»HagmarksMISTRA - Management of seminatural grasslands – economics and ecology
HagmarksMISTRA - Management of seminatural grasslands - economics and ecology
THE PROBLEM
Unfertilised seminatural grasslands possess a flora and fauna that has developed over many years' intensive exploitation for animal feed production. Sweden's seminatural grasslands are important for a number of reasons. They offer an extremely high biodiversity of plant and animals species, of which many are threatened, and are of major historical significance. In addition, meadows and pastures are well-appreciated recreational areas and they play an important role in art, literature and music. Because of dwindling numbers of farms and a lack of traditional management (grazing and hay-making), the unfertilised seminatural grasslands of Sweden face extinction. This is also causing a significant reduction in the biodiversity of the agricultural landscape.
HOW CAN THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM?
Swedish farmers can now receive environmental support for keeping ruminants on natural pastures and this facilitates good management of the land and preserves the biodiversity of the grasslands. This type of management support is, however, a relatively new phenomenon, which only recently has started to be seen as legitimate income and a legitimate form of production. There is, hence, a major need for more knowledge on good production and business models. This knowledge must be supported by scientific results if optimum solutions for successful and profitable management of different types of seminatural grasslands are to be found. Practical advice to farmers should also be offered, and it should be possible to build new bridges between nature conservationists and farmers. Internationally speaking, there are no other programmes like it, which is why HagmarksMISTRA could also strengthen Sweden's position on the international arena and inspire international colleagues to work in a similar fashion.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESULTS?
Agriculture. Central, regional and local authorities responsible for agricultural, environmental and nature conservation issues.
Programme period: 2001-2008
Funding: Mistra SEK 47 million
Main contractor: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
