Goat production in the county of Terras de Bouro: forest fire prevention, organic goat production and parasitism

Abstract

In Terras de Bouro, in the northwest of Portugal, goat production is a relevant activity for social, economic and environmental development. Often animals and shepherds are seen along the landscapes of Gerês mountains and grazing plays an essential role in the landscape mosaic. Many of the grazing animals are goats, many of which are kept in organic production systems, as encouraged by local organizations. Goat production produces meat but also has an essential role in natural control of vegetation. The dry matter content and the flammability of the natural vegetation increases in the summer, which consequently enhances the risk of fire. Goats grazing influence the vegetal biodiversity, reduce the scrubland and contribute to reducing the fire risk. However, human management is important to reduce the negative impact to the ecosystem. The aim of this study is to estimate the environmental contamination with parasitic forms in goat faeces, in Terras de Bouro region, because the animals walk long distances during grazing and contaminate the environment with these parasitic forms. The parasitic forms remain infective in the environment and may also infect other domestic animals, wild animals and even humans. A coprological survey in goats (n=59) (4 flocks: 2 organic; 2 conventional units) was performed using the FLOTAC method. It is a very sensitive method and allows the detection of parasitic forms in faeces. Parasitic forms were present in all samples and a high diversity of parasitism was observed: Eimeria spp. (59/59), Strongylida (51/59), Dicrocoelium dentriticum (45/59), Nematodirus spp. (44/59), Skrjabinema spp. (26/59), Moniezia spp. (15/59) and Trichuris spp. (14/59). Fifty seven samples had concomitant infections. When it is necessary to control the animal parasitism, pharmaceutical compounds (most often) are used, which can also contaminate the environment. This selective pressure has led to the rise of parasitic resistance to antiparasitic compounds. The present preliminary results are part of an on-going project on the study and promotion on use of goats in forest areas, as a factor in the sustainability of human activities in rural areas, and having an important role avoiding fires in forest areas.