Technologies

Monitoring and Management of Agroforestry using SmartAG [Portugal]

Agroforestry in Montado and Dehesa

technologies_7126 - Portugal

Completeness: 88%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Lourenço Patrícia

AgroInsider

Portugal

SLM specialist:

Marques da Silva José Rafael

AgroInsider

Portugal

SLM specialist:

Paixão Luís

AgroInsider

Portugal

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Land Use Based Mitigation for Resilient Climate Pathways (LANDMARC)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The Montado/ Dehesa Agroforestry system contributes to carbon sequestration in Spain and Portugal. The SmartAG app helps in monitoring and management of these systems, providing data available to farmers, producers, and stakeholders.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The SmartAG model is mainly applied in the Montado (Portugal) and Dehesa (Spain) agroforestry systems which serve as a biodiversity oasis in the
Mediterranean region. They are currently being heavily impacted by climate change.
It contributes to achieving carbon sequestration potential. The SmartAG model is also applied in agriculture systems in Portugal, Spain, Greece, The Netherlands, Indonesia and Ukraine. Nevertheless, it can be applied in any part of the world. The SmartAG app provides accurate Agricultural Climate Services on a large-scale, available to farmers, producers, and stakeholders. The model analyzes agronomic anomalies to reduce CO2 emissions and promote CO2 sequestration in the soil, via remote sensing. Additionally, it seeks to remotely analyze farms by evaluating the spatiotemporal dynamics occurring in agroforestry activities for the same purposes.
Through data collection on land use, mapping, remote sensing and in situ data collection, an assessment of the initial state of the farm is carried out, along a carbon balance, to establish a reference scenario (baseline year). Future projections are made, and recommendations formulated.
Users appreciate this methodology because it helps them conserve or increase current carbon stocks, potentially creating a new source of income through the sale
of carbon credits. SmartAG is a highly user-friendly app which records georeferenced evidence of existing conditions and activities. It facilitates a transparent and participatory process in agroforestry ecosystem management.
SmartAG automatically processes data from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data, and LST data for thermo-climatic zoning. These data: i) allow monitoring, reporting and verification of farms; ii) provide machine learning capabilities in agroforestry and environmental data.
Based on Sentinel data, spectral vegetation indices are calculated to identify: i) crop anomalies related to soil-water-plant; ii) management zones to define different land uses, the selection of sampling locations and sensor installation sites, water sampling locations, and identification of species for biodiversity quantification.
The Montado/Dehesa is a slow-developing and very complex agroforestry system meaning that differences will be observable only at the end of a year or longer. In addition, it is a highly stratified system, consisting of a complex arboreal structure with trees of different ages, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation. Given the limitations of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites it is essential to record georeferenced evidence of these. Using SmartAG app developed by AgroInsider allows the collection of georeferenced evidence (e.g., photos, audios, and videos) of
the vegetation structures, as well as documenting evidence of processes occurring such as ecosystem services and biodiversity. Georeferenced evidence is automatically uploaded into the system.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Comments, short description:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxKjnAAkSI0

Date:

16/06/2023

Location:

Évora, Portugal

Name of videographer:

Filipa Santos

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Portugal

Region/ State/ Province:

Alentejo

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

100000.0

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Montado and Dehesa constitute a Very High Nature Value agroforestry system which is under protection.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2023

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • during experiments/ research
Comments (type of project, etc.):

In 2023 AgroInsider started the implementation of the LMT and SmartAG monitoring in Agroforestry system case studies in Montado, in Portugal, and Dehesa, in Spain.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • mitigate climate change and its impacts

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Agro-silvopastoralism

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
  • Transhumant pastoralism
Intensive grazing/ fodder production:
  • Improved pastures
Animal type:
  • cattle - non-dairy beef
  • poultry
  • sheep
Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

No

Products and services:
  • meat
  • milk
  • whool
Species:

sheep

Count:

40

Species:

cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)

Count:

40

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

  • (Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands
(Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands: Specify management type:
  • Dead wood/ prunings removal
  • Mediterranean Agroforestry System (Montado/Dehesa)
  • cork holm, cork oak
Are the trees specified above deciduous or evergreen?
  • evergreen
Products and services:
  • Fruits and nuts
  • Nature conservation/ protection
  • cork

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • agroforestry
  • pastoralism and grazing land management
  • improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
management measures

management measures

  • M1: Change of land use type
  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
  • Ca: acidification
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The LMT will be implemented on a farm with montado/dehesa (minimum area of 100 ha). Satellite data is used to characterize land use. After identifying the montado/dehesa area, field sampling is conducted. These data, along with satellite imagery, will be used to calculate the total CO2eq stock (above and below ground biomass) and estimate CO2eq sequestration. Farmers are encouraged to enhance LMT effectiveness, notably by engaging in ecosystem-value activities such as avoiding soil disturbance to preserve soil organic matter, increasing tree density, and maintaining water mirrors. Farmers will record georeferenced evidence of improvement activities and existing biodiversity in the montado and in other areas of the farm using the SmartAG developed by AgroInsider. This app will allow to monitor, report and verify carbon stocks through weekly alert reports, enabling the identification of carbon anomalies/losses over time and space.

Author:

Patrícia Lourenço

Date:

23/04/2024

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

100 ha

other/ national currency (specify):

Euro (€)

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

3590 €

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Select a farm with montado/dehesa (minimum area of 100 ha) In the baseline year
2. Characterization of the land use using satellite data in the baseline year In the baseline year
3. Field sampling in the montado/dehesa area In the baseline year
4. Field data along with satellite imagery will be used to calculate the total CO2eq stock (above and below ground biomass) and estimate CO2eq sequestration In the baseline year
5. Farmers are encouraged to enhance LMT effectiveness, notably by engaging in ecosystem-value activities such as avoiding soil disturbance to preserve soil organic matter, increasing tree density, and maintaining water mirrors In the baseline year
6. Farmers will record georeferenced evidence of improvement activities and existing biodiversity in the montado and in other areas of the farm using the SmartAG developed by AgroInsider Whenever farmers go to the field
7. After calculating the CO2eq stock and CO2eq sequestration estimates for the baseline year, SmartAG will allow to monitor, report and verify (MRV) carbon stocks through weekly alert reports. The MRV will enable the identification of carbon anomalies/losses over time and space Weekly

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Data preprocessing before heading to the field Hour 4.0 20.0 80.0 0.0
Labour Field data collection Hour 24.0 20.0 480.0 0.0
Labour Post-processing of field and satellite data Hour 4.0 20.0 80.0 0.0
Labour Improvement suggestions Hour 8.0 20.0 160.0 0.0
Labour Emission estimates Hour 40.0 20.0 800.0 0.0
Equipment Car renting Day 1.0 60.0 60.0 0.0
Equipment Fuel Km 350.0 0.4 140.0 0.0
Plant material Soil sampling Samples 3.0 70.0 210.0 0.0
Other 1.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 2010.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 2010.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The costs are covered by AgroInsider

Comments:

This value varies depending on the distance from AgroInsider's headquarters to the farm, the farm's area, and carbon-emitting farm activities (i.e., agricultural activities).

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Calculate the total CO2eq stock (above and below ground biomass) and estimate CO2eq sequestration In the baseline year
2. MRV carbon stocks Weekly
3. Record georeferenced evidence Whenever farmers go to the field

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Human resources, farm area, and the quantity of carbon-emitting farm activities (i.e., agricultural activities).

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Montado/Dehesa is influenced by the Mediterranean climate, characterized by a great variability in precipitation and temperature in each year and between years, presenting a hot summer lasting more than four months, associated with a high irregularity in precipitation, both inter- and intra-annually. In this climate, natural droughts are recurrent.

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

More recent data for the agricultural years 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 report values for cumulative precipitation for the Évora region (Alentejo) of 547 mm, 421 mm, and 612 mm, respectively. However, in the same region, in the 2018/2019 crop year, there was only 315 mm of precipitation, while in the following year, this value already reached 627 mm.
It is common in the Alentejo region to have several days with temperatures above 40 ◦C in summer and with minimum temperatures below 0 ◦C in winter. In the Estremadura region, the average minimum temperature recorded was 3.4 ◦C, and the average maximum temperature was 35.6 ◦C.

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

for agricultural use only (irrigation)

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • high
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The Agroforestry system Montado, in Portugal, and Dehesa, in Spain, is a High Nature Value system characterized by a high complexity because of the interactions between climate, soil, pasture (natural pastures, fertilized natural pastures, and sown biodiverse permanent pastures rich in legumes), trees (e.g., pure or mix stands of cork oak, holm oak, stone pine), and animals (e.g., sheep, pigs, cows, goats). Montado/Dehesa is one of the most prominent and best preserved low-intensity farming systems in Europe. The integration of traditional land-use and biodiversity conservation that is characteristic of this system is an exemplar for the wise management of the countryside.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
  • cooperative
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
  • elderly

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • large-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • individual
Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

forest/ woodland quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Conservation and preservation of the Montado and Dehesa.
Estimated

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Conservation and preservation of the Montado and Dehesa.
Estimated

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Selling carbon credits in the voluntary market
Estimated

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

MRV and Implementation of improvements in Montado/Dehesa.
Estimated

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

MRV, Recording evidence and Implementation of improvements in Montado/Dehesa.
Measured

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

MRV, Recording evidence of reforestation of young growth and Implementation of improvements in Montado/Dehesa.
Estimated

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

MRV, Recording evidence and Implementation of improvements in Montado/Dehesa.
Estimated

Climate and disaster risk reduction

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

MRV, Recording evidence, Calculation of emissions and Implementation of improvements in Montado/Dehesa.
Measured

fire risk

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

MRV and Implementation of improvements in Montado/Dehesa. Estimated

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

None

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase moderately
annual rainfall decrease moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave moderately
drought moderately
forest fire moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • > 50%
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 51-90%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Desertification combat efforts.
Diversifying income sources
Montado/dehesa conservation initiatives
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
New income source
Montado/dehesa conservation
Maintenance and increase of carbon stock.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Price of carbon credit in the voluntary market Selling abroad of Portugal
Delay in the implementation of the voluntary carbon market
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Delay in the implementation of the voluntary carbon market Selling abroad of Portugal
Certified credits before the entry of the new law on the voluntary carbon market by the European Union Quantify and recertify.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

One visit per farm

  • interviews with land users

4

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

1

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

2022

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Pinto-Correia, T., & Mira Potes, J. (2013). Livro verde dos montados.

Available from where? Costs?

https://dspace.uevora.pt/rdpc/bitstream/10174/10116/1/Livro%20Verde%20dos%20Montados_Versao%20online%20%202013.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Lourenço, Patrícia, & Silva, José Rafael Marques (2023). How our portfolio of land-use practices might be adopted at scale in Portugal

Available from where? Costs?

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f7b27859c352b2444f4cbd9/t/64a5440ac47212047978bc68/1688552460748/Portugal.pdf

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