News

A battle on high

20.03.2015

The beauty of the traditional ‘mosaic’ landscape is a strong factor drawing visitors to mountains in Europe. Due to climate warming and abandonment, this landscape capital is in sharp decline. Usually high altitude pastures become degraded by disuse, and a range of factors induced by climate, including encroaching treeline.  However, another threat is the invasive grass, Brachypodium genuense, which demonstrates outstanding competitive ability.

We may come to mountains to feel restored and at peace, but in these beautiful locations, often European Union Habitats Directive sites, our feet tread upon an unseen battle ground where this invasive grass is driving out endemic flowering plants, lowering soil temperature and pH levels, and sharply reducing biodiversity. In central Italy, the Monti Sibillini National Park, collaborating with University of Camerino, is conducting a project funded by the Regione Marche, in an effort to preserve mountain meadows in five sites. Two of these focus on combatting brachypodium genuense. Since domestic animals are averse to this grass, these sites are initially mown, and local residents are given incentives to help maintain sheep and horses in these locations. The study results, to be published in 2017, will be of keen interest to reversing the decline of mountain grasslands.

Read more  

News by Tamara Griffiths

Photos: Monti Sibillini National Park Photo Archive