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Analysis of institutional authors

Martin-Collado, DanielAuthorCasasus, IsabelAuthorJoy, MargalidaAuthorLobon, SandraAuthor

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May 29, 2025
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What Strategies Would Sheep Farmers Implement to Adapt to Climate Change? A Cross-National Comparison of Sheep Farming Systems in the Mediterranean

Publicated to:Ssrn. - 2025-05-14 (), DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5253398

Authors: Martín-Collado, D., Tenza-Peral, A., Casasús, I., Joy, M., Stark, F., Lurette, A., Mohamed-Brahmi, A., Ameur, M., Aboulnaga, A., Elshafie, M., & Lobón, S.

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Abstract

Adapting livestock systems to climate change (CC) is essential for global food security and rural livelihoods. The Mediterranean region, a climate risk hotspot, hosts diverse livestock systems, including extensive meat sheep farming, where adaptation is critical to prevent economic and social decline. However, adaptation measures are often identified through top-down approaches that overlook local conditions and farmers' perspectives. This study conducted 216 face-to-face surveys with farmers across 11 meat sheep systems in Egypt, France, Spain, and Tunisia to examine their beliefs about CC, perceived farm impacts, and preferred adaptation strategies. Cluster analysis identified five main adaptation strategies: i) infrastructure improvement, ii) feed intensification, iii) feed optimization, iv) general farm adaptation, and v) flock management with feed intensification. These strategies were present across all countries and systems. Farmers widely recognize CC and its effects but do not always attribute it to human activity. Their primary concern is feed security, addressed through grazing, indoor feeding, or both, with increased feed purchases playing a central role. Conversely, breed substitution and reproductive management changes are rarely considered. The emphasis on farm infrastructure improvement and feed intensification suggests farmers prioritize buffering CC impacts by reducing reliance on local environmental conditions. This aligns with a ‘sustainable intensification’ approach, which presents socio-economic and environmental challenges, requiring greater technical support for farmers to implement effective adaptations.

Keywords

Mitigación del cambio climáticoOvinosPequeños rumiantesProducción animal

Quality index

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-08-05:

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (MARTIN COLLADO, DANIEL) and Last Author (Lobón Ascaso, Sandra).