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Highlighting the sustainable management of mountain grasslands

17.05.2021

Grasslands cover 15.9 percent of the area of the 28 countries of the European Union (EU-28) and represent the third most dominant ecosystem in Europe as well as one of the most widespread habitats in mountains. Besides being central to food production, mountain grasslands deliver a number of public goods and ecosystem services, such as food production, carbon storage, recreational and cultural services.

A recently published booklet by published within the framework of OREKA MENDIAN showcases 31 examples of good practices for the sustainable management of mountain grasslands. Gathered from across 18 European countries, the examples aim to inspire farmers, breeders and other local actors to increase the biodiversity of mountain grasslands, tackle climate change impacts and better market their products.

OREKA MENDIAN is a seven-year project (2016-2022) funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme that aims to develop a preservation strategy for mountain grasslands in the Basque Region of France and Spain.

Mountain grasslands have an important yet under-recognized role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. Nonetheless, climate change and socio-economic pressures seriously endanger mountain grasslands. Today, more than 75 percent of the grassland area in the EU-28 is considered to have an unfavourable conservation status.

Permanent grasslands are the only habitat whose conservation status generally deteriorates when they are not managed. The state of mountain grasslands – and thus the services and goods they provide – depends on environmental and socio-economic factors.

Changes in the environment and climatic conditions, unsustainable management practices, and socio-economic changes are strongly affecting grasslands in European mountains. For this reason, to preserve mountain grasslands, the booklet suggests to consider the three dimensions of sustainability: environment, economy and society.

Sustainable management of mountain grasslands: A collection of good practices is available in English and French and will soon be available in Spanish. In September 2021, the LIFE OREKA MENDIAN project will publish a study of the current status of mountain grasslands throughout Europe.

Learn more about past Euromontana activities related to the OREKA MENDIAN project and pastoralism on the project’s website at: www.lifeorekamendian.eu

Photo: ©Michelle Geringer