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Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 14449

Special Issue Editors

Department of Agroforestry Sciences, Higher Technical School of Agronomic Engineering, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: goat systems; pastoral farming; profitability; ecosystem services; sustainability
Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: ecology; goat grazing; plant–ungulate interactions; Mediterranean ecosystems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to share your latest scientific findings in the upcoming Special Issue on "Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment" in the peer-reviewed open-access journal, Sustanaibility.

In developed countries, pastoral small-ruminant husbandry is threatened with extinction. In addition to providing food (milk and meat) to society, this type of livestock farming, which is associated with a wide variety of livestock breeds, plant species, landscapes, and management styles, has, when responsibly and appropriately managed, a relevant role in the conservation of ecosystems, because it enhances biodiversity and contributes to its maintenance, management, and protection. Therefore, the increasing disappearance of a great number of pastoral uses in those ecosystems has a negative impact on their conservation.

Aware of the importance of preserving this type of land-based goat breeding, this Special Issue of Sustainability presents the major scientific advances in the characterization, analysis, and improvement of pastoral goat systems, as well as the results of research on the interaction of these systems with the natural and social environments where they are developed. It is essential to generate information on the various aspects of the production system, whether economic (profitability, cost structure, stability, etc.), environmental (energy efficiency, contribution to climate change, enhancement of biodiversity, maintenance of ecosystems, etc.), or social (employment promotion in marginal areas, generational renewal, quality of the product, animal welfare, visibilization of women, etc.). All of these aspects aim at making goat husbandry more sustainable, thus ensuring its continuity. The acknowledgment and promotion of the ecosystem services associated with pastoral goat husbandry are indeed a key element in achieving sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Yolanda Mena
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Goat grazing
  • Environment protection
  • Ecosystem services
  • Carbon footprint
  • Energy efficiency
  • Meat and milk quality
  • Sustainability
  • Farming and natural resources
  • Sustainable agricultural policy

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 746 KiB  
Article
Compliance of Goat Farming under Extensive Grazing with the Organic Standards and Its Contribution to Sustainability in Puebla, Mexico
by José Nahed Toral, Zenón Gerardo López Tecpoyotl, José Roberto Aguilar Jiménez, Daniel Grande Cano and Claudia Delgadillo Puga
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6293; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13116293 - 02 Jun 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3218
Abstract
In order to determine whether organic production may be a viable option for goat farmers of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, Mexico, in order to increase sustainability of their farms, we evaluated the extent to which these goat farms fulfill organic standards. [...] Read more.
In order to determine whether organic production may be a viable option for goat farmers of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, Mexico, in order to increase sustainability of their farms, we evaluated the extent to which these goat farms fulfill organic standards. Additionally, we revised their level of sustainability by calculating an Organic Livestock Conversion Index (OLCI) using 10 indicators and 36 variables. Information was obtained through two means: direct observation and a questionnaire applied to 119 goat farmers of six municipalities of the region. These goat farms principally consist of creole goats that graze in extensive communal rangelands and grasslands in non-arable lands with xerophytic vegetation, and their principal product is meat of adult goats. The goat farms had a moderate level of OLCI (48.0–53.6%) as well as a moderate level of sustainability (46.0–58%) for the goat farms included in this study). Five indicators showed limited compliance of the goat farms, with organic standards. Five showed a high level of compliance. The greater the OLCI value, the greater the sustainability of the goat farms. Increasing the level of compliance of the goat farms of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, with the organic standards, which would in turn increase their level of sustainability, would require improving technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects of these farms, as well as co-responsibility in promoting sustainable organic goat farming by the different social actors involved (farmers, researchers, technical advisors, and policymakers). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment)
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15 pages, 1384 KiB  
Article
Natural Carbon Sinks Linked to Pastoral Activity in S Spain: A Territorial Evaluation Methodology for Mediterranean Goat Grazing Systems
by Sara Muñoz Vallés, Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón, Eduardo Morales-Jerrett and Yolanda Mena
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6085; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13116085 - 28 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1714
Abstract
Exploring and developing new tools for the accounting and management of natural C sinks will provide a closer, more accurate option to remark the importance of such sinks in relation to livestock production, helping to support the persistence of some seriously endangered traditional, [...] Read more.
Exploring and developing new tools for the accounting and management of natural C sinks will provide a closer, more accurate option to remark the importance of such sinks in relation to livestock production, helping to support the persistence of some seriously endangered traditional, environmentally sustainable livestock farming. Following both precision and usability criteria, two main C sink databases covering the Andalusian region (S Spain) were developed from the Spanish Land Parcel Identification System (SIGPAC, coarse resolution) and the Spanish Information System on Land Cover (SIOSE, finer resolution) land use classes. Particular C sink factors based on growth rates for individual plant species were associated with detailed vegetation maps and, further, were linked to Land Use and Covers cartography across the region. In addition, eight ruminant farms were exhaustively studied in situ and used as a control. Results were compared with the obtained through the application of the developed C sink databases, and with the commonly used Petersen methodology. The sink capacity of vegetation associated with farms varied from 0.25 to 1.37 t CO2 ha−1 year−1, depending on the plant species composition and abundance. All the approaches showed significant differences from the control. C sink values were significantly higher when applying SIGPAC-based C sink database to farms, while values from the SIOSE and Petersen methodology approaches provided more moderate values, closer to the control. SIGPAC and Petersen approaches showed higher usability but presented lower precision due to a poor definition of plant cover. SIOSE-based C sink database provided suitable values able to be adapted to reality and used by farmers. In this regard, further research efforts to improve the adjustment of results and ease of use are required. The present approach means a methodological advance in the estimation of the C sink capacity associated with pastoral livestock farms, able to be incorporated into the CF calculation in contrasted areas worldwide, in the frame of the ‘eco-schemes’ being recently under development through the EU CAP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment)
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10 pages, 9609 KiB  
Article
Effects of Diet Selection by Goats Grazing on the Vegetation of a Protected Pine Forest in Doñana Natural Park (SW Spain)
by Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón, Rocío Fernández-Alés and Ángel Martín Vicente
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3950; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13073950 - 02 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1428
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between feeding selection by goats and changes in plant species abundance in the shrubland of a pine forest in Doñana Natural Park along three years. The abundance of the shrub species was measured using the point-intercept method. Goat preferences [...] Read more.
We investigated the relationship between feeding selection by goats and changes in plant species abundance in the shrubland of a pine forest in Doñana Natural Park along three years. The abundance of the shrub species was measured using the point-intercept method. Goat preferences for shrub species were determined through direct observation. Goats showed selective feeding, since their browsing behavior was not related to species abundance. Myrtus communis was the overall preferred species (almost half of the bites belonged to this species, despite its low abundance) throughout the monitored years and seasons. Half of the species were selected some years while discarded others; two species were never grazed (Daphne gnidium and Thymus mastichina) and nine others were always ingested below their abundance. Within a year, species were consumed in certain seasons but not in others. The detected changes in species abundance were not related to the feeding preferences of the goats. The influence that grazing selectivity exerts on vegetation composition and abundance has long been recognized, but our study suggests that the mechanical effect of grazing herbivores on vegetation (pawing, scratching, and lying) may portrait a more important role than attributed to date. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment)
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13 pages, 977 KiB  
Article
Can Shrub Flammability be Affected by Goat Grazing? Flammability Parameters of Mediterranean Shrub Species under Grazing
by Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón, Carmen Hernando, Jesús Cambrollé, Sara Muñoz-Vallés, Rafael Pino-Mejías and Ángel Martín Vicente
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1555; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13031555 - 02 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1763
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated changes in the potential flammability of different Mediterranean shrub species in a pine (Pinus pinea) forest in the Doñana Natural Park (of SW Spain) as a result of goat grazing. Plant height, total biomass, fine fuel [...] Read more.
In this study, we evaluated changes in the potential flammability of different Mediterranean shrub species in a pine (Pinus pinea) forest in the Doñana Natural Park (of SW Spain) as a result of goat grazing. Plant height, total biomass, fine fuel biomass and leaves/wood ratio were measured in individual plants of each species in both grazed and ungrazed areas. Moisture content, mean time of ignition, mean time of combustion, gross heat of combustion (GHC) and flammability class of the studied shrub species were determined in the laboratory. The results of this experiment showed that grazing influenced the flammability characteristics of the studied shrub species. However, the strength of this effect was insufficient to modify the flammability index of these plants, except in the case of Myrtus communis, in which grazed plants presented a lower flammability index. According to Valette’s classification, Cistus salviifolius, Halimium halimifolium and Pistacea lentiscus are flammable species, Rosmarinus officinalis is a flammable-highly flammable species, and M. communis is non-flammable. The GHC values obtained were generally “intermediate”, except for those of R. officinalis, which were classified as “high”. The flammability parameters of the study species did not show a very marked trend in relation to grazing, but the vertical structure of plants did change by presenting reduced biomass of leaves and fine twigs. This change altered the physical characteristics of these plants and possibly acted to reduce the inherent fire risk of the shrublands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment)
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14 pages, 8594 KiB  
Article
The Role of Feral Goats in Maintaining Firebreaks by Using Attractants
by Javier Pareja, Elena Baraza, Miguel Ibáñez, Oriol Domenech and Jordi Bartolomé
Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 7144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12177144 - 01 Sep 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2996
Abstract
The threat of large forest fires is increasing, and the main causes are the depopulation of rural areas, along with the effects of climate change. To counter this threat in recent decades, there have been numerous proposals and actions aimed at promoting grazing [...] Read more.
The threat of large forest fires is increasing, and the main causes are the depopulation of rural areas, along with the effects of climate change. To counter this threat in recent decades, there have been numerous proposals and actions aimed at promoting grazing in the forest as a tool for controlling biomass fuel. However, the continued disappearance of traditional herds makes this activity difficult. Rural depopulation has also meant that domestic species become feral, being habitual in the case of goats. Currently, little is known about the role that feral goats can play in the fight against forest fires. In this work, an analysis is made on the effect of feral goats on the control of the vegetation in firebreak areas. Furthermore, the effect of attractants, such as water, salt, or food, on goat behavior is also studied. The study was carried out on the island of Mallorca, where a population of feral goats occupies the mountain areas, and where it is common for them to graze on the network of firebreaks. The results showed that these areas in themselves exert an attractive effect with respect to the neighboring forest, and that the herbaceous biomass is reduced. This effect was enhanced with the implementation of water and salt points, although only in certain periods of the year. In general, it was possible to reduce the phytovolume of many species without affecting biodiversity in the short or medium term. Therefore, strategic management of feral animals, aimed at firebreak areas, could contribute not only to reducing the risk of fires and, consequently, to the mitigation of climate change, but also to attracting these animals to the forests, thus avoiding their dispersion to conflictive places such as roads, residences, agricultural fields, and gardens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment)
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11 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
Endozoochory by Goats of Two Invasive Weeds with Contrasted Propagule Traits
by Ahmed M. Abbas, Mohammed Al-Kahtani, Mohamed Abdelazeem Mousa, Mohammed O. Badry, Ahmed S.A. Hassaneen, Ahmed Ezzat-Ahmed, Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón and Jesús M. Castillo
Sustainability 2020, 12(13), 5450; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12135450 - 06 Jul 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2273
Abstract
Invasive plants have very important ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Producing and dispersing many viable seeds are key plant functional traits for invaders. Ungulate grazing plays an important role in the endozoochorous seed dispersal within grasslands and rangelands. Grazing can be applied as a [...] Read more.
Invasive plants have very important ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Producing and dispersing many viable seeds are key plant functional traits for invaders. Ungulate grazing plays an important role in the endozoochorous seed dispersal within grasslands and rangelands. Grazing can be applied as a practical and economical control method for plant invasions. We analyzed the effects of seed passage through the goat digestive system on the germination and viability for Sorghum halepense and Malva parviflora, common invasive species with contrasted propagules and seed traits. Both studied species produced seeds able to survive, in a small percentages (c. 0.80–1.70%), after being eaten by goats. Most of the seeds (c. 40–55%) of both species were retrieved between 24–48 h after ingestion. Goat passage provoked a decrease (> 60%) in the germination percentage and seed viability of S. halepense that was higher with longer gut retention times. In M. parviflora, the goat gut passage did not break its primary physical dormancy, since no retrieved seed germinated with similar viability as the uneaten seeds (c. 90%). In view of our results, goat grazing can be applied as a useful method to control S. halepense and M. parviflora invasions. Goats should be kept in corrals for at least 4 days after grazing to prevent transferring viable seeds to uninfected areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pastoral Goat Husbandry and Environment)
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