Tree influence on soil and pasture: contribution of proximal sensing to pasture productivity and quality estimation in montado ecosystems

ABSTRACTMontado is a silvo-pastoral ecosystem of the Mediterranean region, a mixed system of trees and pasture, subject to animal grazing. Farmers need information on pasture production and quality in order to assess the direct effect of tree presence on the productivity of their pastoral system, and to devise management that balances farm production and profitability with sustainable soil management. The main objectives of this work were (1) to evaluate tree influence on soil and pasture parameters and (2) to evaluate the use of proximal sensing techniques that have potential for monitoring aspects related to spatial and temporal variability of pasture productivity and quality in montado ecosystems. Both objectives can support the decision-making process of the farmer. The study field is located in Mitra farm, in Southern Portugal. During October 2015, 24 geo-referenced composite soil samples (12 under tree canopy and 12 outside tree canopy) were collected from the 0.0–0.3 m soil layer. The soil samples ...