journal article·2023-05-19Open access

Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem (Soil–Pasture–Tree and Animals): A Review of Monitoring Technologies and Grazing Systems

Emanuel Carreira, João Serrano, José Lopes de Castro, Shakib Shahidian, Alfredo F. Pereira

Applied Sciences· Volume 13· Issue 10

Abstract

Montado is an agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem characteristic of the south of Portugal and called Dehesa in Spain. Its four fundamental components—soil, pasture, trees, and animals—as well as the climate make Montado a highly complex ecosystem. This review article provides an overview of the state of the art of Montado from the point of view of the agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem and the scientific work carried out in this context. Thus, the aim is: (i) to describe and characterize the Montado ecosystem, as an agro-silvo-pastoral system; (ii) to reveal experimental tests carried out, technologies used or with the potential to be used in the monitoring of Montado; (iii) to address other technologies, carried out in similar and different agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems from south Portugal. This review consists of three chapters: (a) components of Montado and their interactions; (b) advanced technologies for monitoring Montado; (c) grazing systems. No review article is known to provide an overview of Montado. Thus, it is essential to carry out research on grazing and its effects on the soil and pasture in the Montado ecosystem.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology · Soil erosion and sediment transport

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, and CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Évora University, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal

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