Progress in Identifying High Nature Value Montados: Impacts of Grazing on Hardwood Rangeland Biodiversity

Abstract

Due to their complex structure and traditional low-intensity management, Portuguese oak woodland rangelands known as montados are often considered high nature value (HNV) farming systems, and as such, they may be deemed eligible for subsidies and incentives by governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Too little is known about how the HNV concept might be applied to conserve complex silvopastoral systems. These systems, due to their structural and functional complexity at multiple scales, tend to support high levels of biodiversity. Montados are in sharp decline as a result of the rapid specialization of land management that, through simplification, undermines multifunctionality. Understanding how changes in management influence these systems and their biodiversity is needed for prioritizing conservation efforts and for ensuring they remain HNV systems. On the basis of a field survey in 58 plots distributed among 29 paddocks on 17 farms, we conducted an integrated analysis of the relationship between grazing intensity and biodiversity in montados of similar biophysical and structural characteristics. Data on management were obtained through interviews, and biodiversity data (vegetation, macrofungi, birds, herpetofauna) were obtained through specific field protocols. Additional spatial data, such as soil characteristics, slope, land cover, and linear landscape elements, were also analyzed. The results show no overall biodiversity variation as a result of different management practices. However, different groups of species react differently to specific management practices, and within a pasture, grazing impacts are heterogenous. In low grazing intensity plots, macrofungi species richness was found to be higher, while bird species richness was lower. Using tree regeneration as proxy for montado sustainability, results show less tree regeneration in areas with higher forage quality and more intense grazing. Pathways for future progress are proposed, including creating areas within a paddock that attract grazing away from where regeneration is desired.

High nature value farmlands: challenges in identification and interpretation using Cyprus as a case study

“…Different approaches have also been employed, such as the one by Halada et al (2011) who propose the inclusion of Annex I habitat types depending on agricultural management, while in Italy, Galdenzi et al (2012) based their work on current and potential vegetation cover data obtainable from different integrated vegetation maps. The geographical context is evidently important in HNVf definition and mapping with fine grained mosaics characterising southern Europe landscapes compared to their counterparts in the north (Pinto Correia et al 2018).…”

Caught in a Deadlock: Small Ruminant Farming on the Greek Island of Samothrace. The Importance of Regional Contexts for Effective EU Agricultural Policies

“…Thus, a continuous overutilization of local grazing resources undermines the very existence of the system (Figure 6). While both the abandonment and intensification of grazing represent challenges for Mediterranean ecosystems [12], Samothrace is clearly affected by the latter. This, in combination with a social and economic crisis indicated by the low average income of small ruminant farmers (Figure 8) and confirmed in qualitative interviews, threatens the very basis of farming on the island.…”

“…The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plays a special role in the transformation of grazing-based farming systems throughout the EU. In some regions, subsidy schemes supported the abandonment of grazing through the conversion of extensive pastures into forests or crop production; while in other regions, grazing was intensified through direct payments that initiated higher animal stocking rates [12]. Local socio-economic contexts and needs are often insufficiently taken into consideration by EU-wide agricultural policies, resulting in mixed outcomes for farmers [13].…”

Spatial modelling of biodiversity conservation priorities in Portugal’s Montado ecosystem using Marxan with Zones

“…The climate is dry, with an average annual precipitation of c. 500 mm (PBH Guadiana 2001). The study site was selected due to the high conservation value of the Montado ecosystem in the area (e.g., Pinto-Correia et al 2018). In recognition of its important value, the Montado is protected under several European laws and national regulations, including Natura 2000.…”

“…The use of traditional agro-pastoral and extensive oak woods in the region has been threatened by both natural (e.g., high frequency of wildfires) and anthropogenic driving forces (e.g., agricultural intensification and increasing land abandonment) (Acácio et al 2010, Pinto-Correia & Godinho 2013, Pinto-Correia et al 2018, Soares et al 2018, leading to a loss of Montado area at a rate of c. 0.14% per year (Godinho et al 2016). Despite the existing protected areas, the poor management of the traditional multifunctional oak system is expected to lead to more single-function patches and the loss of landscape values and resources in the future.…”