Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas
Seminatural grasslands are among the most threatened habitats in Europe and worldwide, mainly due to changes in/abandonment of their traditional extensive use by grazing animals. This study aimed to develop an innovative model that integrates plant biodiversity, animal husbandry, and geo-informatics...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/3/386 |
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| author | Daniela Gigante Simone Angelucci Federica Bonini Federico Caruso Valter Di Cecco Domizia Donnini Luciano Morbidini Mariano Pauselli Bernardo Valenti Andrea Tassi Marco Vizzari Luciano Di Martino |
| author_facet | Daniela Gigante Simone Angelucci Federica Bonini Federico Caruso Valter Di Cecco Domizia Donnini Luciano Morbidini Mariano Pauselli Bernardo Valenti Andrea Tassi Marco Vizzari Luciano Di Martino |
| author_sort | Daniela Gigante |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Seminatural grasslands are among the most threatened habitats in Europe and worldwide, mainly due to changes in/abandonment of their traditional extensive use by grazing animals. This study aimed to develop an innovative model that integrates plant biodiversity, animal husbandry, and geo-informatics to manage and preserve seminatural grasslands in protected areas. With this objective, an integrated study was conducted on the seminatural grasslands in the hilly, montane, and (to a minimum extent) subalpine belts of the Maiella National Park, one of Europe’s most biodiversity-rich protected sites. Plant biodiversity was investigated through 141 phytosociological relevés in homogeneous areas; the pastoral value was calculated, and grasslands’ productivity was measured together with the main nutritional parameters. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify the main grassland vegetation types, their indicator species and ecological–environmental characteristics, and their pastoral and nutritional values’ variability and differences. A total of 17 grassland types, most of which correspond to habitat types listed in Annex I to the <i>92/43/EEC Directive</i>, were identified and characterised in terms of their biodiversity and potential animal load. To allow for near-real-time analysis of grasslands, an NDVI-based web interface running on Google Earth Engine was implemented. This integrated approach can provide decision-making support for protected-area managers seeking to develop and implement sustainable grassland management practices that ensure the long-term maintenance of their biodiversity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:06:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-78a4343410364a1ba8912b04fcaadc36 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:06:02Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-78a4343410364a1ba8912b04fcaadc362024-03-27T13:50:51ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-03-0113338610.3390/land13030386Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected AreasDaniela Gigante0Simone Angelucci1Federica Bonini2Federico Caruso3Valter Di Cecco4Domizia Donnini5Luciano Morbidini6Mariano Pauselli7Bernardo Valenti8Andrea Tassi9Marco Vizzari10Luciano Di Martino11Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyMaiella National Park, Via Badia 28, 67039 Sulmona, AQ, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyMaiella National Park, Via Badia 28, 67039 Sulmona, AQ, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (DSA3), University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, PG, ItalyMaiella National Park, Via Badia 28, 67039 Sulmona, AQ, ItalySeminatural grasslands are among the most threatened habitats in Europe and worldwide, mainly due to changes in/abandonment of their traditional extensive use by grazing animals. This study aimed to develop an innovative model that integrates plant biodiversity, animal husbandry, and geo-informatics to manage and preserve seminatural grasslands in protected areas. With this objective, an integrated study was conducted on the seminatural grasslands in the hilly, montane, and (to a minimum extent) subalpine belts of the Maiella National Park, one of Europe’s most biodiversity-rich protected sites. Plant biodiversity was investigated through 141 phytosociological relevés in homogeneous areas; the pastoral value was calculated, and grasslands’ productivity was measured together with the main nutritional parameters. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify the main grassland vegetation types, their indicator species and ecological–environmental characteristics, and their pastoral and nutritional values’ variability and differences. A total of 17 grassland types, most of which correspond to habitat types listed in Annex I to the <i>92/43/EEC Directive</i>, were identified and characterised in terms of their biodiversity and potential animal load. To allow for near-real-time analysis of grasslands, an NDVI-based web interface running on Google Earth Engine was implemented. This integrated approach can provide decision-making support for protected-area managers seeking to develop and implement sustainable grassland management practices that ensure the long-term maintenance of their biodiversity.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/3/386biodiversityGoogle Earth EnginegrazingMaiella National ParkmanagementNDVI |
| spellingShingle | Daniela Gigante Simone Angelucci Federica Bonini Federico Caruso Valter Di Cecco Domizia Donnini Luciano Morbidini Mariano Pauselli Bernardo Valenti Andrea Tassi Marco Vizzari Luciano Di Martino Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas Land biodiversity Google Earth Engine grazing Maiella National Park management NDVI |
| title | Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas |
| title_full | Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas |
| title_fullStr | Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas |
| title_short | Seminatural Grasslands: An Emblematic Challenge for Nature Conservation in Protected Areas |
| title_sort | seminatural grasslands an emblematic challenge for nature conservation in protected areas |
| topic | biodiversity Google Earth Engine grazing Maiella National Park management NDVI |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/3/386 |
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