Shepherds for Biodiversity in Mountain Marginal Areas

Shepherds and breeders will be the protagonists of the project, true guardians of biodiversity

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Goals

The main goal will be to improve the conservation status of three grasslands habitats

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Project actions

The project will develop into Preparatory Actions, Concrete Conservation Actions, Monitoring Actions, Dissemination Actions, General Management Actions

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In short

Why

Grasslands and pastures are among the richest environments in biodiversity, and their conservation is threatened by the abandonment of traditional livestock and agricultural activities. Consequently, the expansion of shrub and tree vegetation is gradually changing their ecological functionality, making them no longer suitable to host the richness in biodiversity that characterizes them.

Three of these environments, classified by the EU as Habitats of Concern, are being addressed by the LIFE ShepForBio project.

Where

The areas covered by the project fall both within the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park, an area straddling the Apennine ridge between Tuscany and Romagna, and in the Pratomagno area, a mountainous ridge between Valdarno and Casentino.

How

LIFE ShepForBio provides direct interventions to conserve the Target Habitats by restoring them and countering the spread of shrub and tree vegetation. The project aims to improve pastoral management by providing infrastructure to serve shepherds and breeders, support existing farms and promote new activities by establishing a school for shepherds and breeders.

What

The project will carry out Concrete Actions for Grassland Conservation by promoting grazing as a tool for conservation and management of these habitats, with the aim of protecting their biodiversity. All planned activities will be carried out in collaboration with farms in the area.

The project involves six Natura 2000 Sites, five of which are wholly or partially included within the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park, as well as the “Mountain Pastures and Bushes of Pratomagno” located in the mountain range of the same name.