Caraterização e análise do cadastro como instrumento para a gestão do território caso de estudo: Freguesia de Alferce

The study of Alferce's rustic land registry revealed significant insights into the land structure and fragmentation of rustic properties in this territory. Despite being based on a convenience sample, the results surprisingly indicate that property fragmentation is not 
as evident as expected. Each interviewed owner who consented to the georeferenced registration of their rustic properties, on average, owns 7.3 plots, a value below the averages found in other municipalities such as Alcoutim and Loulé. Furthermore, the 
average area per owner in Alferce is 7.42 hectares, slightly below the averages observed in other municipalities. These findings challenge the common perception of rural property fragmentation in the region. 
The analysis of rustic property density in the parish of Alferce, using the kernel method, reveals an interesting correlation between the most fragmented areas and population centers. This phenomenon can be explained by the historical dependence of the rural 
population on land as a means of subsistence, before the large migrations to the coast that occurred in the 1980s and 1990s. 
However, the average areas held by each owner are substantial, with an average of 7.42 hectares and a median of 27 hectares. These numbers provide a more realistic representation of the land structure in this territory, emphasizing the importance of 
considering this information when developing land management tools, such as the Plan for Landscape Reordering and Management of the Monchique and Silves Mountain Ranges. 
Simmons and Januszewki's fragmentation indices also support these observations, emphasizing that the lack of knowledge about landowners can distort the perception of territorial reality. Thus, when planning land management policies and strategies, it is 
crucial to consider not only the land structure in terms of area but also how properties are aggregated and managed by different entities.