Adapting Carrascal Farm to Climate Change

Abstract

This thesis aimed to develop a climate change farm development for Carrascal farm, propose a new agricultural activity and suggest a set of management guidelines. The present thesis will provide Carrascal Farm with a set of measures and guiding principles, that will help implement adaptive actions and agricultural activities, more resilient to climate change. Carrascal Farm is a family-run, agricultural property located in the region of Alentejo in Portugal. Most of the agricultural area of the farm is Montado - an agrosilvopastoral system, that can hold a diverse number of agricultural activities and maintain natural system features. This man-made system relies on an important balance between the different system´s layers and correct management, to be resilient to the adversities of a changing climate. The challenges that this system faces, alongside the predicted changes in temperature and precipitation, reveal a necessity to implement counteracting and preventive adaptive actions. The methodology used in the research consisted of identifying the challenges that the agricultural activity of Carrascal farm is suffering from and discovering solutions. The challenges and solutions are drawn from a varied number of different research, observations and technical manuals. This thesis resulted in a climate change farm adaptation plan, a new agricultural enterprise for Carrascal farm and improved management guidelines. With the results, Carrascal Farm can adapt its agricultural areas by implementing strategic adaptive actions, introducing an agricultural activity that will benefit the health of the system and providing financial income to support the adoption of the adaptation measures.