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Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Martin-Collado, DAuthorTenza-Peral, AAuthorCasasus, ICorresponding AuthorJoy, MCorresponding AuthorLobon, SAuthor

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February 6, 2026
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What strategies would sheep farmers implement to respond to climate change? A cross-national comparison of sheep farming systems in the Mediterranean

Publicated to: Small Ruminant Research. 252 107576- - 2025-07-31 252(), DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107576

Authors:

Martin-Collado, D; Tenza-Peral, A; Casasus, I; Joy, M; Stark, F; Lurette, A; Mohamed-Brahmi, A; Ameur, M; Aboulnaga, A; Elshafie, M; Lobon, S
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Affiliations

Agr Res Ctr, Anim Prod Res Inst, Cairo, Egypt - Author
Ctr Invest & Tecnol Agroalimentaria Aragon CITA, Dept Ciencia Anim, Avda Montanana 930, Zaragoza 50059, Spain - Author
Univ Jendouba, Ecole Super Agr Kef, LR Appui Durabil Syst Prod Agr Reg Nord Ouest, Le Kef 7119, Tunisia - Author
Univ Montpellier, Inst Agro, SELMET, INRAE,CIRAD, 2 Pl Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France - Author
Univ Zaragoza, Ctr Invest & Tecnol Alimentaria Aragon CITA, Inst Agroalimentario Aragon IA2, Zaragoza, Spain - Author
Univ Zaragoza, Dept Ciencias Agr & Medio Nat, Ave Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza 50013, Spain - Author
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Abstract

How livestock systems respond to climate change (CC) will shape 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, response 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 strategies to cope CC. Cluster analysis identified five strategies: i) infrastructure improvement, ii) feed intensification, iii) feed optimization, iv) diversified adjustments, and v) flock management with feed intensification. These strategies were present across all countries and systems. Farmers widely recognize CC and its effects but most attribute its causes a combination of natural and human factors or to natural processes, rather than exclusively 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 reducing exposure to CC impacts by decoupling their farms from 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 responses to CC.
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Keywords

AdaptaciónAdaptationClimate actionExposiciónExposureFeeding managementGanado de carneImpactsIntensificaciónIntensificationLandLivestockManejo de alimentos para animalesMeat sheepMountainOvinosPerceptionsSpecificitiesSustainabilityVariability

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Animal Science and Zoology. Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q3 for the agency WoS (JCR) in the category Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science.

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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 2026-04-05:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 21 (PlumX).

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:

    Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 13 - Climate Action, with a probability of 68% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Egypt; France; Tunisia.

    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).

    the authors responsible for correspondence tasks have been Casasús Pueyo, Isabel and Joy Torrens, Margalida.

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    Project objectives

    El estudio persigue los siguientes objetivos: analizar las creencias de los ganaderos sobre el cambio climático y sus causas; evaluar los impactos percibidos del cambio climático en las explotaciones ovinas de carne en la región mediterránea; identificar y caracterizar las estrategias preferidas por los agricultores para hacer frente al cambio climático mediante encuestas presenciales en Egipto, Francia, España y Túnez; comparar las estrategias de adaptación entre diferentes sistemas de producción y países; y examinar la prioridad otorgada a la seguridad alimentaria y las medidas de intensificación sostenible en la gestión de las explotaciones.
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    Most relevant results

    El estudio analiza las estrategias adoptadas por ganaderos ovinos en la región mediterránea para enfrentar el cambio climático. Se identificaron cinco estrategias principales: mejora de infraestructuras, intensificación del alimento, optimización del alimento, ajustes diversificados y manejo del rebaño con intensificación del alimento. Estas estrategias se observaron en los 11 sistemas de producción en Egipto, Francia, España y Túnez. Los ganaderos reconocen ampliamente el cambio climático y sus efectos, atribuyendo sus causas a factores naturales y humanos combinados o exclusivamente naturales. La seguridad alimentaria es la preocupación principal, abordada mediante pastoreo, alimentación interior o ambas, con un aumento en la compra de alimento. Cambios en la sustitución de razas y gestión reproductiva son poco considerados.
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    Awards linked to the item

    The research leading to these results was funded by the PRIMA 2018 call-AdaptHerd project (PRIMA 1811-2). The Spanish study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PCI2019-103533) and the Government of Aragon (Grant Research Group Funds A25_23R and A26_23R).
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