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Sustainably secure the biodiversity of the alpine pastures!

Depending on the altitude, the annual alpine lift takes place again in May and June. So that the alpine pastures can continue to exist in all their diversity, the nature conservation association  a sustainable and future-oriented funding practice.

The centuries-old form of land use takes up about a fifth of the area of ​​Austria. Traditionally managed, alpine farming ensures the survival of many endangered animal and plant species. Arnica and gentian, Apollo butterflies and alpine salamanders find a home in the middle of the mountain forests thanks to the resulting mosaic of alpine meadows with streams, embankments and edge structures. Species-rich alpine pastures have a higher water storage capacity, prevent erosion and invite us humans to relax. “In order for alpine pastures with their numerous advantages to be maintained in good condition, they must continue to be cultivated. But that has to be done with a balanced intensity of use, ”said Roman Türk, President of the Nature Conservation Union.

What troubles the alpine pastures

Climate crisis, species shrinkage and loss of scenic diversity - the sustainable use of alpine pastures is becoming increasingly important. However, the still common free grazing and the intensified use with fertilization endanger the alpine biodiversity. While previously extensively managed (species-rich) pastures in unfavorable locations are being abandoned and scrubby, more and more animals are being brought up on more easily manageable alpine pastures. The consequences of this are over-fertilization and weed growth. Both mean a loss of biodiversity. Instead of a variety of flowers, only a few plant species dominate. Step damage caused by larger and heavier cattle breeds also increases the risk of erosion. Conclusion: Particularly sensitive areas of the high altitude, which are home to rare and protected plant species, must therefore be protected from overuse.

Pasture management and bonuses - sustainable for nature and people

With the "Almwirtschafts-Position" (alpine farming position), the nature conservation association affirms that the good ecological condition of the alpine meadow must be a funding criterion in order to preserve biodiversity and the appearance of the landscape. This calls for the amount of the existing funding from the public sector to be geared more closely to biodiversity and sustainability criteria. Pasture maintenance with the help of sheep and goats in order to limit deforestation and encroachment, as well as the preservation of the particularly species-rich mountain mowers, must be supported in a more targeted manner. For balanced grazing, both the guided pasture management and the protection of sensitive areas must be declared best practice. For this purpose it is essential to keep them padded or to be served by trained staff. Measures that will also be necessary in the future due to the returning predators.

Change now to a sustainable funding practice!

Austria needs sustainable alpine pasture management in order to secure the diverse alpine flora and healthy soils with high water storage capacities for the future. The key to this is appropriate and ecologically oriented funding practice - above all with the establishment of a biodiversity premium and the establishment of targeted grazing. Because only healthy alpine pastures are sustainable for people and nature.

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