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Decision Support System for the Assessment and Enhancement of Agrobiodiversity Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Morgado Marcelino

    (C-MAST—Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Dinis Gaspar

    (C-MAST—Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Arminda Paço

    (NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences, Department of Management and Economics, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Tânia M. Lima

    (C-MAST—Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Ana Monteiro

    (LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture Research Center, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
    TERRA—Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • José Carlos Franco

    (TERRA—Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
    CEF—Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Erika S. Santos

    (LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture Research Center, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
    TERRA—Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Rebeca Campos

    (LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture Research Center, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Carlos M. Lopes

    (LEAF—Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture Research Center, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal
    TERRA—Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

The industrialisation of agriculture and changes in production systems have contributed to a biodiversity decline worldwide. Developing accurate and adequate assessment methods can encourage farmers to support more sustainable agricultural management. This study presents a decision support system to promote agrobiodiversity that incorporates not only a quantitative assessment of relevant indicators of agrobiodiversity performance but also provides enhancement practice recommendations and associated benefits, presenting an action plan in order of priority. Additionally, the decision support system allows a visual comparison between biodiversity composite indicators and indicators representing pest control and crop yield. Since grape cultivation is considered one of the most intensive agricultural systems, thus significantly impacting biodiversity, the elaborated decision support system was tested on a viticultural agroecosystem in the demarcated Douro region in Portugal. The results demonstrated the decision support system functioning according to the selected methodology and allowed the identification of future lines for investigation. During the analysed period, the following were verified: an increase of 2% in the biodiversity indicator, 130% in harvest yield, and 2077% in the enemy-to-pest ratio. It is expected that the elaborated DSS will offer a significant contribution by bridging communication gaps on alternative management options to improve biodiversity performance in agricultural systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Morgado Marcelino & Pedro Dinis Gaspar & Arminda Paço & Tânia M. Lima & Ana Monteiro & José Carlos Franco & Erika S. Santos & Rebeca Campos & Carlos M. Lopes, 2024. "Decision Support System for the Assessment and Enhancement of Agrobiodiversity Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:15:p:6519-:d:1446236
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ingrid Quintero & Yesica Xiomara Daza-Cruz & Tomás León-Sicard, 2022. "Main Agro-Ecological Structure: An Index for Evaluating Agro-Biodiversity in Agro-Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-25, October.
    2. Sara Marcelino & Pedro Dinis Gaspar & Arminda Paço, 2023. "Sustainable Waste Management in the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
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