The “mountain effect” in the abandonment of grasslands: Insights from the French Southern Alps

Hinojosa, Leonith; Napoléone, Claude; Mouléry, Michel; Lambin, Éric F.

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2016.01.032

Cited by 77 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…These results confirm the trends outlined in the Mediterranean region since 1950s [71]. Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that the relative incidence of the reforestation process (with respect to their respective total surfaces), was higher in SR B (5.8%) than in SR C (4.2%), thus reflecting the so-called "mountain effect", which is already described for Southern French Alps [40] and Apennines, since the transhumance period is finished [15]. The "mountain effect" implies that there is less farm abandonment, and agricultural lands loss, in higher compared to medium mountains.…”

Section: Shrinkage Of the Agricultural Landssupporting

confidence: 77%

Where Land Use Changes Occur: Using Soil Features to Understand the Economic Trends in Agricultural Lands

et al. 2017

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This study investigates the major land use change processes over the 1990-2008 period in Abruzzo region (Central Italy) in relation to the characteristics of the soils and with particular regard to their capability for agricultural purposes, in order to highlight their implications on agricultural productivity. The relative changes in the agricultural incomes and land values were also estimated. To this end, we proposed an inventory approach as a flexible and feasible way for monitoring land use changes at multiple scales. As main outcomes, the shrinkage of agricultural lands and their internal changes (intensification vs. extensification processes) were highlighted. The shrinkage of agricultural lands was strictly related to: (a) reforestation process in mountain areas and less productive lands after land abandonment; and (b) urbanization on plains and more productive lands. Although the intensification process was demonstrated to have a positive effect on the overall regional agricultural incomes, especially on high quality soils, this was not adequate to compensate the economic loss due to the other land use changes, especially in marginal areas and low-to-medium quality soils. Finally, the paper discusses the geographical pattern of land use change processes across the region, including their interrelations and combined effects, and ultimately offers recommendations to decision-makers addressing future sustainable development objectives from local to global scale.

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Section: Shrinkage Of the Agricultural Landssupporting

confidence: 77%

Where Land Use Changes Occur: Using Soil Features to Understand the Economic Trends in Agricultural Lands

et al. 2017

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“…They did this by networking the various food operators, also to shed more light on the real meaning of "mountain product". Consequently, the European labelling scheme has been described as a tool of communication, promotion and territorial development, something that creates value and the redistribution of wealth, also in favor of disadvantaged areas [32] affected by different negative phenomena, such as the abandonment of land [33,34].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Cheese Production and an EU Labeling Scheme: The Alpine Cheese Producers’ Opinion

et al. 2017

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Abstract:In 2012, the European Union introduced two optional quality terms (OQT) as new tools for the enhancement of food products. Two years later, the requirements for the use of the OQT "mountain product" were defined to enhance agricultural production in harsh environments, such as mountain areas. This new tool aimed at promoting local development, maintaining the economic activities in mountain areas and redistributing wealth. The present research aims at understanding if farmers perceived this tool as useful and evaluates their level of awareness. To this aim, a sample of 68 traditional cheese producers from the North West Alpine Arch was interviewed. The results show that some cheese producers have a positive attitude towards the concepts set out in the OQT "mountain product" and consider it a useful tool to promote and enhance their products. Some critical elements are also discussed.

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“…Mountain meadows were maintained for centuries by local farmers (Tappeiner and Cernusca 1993). Due to socioeconomic factors, a cessation of grassland management is taking place, especially on grassland with marginal agricultural value (Bohner et al 2012;Hinojosa et al 2016) such as extensively managed meadows in mountain regions. Changes in agriculture either by intensification or abandonment have resulted in a reduction of semi-natural grasslands in Europe (Baur et al 2006a;Graf et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity of bumblebees, heteropteran bugs and grasshoppers maintained by both: abandonment and extensive management of mountain meadows in three regions across the Austrian and Swiss Alps

et al. 2017

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Context Abandonment of extensively managed meadows is an ongoing global challenge in recent decades, particularly in mountain regions, and directly affects plant diversity. However, the extent to which plant diversity further affects associated insect pollinators or herbivores is little investigated. Objectives We focused on the effects of abandonment of mountain meadows on species richness and assemblages of bumblebees, bugs and grasshoppers. Specifically, we investigated the influence of vegetation cover, flower cover, plant richness and surrounding landscape on the three insect groups.Methods Species richness, abundance and species assemblages of bumblebees, bugs and grasshoppers were surveyed in one Swiss and two Austrian regions: three meadows which had been abandoned for 15-60 years, and three extensively managed meadows (mown once a year, no use of fertilizers). We surveyed bumblebees and bugs by sweep net, and grasshoppers using the time-effective soundscape approach. Results Bumblebee species richness and abundance were significantly higher in managed meadows, whereas bug and grasshopper richness and abundance showed no differences between both management types. Managed and abandoned meadows harboured significantly different species assemblages of bugs and grasshoppers, but not of bumblebees. Increasing flower cover and plant richness increased bumblebee 123Landscape Ecol (2017) 32:1937-1951 DOI 10.1007 richness, but correlated negatively with richness of bugs. Surrounding open landscape positively affected bugs. Caelifera positively correlated with surrounding forest cover and negatively with vegetation cover. Vegetation cover positively affected Ensifera. Conclusions Abandoned and extensively managed meadows are important habitat types for the conservation of the three insect groups, thus suggesting the maintenance of both habitat types within mountain landscapes.

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The “mountain effect” in the abandonment of grasslands: Insights from the French Southern Alps

Cited by 77 publications

References 48 publications

Where Land Use Changes Occur: Using Soil Features to Understand the Economic Trends in Agricultural Lands

Where Land Use Changes Occur: Using Soil Features to Understand the Economic Trends in Agricultural Lands

Traditional Cheese Production and an EU Labeling Scheme: The Alpine Cheese Producers’ Opinion

Diversity of bumblebees, heteropteran bugs and grasshoppers maintained by both: abandonment and extensive management of mountain meadows in three regions across the Austrian and Swiss Alps

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