Management and ecological implications of silvopastoral systems in the Alps.

Abstract

AbstractIn the Alps, 15% of the mountain forests are grazed, mainly by cattle browsing young trees, thus reducing the protection function of the forests against natural hazards. In this study, the condition of young trees on subalpine wood-pastures was assessed, the selection of herbaceous species was recorded and the digestibility of the herbage was calculated. Additionally, the long-term influence on the forest structure was studied using dendroecological techniques. The results suggest that grazing cattle may not severely damage young trees if stocking density is low and the ranges are sufficiently large. Grazed forests tend to have a more heterogeneous age structure than ungrazed forests. Cattle are able to select herbage of medium digestibility on subalpine wood-pastures and prefer grass species. These results demonstrate that forest grazing can be compliant with other very important functions of subalpine forests, such as avalanche protection.