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Percorrer ESACB - Escola Superior Agrária por Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) "13:Ação Climática"
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- Connecting present and future soil erosion risk in the upper Tagus river Region of PortugalPublication . Duarte, A.C.; Quinta-Nova, L.; Monteiro, M.C.H.; Çiner, A.Soil water erosion causes soil degradation, affecting its fertility and, consequently, leading to the loss of its productive capacity and may contribute to a process of desertification. Countries in the Mediterranean basin are under the influence of a climate pattern that is unfavorable to maintaining effective soil cover, with peak precipitation events occurring, and an increase in soil erosion rates is expected in changing scenarios. Climate, where the occurrence of extreme meteorological phenomena will be more frequent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the present situation and estimate the future soil erosion risk of in the upper region of the Portuguese part of the Tagus River basin, where agricultural use and livestock activities are dominant in soils that are highly susceptible to erosion. The soil loss estimation was carried out for the current situation and for the climatic conditions projected for 2050, considering two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). We use the RUSLE methodology to determine the risk of soil water erosion. Although annual precipitation decreases for both RCPs, the erosivity index will increase in both scenarios. Our findings provide insights into the consequences of socioeconomic development options on physical land degradation and loss. To understand the process of soil water erosion, using modeling and other tools, is very important for the design of policy instruments that minimize the effects of climate change on soil.
- Ecosystem services and biodiversity in regional development. The landscape approach.Publication . Quinta-Nova, Luís; Cabaceira, Suzete; Castanho, RuiThe establishment of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment by the United Nations sparked increased interest in Ecosystem Services (ES), leading to the publication of various articles. Currently, the most accepted definition describes ES as the “benefits that people obtain from ecosystems.” An ecosystem is defined as a “dynamic complex of plant, animal, and microorganism communities and the nonliving environment, interacting as a functional unit”. Over time, the occupation and transformation of land use have markedly reduced the extent of natural habitats and significantly increased their fragmentation. This threatens biodiversity and has negatively affected ecosystems’ functions in producing goods and services essential to human societies. Developing and implementing an ecological network (EN) is considered an effective strategy for nature conservation, enhancing biodiversity and fostering ecological connectivity. In this context, EN adopts a comprehensive perspective on spatial planning, positioning it at the heart of a larger Green Infrastructure framework.
- Use of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in the diet of small ruminantsPublication . Pitacas, F.I.; Reis, C.M.G.; Rodrigues, A.M.The use of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) has proven to be a viable alternative for feeding small ruminants, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It serves as an accessible source of water and nutrients, partially replacing more expensive and less available feeds, especially during periods of feed scarcity. This review examines the nutritional value and chemical composition of cactus pear cladodes and their application in small ruminant feeding. Additionally, general aspects related to planting systems, biomass production, and cladode storage are discussed. Three examples of diets incorporating Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in small ruminant feeding are presented: Assaf sheep breed, fattening lamb, and Saanen goat breed. In these diets, the proportion of fresh O. ficus-indica cladodes varied between 51.3% and 79.2%. A literature review was conducted to evaluate the impact of cactus pear cladodes on meat and milk production and quality. In general, O. ficus-indica cladodes exhibit low levels of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). However, they are an excellent source of energy, rich in non-fibrous arbohydrates, and have a high DM digestibility. Given the importance of DM, CP, and NDF in ruminant nutrition and the high-water content of cladodes, O. ficus-indica can be effectively integrated into diets when animals have access to dry forage and a high-CP feed source. The use of O. ficus-indica represents a promising option for feeding small ruminants, offering a sustainable solution to reduce dependence on imported feeds and contributing to a lower carbon footprint, without compromising meat and milk production or quality.