Since 1960, the area of pure alpine pastures and mountain meadows has decreased by 20%, and the total area of extensively managed land by more than 40%. These areas were rarely converted into agricultural grassland through improvement measures; mostly, they were lost to forest or wasteland (Green Report 2007). The disproportionate climate warming in the Alpine region will further accelerate this process (Dirnböck 2003, Dullinger 2004, Schaumberger 2005). The present research project supports this goal through the following approach: The Styrian Sheep Breeders' Association is developing a LEADER+ project in the Liezen LEADER region, running from 2008 to 2013. In this project, a contiguous alpine pasture region (Hauser Kaibling – alpine pasture and ski slope sections, ~150 ha) will be subjected to regulated, active grazing by a flock of sheep (~600 ewes and 200 lambs) accompanied by a shepherd. The LFZ is supporting this project, thus creating mutual synergies to clarify the following sub-questions/goals:
- Effect of grazing on the plant population, yield and forage quality of ski slopes and alpine pastures
- Effects of alpine pasture on the development of the ewes, as well as the fattening and slaughter performance of the lambs and their meat quality
- Animal health on home farms and the effect of alpine grazing on the health of grazing animals
- Economic efficiency, marketing and SWOT analysis of the management approach
- Large-scale monitoring of alpine pasture management using a planning tool based on satellite images
- Development of a practical manual for establishing the new, innovative alpine pasture grazing method.
This joint project integrates all institutes of the LFZ and follows the entire production cycle according to the motto: "From stable to table!"
Further information on project implementation can be found in the database for research and sustainable development (Dafne) -> Link
