Operational Group: Adaptive management of animal production in pasture systems

The objective of the Operational Group is to implement collaborative adaptive management (CAM) systems to optimize the management of extensive livestock farming in dehesa areas with high climatic variability.

Adaptive management systems integrate advanced technological tools (early estimation of primary productivity through remote sensing) and participatory management tools (collaboration in user networks) into a decision-making framework that enables continuous optimization of management actions (learning by doing).

The contribution to the AEI's goal of boosting productivity and sustainable resource management will focus on substantially improving the current management of oak forests used for livestock, cork production, and natural environment conservation.

The proposed tools and techniques will reduce the impact of (over)grazing on grass production and forest recruitment, a major problem for oak forest pastures, and adapt local management systems to the effect that changes in precipitation and temperature patterns (associated with climate change) have on grass and acorn production.