Pasture Landscapes and Nature Conservation [Paperback]

One of the main problems and aims of nature conservation in Europe is to protect semi-open landscapes. The development during the past decades is characterized by an ongoing intensivation of land use on the one hand, and an increasing number of former meadows and pastures lying fallow caused by changing economic conditions on the other hand. In several countries the estabishment of larger pasture landscapes with a mixed character of open grassland combined with shrubs and forests has been recognized as one solution to this problem. The book gives an overview of the European projects concerning to this topic - nature conservation policy and strategies, scientific results and practical experiences creating large scale grazing systems.One of the main problems and aims of nature conservation in Europe is to protect semi-open landscapes. The development during the past decades is characterized by an ongoing intensivation of land use on the one hand, and an increasing number of former meadows and pastures lying fallow caused by changing economic conditions on the other hand. In several countries the estabishment of larger pasture landscapes with a mixed character of open grassland combined with shrubs and forests has been recognized as one solution to this problem. The book gives an overview of the European projects concerning to this topic - nature conservation policy and strategies, scientific results and practical experiences creating large scale grazing systems.I. Introduction.- Pasture Landscapes and Nature Conservation - New strategies for preservation of open landscapes in Europe.- Nature conservation in pastoral landscapes: Challenges, chances and constraints.- II. Grazing as a phenomenon in Europe.- Nature conservation and pastoralism in Wallony.- Stipa austroitalica garigues and mountain pastureland in the Pollino National Park (Calabria, Southern Italy).- Landscapes of northern Spain and pastoral systems.- Nature conservation aspects of pastoral farming in l#h