Living Lab Greece - SheepHeatIT

Dairy sheep farming in Greece relies heavily on high-productivity and valuable indigenous breeds, such as Frizarta, Chios, and Lesvos. However, these traditional and semi-intensive production systems are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly the rising frequency and intensity of Mediterranean heatwaves. Severe heat stress directly compromises animal welfare, reduces milk yield and alters milk composition (fat and protein), and impairs reproductive performance, threatening the economic viability of local pastoral communities. Despite the natural resilience of some native breeds, there is currently a lack of systematic, large-scale phenotyping integrated with environmental and genomic data to identify which breeds, genetic groups or individual animals are truly climate-resilient. Furthermore, sheep breeders currently lack practical, cost-effective, and field-applicable tools or standardized environmental indices to monitor heat stress on-farm and make informed, proactive breeding or management decisions. GR-DSLL addresses this critical gap by bringing scientific research in quantitative genetics directly to commercial Greek farms.

Please describe the main activities being carried out within the Living Lab and explain the approach or methodology used to address the identified problem. Include information on stakeholder involvement, testing, co-creation, or innovation processes where relevant.

The Greek Dairy Sheep Living Lab (GR-DSLL) will operate as a participatory, multi-actor platform linking academic researchers (AUA), national research bodies (ELGO-DIMITRA), commercial breeders, and cooperative associations (Frizarta, Lesvos Sheep Breeders Association).

Key activities within the Living Lab will include:

Environmental and Meteorological Monitoring: As the task leader for meteorological data, AUA will coordinate the deployment of local and portable climate stations to continuously record temperature, humidity, wind speed, and calculate the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) directly at the farm level.
Large-scale Phenotyping and Production Recording: We will record repeated daily milk yields, milk composition parameters (under ICAR standards), and physiological heat-stress indicators (rectal/skin temperature, respiration and panting rates, heart rate) across seasons.
Biological Sampling and Multi-omics: AUA and ELGO leads biological sampling (collecting tissue, blood, and hair) for whole genome, SNP genotyping and genomics analyses, transcriptome analysis as well as stress biomarkers like cortisol and Heat Shock Proteins (HSP70/HSP90).
Co-creation and Participatory Workshops: We will hold regular feedback loops, workshops, and demonstration sessions with local breeders. This collaborative environment will ensure that scientific findings are translated into practical, easy-to-use breeding values and on-farm decision support tools.

The GR-DSLL aims to deliver tangible, science-based outputs that directly benefit both the scientific community and dairy sheep producers:

Robust Integrated Database: Creation of a harmonized, open-access database linking dairy phenotypes, physiological heat stress indicators, multi-omics biomarkers, and precise microclimatic THI parameters
Genomic Markers for Resilience: Identification of key candidate loci and adaptive SNPs associated with heat tolerance and milk production stability in Greek dairy sheep through Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS).
Climate-Aware Breeding Tools: Development of environment-adjusted Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and practical selection indices
Heat Resistance Scores (iHRS/hHRS): Provision of individual (iHRS) and herd (hHRS) Heat Resistance Scores to help farmers classify animals, optimize selection for climate-resiliency, and mitigate production losses
Socio-Economic Stability: By reducing the negative impacts of heatwaves on milk yields and animal health, the Living Lab will help secure more stable revenues for rural farmers and improve the welfare of Greek sheep flocks.

The GR-DSLL contributes to agricultural sustainability through a balanced approach encompassing environmental, economic, social, and technological dimensions:

Environmental and Genetic Conservation: By identifying and genetically optimizing the climate resilience of indigenous Greek sheep (Frizarta, Lesvos, Chios), the Lab supports the preservation of valuable local genetic resources and biodiversity, ensuring these breeds thrive in warmer climates without relying on intensive, high-input modifications
Economic Viability: By providing precision breeding and management tools (such as climate-aware EBVs and iHRS/hHRS indices), we reduce the financial risks and production losses associated with climate variability, enhancing the economic resilience and market competitiveness of extensive and semi-intensive Mediterranean sheep farming
Social and Community Empowerment: Our participatory approach bridges the gap between high-level genomic science and daily flock management. Training workshops and co-creation sessions build capacity among local breeders, ensuring the long-term adoption of innovative practices
Technological Innovation: We integrate state-of-the-art precision livestock farming (PLF) tools, including microclimatic sensors (THI) and multi-omics data (GWAS, transcriptomics, biomarkers), into accessible, data-driven decision-making frameworks for sheep breeding.