Assessment of management effect on grasslands characteristics in an area of the Apennines (North Italy)
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Kuupäev
2020
Kättesaadavus
Ajakirja pealkiri
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Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
In many regions of Europe, semi-natural grasslands not properly utilized face different
threats, concerning changes in botanical composition and structural evolution, which can lead to
a reduction of the qualitative value of forage biomass or, in the mid-long term, forest recovery.
The present paper assesses various semi-natural grasslands within a mountain public property
located in Tuscany (North Apennines, Italy) subjected to different types of utilization. Some of
them are managed through cattle grazing during summer, whereas some others are only
periodically mowed and utilization is performed only by wildlife occurring in the area. The paper
analyses the importance of resource management and its impact on botanical composition and on
qualitative value of forage production. Data collection of studied areas was conducted by means
of vegetation assessment performed with a fast procedure that simplifies the botanical
composition sampling. Results show the relevance of some environmental factors on grasslands
evolution and on their composition (such as altitude and slope) and the importance of
management on grassland quality and on level of shrub encroachment.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
botanical composition, grazing, mowing, pastoral value, habitat improvement, articles