The conversion of rockrose (Cistus ladanifer L.) shrubland into biodiverse pastures

• Autores: Vieira, João; Filip, Iván Daniel; Matos, Isabel; Rodrigues, Alessandra; Trindade, Ana Rita; Silva, Luís; Cassinello, João; Carita, Teresa; Freitas, Maria de Belém; Neves, Alcinda
• Año de publicación: 2025
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Fuente: Croatian journal of food science and technology 17 (2) : 1-15. (2025)
• Materia: Cistus; Shrubs; Pastures; Ornamental Woody Plants; Sheep; Grazing; Arbustos; Pastizales; Plantas Leñosas Ornamentales; Ovinos; Pastoreo; Cistus ladanifer
• Institución: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria

Pastures in the Mediterranean region are vital for sustaining local agriculture and preserving biodiversity. When well-managed, these pastures enhance soil structure and fertility, reduce erosion, and improve water retention. These functions are especially critical in a climate marked by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Moreover, these systems play a key role in carbon sequestration, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation. Mediterranean pastures also support the conservation of endemic plant species and provide essential habitats for a variety of wildlife. Quinta do Freixo (Algarve, Portugal) with an area around 800 hectares, is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and promotes ecological, economic and social sustainability. In addition to organic agriculture production, the farm also produces value-added food products and offers rural tourism experiences. On this farm, a dense shrubland of rockrose (Cistus ladanifer L.) is converted into pastures using a holistic method that includes mechanical cutting of the shrubs, spreading hay and grazing with Campaniça sheep under a regenerative rotational grazing (RRG) system. As a part of the project named “Revitalgarve: Revitalization of rural areas” (PRR-C05-i03-I-000237), these restored pastures are regularly monitored. Assessments included measurements of dry matter production and floristic composition. In addition, both the pastures and Cistus ladanifer shrublands were evaluated for the nutritional value and mineral composition of their foliage material. This approach has contributed to the development of species-rich pastures, rich in legumes and grasses and characterized by high protein content, excellent digestibility, and a well-balanced mineral composition. Although Cistus ladanifer had a relatively lower nutritional value due to its lower protein content and digestibility, the analysis showed that its aerial parts can serve as a supplementary feed resource, especially in periods of forage scarcity, contributing to overall feed availability in extensive grazing systems.The control of shrublands through this practice maintains biodiversity and reduces the risk of wildfires by effectively managing fuel loads.
EEA Las Breñas
Fil: Vieira, João. University of Algarve. Faculty of Sciences and Technology; Portugal
Fil: Filip, Iván Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Formosa; Argentina.
Fil: Filip, Iván Daniel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Las Breñas; Argentina
Fil: Matos, Isabel. University of Algarve. Faculty of Sciences and Technology; Portugal
Fil: Rodrigues, Alessandra. University of Algarve. Faculty of Sciences and Technology; Portugal
Fil: Rodrigues, Alessandra. MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development and Change—Global Change and Sustainability Institute; Portugal
Fil: Trindade, Ana Rita. University of Algarve. Faculty of Sciences and Technology; Portugal
Fil: Trindade, Ana Rita. MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development and Change—Global Change and Sustainability Institute; Portugal
Fil: Silva, Luís. Algarve Agricultural and Industrial Society; Portugal
Fil: Cassinello, João. CCDR Algarve – Agriculture and Fisheries; Portugal
Fil: Carita, Teresa. National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research; Portugal
Fil: Freitas, Maria de Belém. University of Algarve. Faculty of Sciences and Technology; Portugal
Fil: Freitas, Maria de Belém. MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development and Change—Global Change and Sustainability Institute; Portugal
Fil: Neves, Alcinda. University of Algarve. Faculty of Sciences and Technology; Portugal