{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]],"date-time":"2026-04-09T02:48:02Z","timestamp":1775702882771,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":101,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"16","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,9]],"date-time":"2023-08-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1691539200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"FCT\/MCTES","award":["UIDB\/50006\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/50006\/2020"]}]},{"name":"FCT\/MCTES","award":["UIDP\/50006\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/50006\/2020"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Plants"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Adapting our food production chain and increasing the flora and fauna\u2019s livelihood in climate change-affected areas using Opuntia is not only theoretical but already exists in practice in many places. This cactus grows in unsuitable soil for most species as it is adapted to arid and semi-arid soils and hot weather. In these regions, Opuntia protects from erosion and contributes to soil health. The usage of this plant as fodder is also discussed, with immense potential in substituting a part of livestock\u2019s diet and even increasing the quality of the animal\u2019s by-products and decreasing water consumption. This would result in a feed that is low-cost and has a lower environmental impact. It is to be noted that Opuntia has a high potential as an invasive species, with caution always being recommended when dealing with this specie. The high content of specific compounds, such as proline, indicaxanthin, and betanin, found in Opuntia ficus-indica, influence the plant\u2019s adaptation to unfavourable conditions. This collective evidence depicts Opuntia as a crop that can battle climate change and ensure food security.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/plants12162907","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,9]],"date-time":"2023-08-09T10:21:50Z","timestamp":1691576510000},"page":"2907","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":21,"title":["Adapting to Climate Change with Opuntia"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Ana O. S.","family":"Jorge","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV@REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculdade de Farm\u00e1cia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Anabela S. G.","family":"Costa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV@REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculdade de Farm\u00e1cia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6767-6596","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"M. Beatriz P. P.","family":"Oliveira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"LAQV@REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculdade de Farm\u00e1cia, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sipango, N., Ravhuhali, K.E., Sebola, N.A., Hawu, O., Mabelebele, M., Mokoboki, H.K., and Moyo, B. (2022). Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.) as an Invasive Species and a Potential Fodder Resource for Ruminant Animals. Sustainability, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/su14073719"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Nobel, P.S. (1983). Environmental Biology of Agaves and Cacti, Cambridge University Press. 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