Livestock farming systems in the eastern Italian Alps: ecosystem services and product quality

This paper analyzed the trends of the livestock sector in the eastern Italian Alps, and then examined different case studies focusing on the possible strategies to generate added-value for local products and on the ecosystems services provided by mountain farms. In the last twenty years the number of livestock farms decreased (-38%), while the average herd size increased. Alpine summer farms decreased less, but showed a radical change in livestock and especially pasture management. Since only the maintenance of a territorial network of traditional cattle farms is able to contrast the abandoning of grasslands, this evolution resulted into an important reforestation of permanent meadows and pastures (–18%), which host a rich plant and animal biodiversity. In many areas, extensive farms have to deal with constraints and opportunities of the Natura 2000 network, and are increasingly exposed to conflicts with wildlife. An important role for the valorization of traditional and low input livestock farms is played by recognition of products quality (e.g. by Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label, and Slow Food presidia). In addition, the evaluation of livestock farms sustainability in mountainous areas should take into account also their ecosystem services, for which specific indexes are needed.