segments—bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers—recycling is becoming essential to decarbonization goals. These ship types, which have grown 35.4% globally from 2015 to 2024 (UNCTADstat, 2025), dominate the fleet’s composition and thus offer significant potential for impact. This study assesses merchant ship recycling as a strategy to reduce carbon emissions. It employs a multidimensional methodology: first, a systematic literature review identifies key recycling technologies, regulatory frameworks, and challenges; secondly, an analysis of global trends is carried out regarding adoption, ship types, and geographical distribution; finally, the carbon footprint of building new ships versus recycling old ones is compared. Findings reveal that recycling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 46.4% compared to new constructions, positioning it as a cornerstone of maritime sustainability and climate mitigation. 2025-12-03T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42399 Title: A critical application of the Agroecology Criteria Tool to evaluate agri-food initiatives in Portugal Authors: Duarte, Luís; Muñoz-Rojas, José; Horstink, Lanka Abstract: Agroecology is being increasingly promoted as a pathway toward more sustainable agri-food systems, but its systemic and multidimensional nature makes agroecological assessment particularly difficult. While several frameworks have been developed to evaluate agroecological compliance, little is known about how agroecology is currently implemented and evaluated at the national level. This study examines 34 agroecological research and advocacy initiatives in Portugal using the Agroecology Criteria Tool (ACT), representing, to our knowledge, the first national-level application of a similar framework. The analysis shows that only a few initiatives considered fully adopt a systemic approach to agroecology, with most demonstrating only partial integration of the agroecological principles. Clear differences appear between types of initiatives: projects focused on agroecosystems tend to highlight ecological aspects, while food-system-focused initiatives mainly act as social and institutional facilitators rather than as leaders of comprehensive agroecological transformation. Meanwhile, applying the ACT reveals its usefulness and limitations, especially regarding overlaps among criteria and how elements are organized, which somehow restricts its ability to capture the dynamics within the groups of initiatives. Based on these results, we suggest targeted improvements to the tool to improve its clarity and usefulness. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for strong, transparent, and context-sensitive assessment frameworks to support evidence-based decisions and effectively guide the transition to agroecology. 2026-05-11T23:00:00Z