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Perceived feasibility of sward management options in permanent grassland of Alpine regions and expected effects on delivery of ecosystem services

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriele Mack

    (Agroscope)

  • Nadja El Benni

    (Agroscope)

  • Martina Spörri

    (Agroscope)

  • Olivier Huguenin-Elie

    (Agroscope)

  • Sophie Tindale

    (Newcastle University)

  • Erik Hunter

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Paul Newell Price

    (ADAS)

  • Lynn J. Frewer

    (Newcastle University)

Abstract

Agriculture in Alpine regions plays an important role for multiple ecosystem services (ES) supplied from permanent grassland (PG). This paper investigates the feasibility of sward renewal, overseeding, and rising plate meters on PG for the Swiss Alpine region and analyses their expected effects on ES supply. Sward renewal and overseeding are management options implemented in response to a decline of grassland yields and nutritive value or sward damage. Rising plate meters focus on increased grass utilisation for improving profitability of grassland farms in a sustainable manner. The aim was to improve the understanding which of these three PG management practices could be promoted to deliver a wide range of agricultural and non-agricultural ESs in the Swiss Alpine region. Through interviews with 75 farmers (including organic and intensive/extensive non-organic farmers) and a Delphi-methodology on a panel of experts (N = 10 experts with different expertise), we found that sward renewal is perceived to have negative effects on biodiversity, carbon storage, flood control, prevention of soil erosion, and prevention of loss of organic matter in Alpine regions. Therefore, sward renewal should not be promoted, although about half of the farmers interviewed had already carried out the practice on plots following severe sward damage in Alpine regions. Overseeding is perceived to have positive effects on biodiversity, prevention of soil erosion, and grass production. Thus, the high level of overseeding that is currently practiced in the Swiss Alpine region is probably sustainable. Rising plate meters do not play a significant role in PG management in the Alpine region because calibration in PG with diverse grassland botanical composition in the Alpine region is too difficult.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriele Mack & Nadja El Benni & Martina Spörri & Olivier Huguenin-Elie & Sophie Tindale & Erik Hunter & Paul Newell Price & Lynn J. Frewer, 2024. "Perceived feasibility of sward management options in permanent grassland of Alpine regions and expected effects on delivery of ecosystem services," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 4579-4601, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02899-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02899-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lu Wen & Shikui Dong & Yuanyuan Li & Xiaoyan Li & Jianjun Shi & Yanlong Wang & Demei Liu & Yushou Ma, 2013. "Effect of Degradation Intensity on Grassland Ecosystem Services in the Alpine Region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-8, March.
    2. Nemecek, Thomas & Huguenin-Elie, Olivier & Dubois, David & Gaillard, Gérard & Schaller, Britta & Chervet, Andreas, 2011. "Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: II. Extensive and intensive production," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 233-245, March.
    3. Norman Dalkey & Olaf Helmer, 1963. "An Experimental Application of the DELPHI Method to the Use of Experts," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 9(3), pages 458-467, April.
    4. Silva Marzetti & Marta Disegna & Giulia Villani & Maria Speranza, 2011. "Conservation and recreational values from semi-natural grasslands for visitors to two Italian parks," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 169-191.
    5. Mack, Gabriele & Ritzel, Christian & Jan, Pierrick, 2020. "Determinants for the Implementation of Action-, Result- and Multi-Actor-Oriented Agri-Environment Schemes in Switzerland," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    6. Schirpke, Uta & Kohler, Marina & Leitinger, Georg & Fontana, Veronika & Tasser, Erich & Tappeiner, Ulrike, 2017. "Future impacts of changing land-use and climate on ecosystem services of mountain grassland and their resilience," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 26(PA), pages 79-94.
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