Track 2-15: Biodiversity and Conservation of Grasslands
Description
Semi-natural grasslands in Poland have been identified as having extraordinary biodiversity value. In the past, the species richness of these semi-natural landscapes has been managed through grazing. However, livestock numbers are now in decline, many grasslands are abandoned and consequently the diversity of these landscapes is under threat. In order to prevent these habitats from turning to scrublands, these areas have to be extensively harvested. Regulations dictate a late harvest time to allow reproduction of the flora and fauna. Many of semi-natural and riparian grasslands are protected under the European Habitats Directive and their management is financially supported by introduction of agri-environmental schemes (Goliński and Golińska 2011). The biomass harvested from those grasslands is not suitable in animal feeding but can be used for bioenergy production (Wachendorf and Soussana 2012). The aim of this study was to analyse the possibilities of integrating the bioenergy production with biodiversity conservation of semi-natural and riparian grasslands in Wielkopolska region.
Included in
Integrating the Bioenergy Production with Biodiversity Conservation on Semi-Natural and Riparian Grasslands
Semi-natural grasslands in Poland have been identified as having extraordinary biodiversity value. In the past, the species richness of these semi-natural landscapes has been managed through grazing. However, livestock numbers are now in decline, many grasslands are abandoned and consequently the diversity of these landscapes is under threat. In order to prevent these habitats from turning to scrublands, these areas have to be extensively harvested. Regulations dictate a late harvest time to allow reproduction of the flora and fauna. Many of semi-natural and riparian grasslands are protected under the European Habitats Directive and their management is financially supported by introduction of agri-environmental schemes (Goliński and Golińska 2011). The biomass harvested from those grasslands is not suitable in animal feeding but can be used for bioenergy production (Wachendorf and Soussana 2012). The aim of this study was to analyse the possibilities of integrating the bioenergy production with biodiversity conservation of semi-natural and riparian grasslands in Wielkopolska region.
