The effects of mountain farming on biodiversity - monitoring and evaluation of vegetation changes at managed and abandoned mountain pastures in the Gesaeuse National Park (Styria, Austria) in a ten years timescale
Claudia Plank, Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein (AT)
Mountain pastures, a characteristic element of the Austrian cultural landscape, cover large parts in protected areas. In our study, we used permanent plots to detect changes in plant species composition and plant species richness of managed and abandoned mountain pastures at Gesaeuse National Park. Monitoring was realised in a ten years timescale. Moreover the influence of climate change was investigated. Climate change had a minor and land use change a great impact on biodiversity. The relevance of mountain farming in National Parks from a nature conservation point of view is discussed.