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Using GEDI‑derived vegetation structural metrics to evaluate avian biodiversity patterns in Mediterranean habitats

2026-04-21T15:06:26Z

Title: Using GEDI‑derived vegetation structural metrics to evaluate avian biodiversity patterns in Mediterranean habitats Authors: Valerio, Francesco; Pereira, Pedro F; Salgueiro, Pedro; Godinho, Carlos; Silva, João Paulo; Guise, Inês; Godinho, Sérgio Abstract: Avian communities are highly sensitive to variations in vegetation structure, which in turn is strongly influenced by fine-scale habitat heterogeneity. Traditional categorical land-cover maps often fail to capture this heterogeneity, limiting our ability to monitor avian biodiversity across broad extents. To address this, we present a remote-sensing framework that integrates spaceborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) metrics from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) with Sentinel‑1 radar and Sentinel‑2 multispectral data to generate vertical and horizontal vegetation structure encompassing biodiversity-rich environments. Our study covers three areas with contrasting Mediterranean habitats in southern Portugal—woodland, open woodland, and grasslands—where breeding birds were surveyed between 2020 and 2024. We used random forests models to evaluate the ability of GEDI‑derived standard metrics (RH75, RH95, PAI, FHD, AGBD) and structural heterogeneity metrics (Shannon entropy, Rao’s Q), to predict avian species richness and abundance along the woodland-grassland habitat gradient. We then developed a targeted model for an intermediate open woodland landscape (montado), using the tawny owl (Strix aluco) as a model species, to evaluate how those same predictors explain local abundance patterns. Finally, we included common aggregation methods (e.g., mean, maximum) for each metric in the analysis, as well as the effect of scale (75 and 225 m) at the plot level where bird surveys were conducted. This study demonstrated that GEDI-derived upper canopy heterogeneity (Rao’s Q of RH75 at 225 m), aboveground biomass, and canopy density together explained over 70% of the variation in avian species richness and total abundance. Grasslands, despite the lower overall densities, supported key specialists such as the little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), underscoring their essential role alongside structurally rich wood pastures. Although the random forests model for the tawny owl accounted for a smaller share of variance, it revealed a significant positive response to canopy height and a bimodal relationship with foliage height diversity (FHD). Together, these findings emphasize that Mediterranean bird communities depend upon a mosaic of habitat structures, such as layered woodlands with canopy gaps and understory clusters providing nesting, roosting, and foraging niches, while open terrains sustain species adapted to sparse cover. By integrating spaceborne LiDAR from GEDI with Sentinel‑1 radar and Sentinel‑2 optical data, our framework offers a scalable, fine‑grained approach for biodiversity monitoring across Mediterranean landscapes that are overlooked for such applications. We recommend that conservation strategies maintain both three-dimensional woodland complexity and retain extensive grassland habitats to support flagship species. Future work linking GEDI metrics with detailed ground-based microhabitat surveys and avifaunal monitoring will be crucial for pinpointing the structural drivers of species distributions and refining management practices to maximize both richness and abundance.

Soil Compaction in Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem: Dolomitic Limestone Application, Sheep Grazing Management and Tree Effects

2026-04-21T09:23:51Z

Title: Soil Compaction in Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem: Dolomitic Limestone Application, Sheep Grazing Management and Tree Effects Authors: Serrano, João; Shahidian, Shakib; Carreira, Emanuel; Moral, F.; Paniagua, L.; Charneca, R.; Pereira, A. Editors: Rusu, Teodor Abstract: Extensive animal production systems based on dryland pastures in Mediterranean regions have low profit margins. Improvements in soil fertility or grazing management and stocking rates are recognized strategies for reversing this situation and to ensure long term agricultural sustainability. This article aims to assess whether this strategy of possible intensification of sheep production has a significant impact on soil compaction, which is a manifestation of soil functionality degradation resulting from trampling. An experimental design with four treatments was implemented (with and without dolomitic limestone application; continuous grazing with low stocking rates, CG-LSR, and deferred grazing with high stocking rates, DG-HSR). The study involved cone index (CI, in kPa) measurements (48 sampling areas, 12 in each treatment) on eight dates during two annual pasture/grazing cycles (2023/2024 and 2024/2025). Other soil parameters, the presence of trees and grazing preferences were also monitored and correlated with CI. The main results showed: (i) significantly higher soil compaction under CG-LSR than under DG-HSR; (ii) a negative and significant effect of soil moisture content (SMC) on CI (r = −0.381; p < 0.05); (iii) a significant CI increase in preferential grazing areas, but only in the topsoil layer (0–10 cm) and with a very weak correlation coefficient (r = 0.172; p < 0.05); and (iv) no significant differences in CI under and outside tree canopy areas (UTC and OTC, respectively) for the depth range of 0–30 cm. These results are good indicators of the desired and sustainable intensification of extensive livestock grazing systems.

Technological development for monitoring pasture quality and supporting grazing management decisions – a review

2026-04-20T15:50:32Z

Title: Technological development for monitoring pasture quality and supporting grazing management decisions – a review Authors: Pinto, Henrique; Santos, Ricardo; Moral, Francisco; Amaral, Alexandre; Escribano, Carlos; Almeida, António; Serrano, João Abstract: Effective grazing management depends on accurate and timely information on pasture biomass and nutritive value. This review examines recent advances in sensing technologies for estimating forage quality parameters, particularly crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in pasture-based systems. Emphasis is placed on two complementary indicators: Dry Matter (DM) and Crude Protein (CP). Proximal tools such as rising plate meters (RPM) have evolved to incorporate optical components capable of estimating vegetation indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which may correlate with forage quality. Meanwhile, satellite-based remote sensing (Sentinel-2) offers broader spatial coverage and access to multiple spectral bands. These allow for the computation of several indices that can be explored using statistical and machine learning (ML) models to predict CP and NDF content. The integration of sensor-derived data with artificial intelligence (AI) represents a promising avenue for developing predictive models and decision-support systems (DSS), improving rotational grazing, supplementation planning, and reducing the occurrence of metabolic and nutritional disorders. This review highlights key findings in the literature and identifies knowledge gaps, particularly in the validation of new technologies across different pasture types and seasons. Future research should focus on combining multi-source data for real-time, on farm applications.

An interoperable and standardized protocol for reporting systematic conservation planning projects

2026-04-20T15:50:04Z

Title: An interoperable and standardized protocol for reporting systematic conservation planning projects Authors: Jung, Martin; Adams, Vanessa; Alagador, Diogo; Alvarez-Romero, Jorge G.; Araujo, M.B.; Arponnen, Ann; Beger, Maria; Beher, Jutta; Carvalho, Silvia B.; Giakoumi, Sylvaine; Hanson, Jeffrey O.; Hermoso, Virgilio; Jantke, Kerstin; Kujala, Heini; McGowan, Jennifer; Metaxas, Anna; 0'Connor, Louise; Salgado-Rojas, José; Schuster, Richard; Smith, Robert J.; Visconti, Piero Abstract: Systematic conservation planning (SCP) is an operational and scientific framework that assists in deciding where, how, and when to implement conservation intervention. Studies using SCP approaches have proliferated due to their immediate relevance for applied conservation. For example, they can help identify cost-effective opportunities for expanding areas under conservation management to achieve high-level policy goals such as those of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Yet SCP can be conducted in various ways, and results can vary depending on problem formulation, parameterizations, contexts, and prioritization approaches. There is a need to facilitate comparison of SCP studies to understand key criteria and assumptions made in the planning process. Here, we propose a standardized reporting protocol for SCP that is readily applicable across study aims, realms, and spatial scales. The new Overview and Design Protocol for Systematic Conservation Planning (ODPSCP) describes the key steps from the design to the computational stages of SCP. It enables researchers, scientific editors, and decision- and policymakers to assess the scope and comprehensiveness of SCP exercises. To facilitate uptake and ease of reporting, the protocol is openly available through an interactive web interface and which can be further enhanced following methodological advancements in conservation planning. We encourage the conservation community to adopt the reporting protocol to promote transparency and reproducibility, standardized reporting as well as facilitate peer review and independent evaluation.