Project number: 18.00.17.06.02

Ecosystem Services of Grassland in the Mountain Area

Feed of special quality, valuable biodiversity, cultural identity and carbon storage – grasslands in the mountain area provide all these services to society. Despite direct payments by the federal government, however, these services are under threat from advancing structural and climate change.

Our research project aims to develop appropriate management methods to promote these services, based on the understanding of material flows in the soil and interactions between vegetation and grazing animals. The project also investigates measures for adapting to climate change – in particular, irrigation and its effects on the composition of plant populations, soil microorganisms and the carbon balance. It quantifies the contribution of extensively managed livestock breeds to the preservation of biodiversity, and evaluates cost-effective methods for keeping the landscape open, such as mulching and slash-and-burn. It also makes use of vegetation models and remote sensing analyses to assess the longer-term impacts of changed land-use strategies on ecosystem services.

Galasso G., Domina G., Bacchetta G., Banfi E., Barberis D., Bardi S., Bartolucci F., Bonari G., Bovio M., Briozzo I., Brundu G., Buono S., Calvia G., Celest-Grapow L. , Cozzolino A. and others
Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 12.
Italian Botanist, 12, 2021, 105-121.

Pauler C., Bernués A., Cozzi G., Gauly M., Holand Ø., Zanon T., Schneider M. K.
Opinion: A new research approach is needed to secure viable mountain livestock (eco-)systems.
In: 72nd Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science. 30 August - 3 September, Publ. EAAP, Davos. 2021, 236.

Pauler C., Schneider M. K.
Grazing with robust cattle breeds: An opportunity to sustainably use mountain grassland.
In: 72nd Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science. 30 August - 3 September, Publ. EAAP, Davos. 2021, 234.

Pauler C., Isselstein J., Bérard J., Braunbeck T., Schneider M. K.
Choosy grazers and plant communities: Interactions between cattle breeds and vegetation in semi-natural pastures.
In: International Grassland Congress Proceedings. 25 October, Publ. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi. 2021, 1-4.

Schneider M. K., Zehnder T., Bérard J., Pauler C., Staudinger M., Kreuzer M., Lüscher A.
Counteracting green alder shrub expansion by low-input grazing.
In: International Grassland Congress Proceedings. 25.9., Publ. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi. 2021, 1-4.

Schneider M. K., Huguenin-Elie O., Fabian Y.
Biodiversität vs. Futterproduktion: Erkenntnisse aus der Wissenschaft.
In: Infotag für Ökobüros, Amt für Landwirtschaft und Geoinformation Graubünden. 31.März, Online - Amt für Landwirtschaft und Geoinformation Graubünden. 2021, 1-41.

Rixen C., Peters M., Edelkraut K., Schneider M. K.
Hochlagenbegrünung - Mission Impossible?
FloraCH: die botanische Zeitschrift der Schweiz = le magazine botanique suisse = la rivista botanica della Svizzera, 13, 2021, 4-6.

Kehrli P., Fragnière A.-L.
WP 2 Plant species suitable to control arthropod pests in the vineyard.
In: Final Congress. 27 May, Publ. Core organic Cofound, Biovine, online. 2021, 1-37.

Pauler C., Schneider M. K.
Lifting the secrets of pastures: Animal-borne sensors uncover processes unobserved by classical grassland research.
In: 21st Symposium of the European Grassland Federation EGF. 18.05.2021, online, Universität Kassel. 2021.

Luo W., Griffin-Nolan R.J., Ma W., Liu B., Zuo X., Xu C., Yu Q., Luo Y., Mariotte P., Smith M., Collins S.L., Knapp A., Wang Z., Han X.
Plant traits and soil fertility mediate productivity losses under extreme drought in C3 grasslands.
Ecology, online, (April 23), 2021, 1-48.

Galasso G., Domina G., Andreatta S., Argenti E., Bacchetta G., Bagella S., Banfi E., Barberis D., Bardi S., Barone G., Bartolucci F., Bertolli A., Biscotti N., Bonali F., Bonini F. and others
Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 11.
Italian Botanist, 11, 2021, 93-119.

Mariotte P., Svensk M., Perotti E., Pittarello M., Nota G., Schneider M. K., Probo M.
The ROBUSTAlps project: a silvopastoral system in Alnus viridis-encroached alpines pastures.
In: 5th European Agroforestry Conference / Agroforestry for the transition towards sustainability and bioeconomy. 17-19 May, Publ. EURAF2020, Nuoro, Sardinia. 2021, 1-2.

Mariotte P., Svensk M., Perotti E., Pittarello M., Nota G., Schneider M. K., Probo M.
The ROBUSTALPS project: a silvopastoral system in Alnus viridis-encroached alpines pastures.
In: 5th European Agroforestry Conference. 17-19 May, Publ. EURAF2020, Nuoro, Sardinia. 2021, 1.

Probo M., Perotti E., Schlegel P., Amaudruz M.
Pierres ou seaux à lécher pour mieux répartir le bétail sur le pâturage.
Agridea Merkblatt, Mai, 2021, 4.8.5.1-4.8.5.4.

Li Z, Liang M., Li Z., Mariotte P., Tong X., Zhang J., Dong L., Ma W., Zhao L., Wang L., Wen L., Tuvshintogtokh I., Gornish E. S., Dang Z., Liang C. and others
Plant functional groups mediate the effects of climate and soil factors on species richness and community biomass in grasslands on the Mongolian Plateau.
Journal of Plant Ecology, 14, (4), 2021, 679-691.

Svensk M., Pittarello M., Nota G., Schneider M. K., Allan E., Mariotte P., Probo M.
Spatial Distribution of Highland Cattle in Alnus viridis Encroached Subalpine Pastures.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, (February), 2021, 1-7.

Mainetti A., D'Amico M., Probo M., Quaglia E., Ravetto Enri S., Celi L., Lonati M.
Successional Herbaceous Species Affect Soil Processes in a High-Elevation Alpine Proglacial Chronosequence.
Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 2021, 1-15.

Zuliani A., Contiero B., Schneider M. K., Arsenos G., Bernués A., Dovc P., Gauly M., Holand Ø., Martin B., Morgan-Davies C., Zollitsch W., Cozzi G.
Topics and trends in Mountain Livestock Farming research: a text mining approach.
Animal, 15, (1), 2021, 1-7.

Hollunder R.K, Mariotte P., Tavares Carrijo T., Holmgren M., Luber J., Stein-Soares B., Guidoni-Martins K.G., Ferreira-Santos K., Scarano F.R., Garbin M.L.
Topography and vegetation structure mediate drought impacts on the understory of the South American Atlantic forest.
Science of the Total Environment, 766, 2021, 1-10.

Pauler C., Isselstein J., Bérard J., Schneider M. K.
Cattle breed – an underestimated driver of mountain pasture management.
In: 1st Joint meeting EAAP Mountain Livestock Farming & FAO-CIHEAM Mountain Pasture. 28-30 September, Publ. University of Ljubljana, Bled. 2020, 1.

Probo M., Perotti E., Amaudruz M.
Parcs de nuit mobiles pour le bétail: un outil pour mieux gérer la végétation des pâturages.
Agridea Merkblatt, November, 2020, 4.8.4.1-4.8.4.4.

Svensk M., Coste S., Gérard B., Gril E., Julien F., Maillard P., Stahl C., Leroy C.
Drought effects on resource partition and conservation among leaf ontogenetic stages in epiphytic tank bromeliads.
Physiologia Plantarum, 170, (4), 2020, 488-507.

Pauler C.
Hochlandrinder unter der Lupe: Ein Bericht aus der Forschung.
Highland Cattle: Journal der Hochlandrinder-Züchter in Deutschland, 2020, 101-103.

Pauler C., Isselstein J., Suter M., Bérard J., Braunbeck T., Schneider M. K.
Selektive græssere.
Highland Nyt, 2, 2020, 13-22.

Schneider M. K.
Regulierung der Verbuschung.
Bündner Bauer, 25, 2020, 15-17.

Quaglia E., Ravetto Enri S., Perotti E., Probo M., Lombardi G., Lonati M.
Alpine tundra species phenology is mostly driven by climate-related variables rather than by photoperiod.
Journal of Mountain Science, 17, (9), 2020, 2081-2096.

Ravetto Enri S., Probo M., Renna M., Caro E., Lussiana C., Battaglini L.M., Lombardi G., Lonati M.
Temporal variations in leaf traits, chemical composition and in vitro true digestibility of four temperate fodder tree species.
Animal Production Science, 60, 2020, 643-658.

Feng W., Mariotte P., Xu L., Buttler A., Bragazza L., Jiang J., Santonja M.
Seasonal variability of groundwater level effects on the growth of Carex cinerascens in lake wetlands.
Ecology and Evolution, 10, 2020, 517-526.

Peters M., Edelkraut K., Schneider M. K., Rixen C.
Richtlinien Hochlagenbegrünung.
Ingenieurbiologie, 3, (Dezember), 2019, 1-64.

Pauler C.
Mehr Vielfalt durch Hochlandrinder.
Top Agrar, 12, 2019, 72-75.

Pauler C., Isselstein J., Braunbeck T., Schneider M. K.
Einfluss unterschiedlicher Rinderrassen auf die Weidevegetation.
Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Grünland und Futterbau AGFF, 6, 2019, 53-56.

Schneider M. K., Zehnder T., Bérard J., Kreuzer M., Lüscher A.
Verbindung von Produktions- und Naturschutzzielen durch die extensive Beweidung von Grenzertragslagen.
Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Grünland und Futterbau AGFF, 6, 2019, 45-48.

Liang M., Gornish ES, Mariotte P., Chen J., Liang C.
Foliar nutrient content mediates grazing effects on species dominance and plant community biomass.
Rangeland Ecology & Management, 72, 2019, 899-906.

Silva L., Fox A., Lüscher A., Barreiro A., Dimitrova Mårtensson L.M., Vieira A., Parelho C., Cruz C., Melo J., Musyoki M., Zimmermann J., Rasche F., Widmer F.
Linking above- and belowground diversity: plants and microbes as indicators of grassland management intensity.
Grassland Science in Europe, 24, 2019, 468.

Musyoki M., Melo J., Zimmermann J., Guo Y., Jongen M., Cruz C., Fox A., Lüscher A., Widmer F., Barreiro A., Dimitrova Mårtensson L.M., Silva L., Vieira Â., Parelho C., Rasche F.
Soil enzyme activities as driven by contrasting agro-ecologies and management practices in grassland across Europe.
Grassland Science in Europe, 24, 2019, 467.

Fox A., Lüscher A., Barreiro A., Dimitrova Mårtensson L.M., Silva L., Vieira Â.F., Parelho C., Cruz C., Melo J., Musyoki M., Zimmermann J., Rasche F., Widmer F.
The distribution of bacterial operational taxonomic units in European grasslands.
Grassland Science in Europe, 24, 2019, 466.

Barreiro A., Fox A., Lüscher A., Widmer F., Vieira A., Parelho C., Silva L., Melo J., Cruz C., Musyoki M., Zimmermann J., Rasche F., Dimitrova Martensson L.M.
Soil microbial biomass and community structure in differently managed grasslands along a European gradient.
Grassland Science in Europe, 24, 2019, 464.

Pittarello M., Probo M., Perotti E., Lonati M., Lombardi G., Ravetto Enri S.
Grazing Management Plans improve pasture selection by cattle and forage quality in sub-alpine and alpine grasslands.
Journal of Mountain Science, 16, (9), 2019, 2140-2149.

Schneider M. K., Edelkraut Kirsten, Suter D.
High-elevation grassland re-establishment using adapted seed mixtures.
Grassland Science in Europe, 24, 2019, 515-517.

Pauler C., Isselstein J., Braunbeck T., Schneider M. K.
The impact of cattle breed on pasture vegetation.
In: Adapting innovation in grassland management. 4 November, Publ. NIBIO, Tjotta, Lofoten Island, Norway. 2018, 100-101.

Staudinger M., Zehnder T., Schneider M. K.
Quantifying browsing damage on shrubs by grazing animals.
In: Adapting innovation in grassland management. 4 November, Publ. NIBIO, Tjotta, Lofoten Island, Norway. 2018, 34-35.

Roth M.E., Hoess R., Lechleitner M., Klieber-Kühne A., Schneider M. K.
Räumliche und zeitliche Verteilung von Heuschrecken in den Wiesen von Sent.
Jahresbericht der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Graubündens, 120, 2018, 27-35.

Perotti E., Probo M., Pittarello M., Lonati M., Lombardi G.
A 5-year rotational grazing changes the botanical composition of sub-alpine and alpine grasslands.
Applied Vegetation Science, 21, (4), 2018, 647-657.

Meisser M., Dekumbis V., Probo M.
Towards a better understanding of the early stages of secondary succession of under-exploited summer alpine pastures.
In: 20th meeting of the FAO-CIHEAM Mountain Pasture Network. 9th – 12th September 2018, Ballstad, Lofotev, Norway. NIBIO BOOK 11(4). Vol 4 nr 11, Publ. NIBIO, Hogskolevegen 7, NO-1432 AS. 2018, 53-53.

Schneider M. K., Mettler D.
Problempflanzen im Alpgebiet.
Landfreund, (5), 2018, 26-29.

Fox A., Suter M., Widmer F., Lüscher A.
Yield stimulating legacy effect of sown legume abundance in a ley on the performance of a Lolium multiflorum following crop.
In: Sustainable meat and milk production from grasslands. Volume 23, Publ. European Grassland Federation, Wageningen Academic Publishers. 2018, 60-62.

Lonati M., Perotti E., Probo M., Pittarello M., Lombardi G.
Changing from continuous to rotational grazing enhances alpine grassland composition and plant diversity: results of a five-year monitoring.
In: First European Symposium on Livestock Farming in Mountain Areas - Book of Abstracts. 20-22 June, Publ. Freie Universität Bozen-Bolzano, EURAC Research, EAAP, Università degli studi di Padua and FIBL Switzerland, Bozen-Bolzano. 2018, 62-62.

Koch B., Homburger H., Edwards P. J., Schneider M. K.
Phosphorus redistribution by dairy cattle on a heterogeneous subalpine pasture, quantified using GPS tracking.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 257, 2018, 183-192.