Integrating Agricultural Production and Biodiversity: Wood Pastures as Model Systems
Integrating Agricultural Production and Biodiversity: Wood Pastures as Model Systems

Author(s): István Urák, Lídia Szigyártó, Tibor Hartel
Subject(s): Essay|Book Review |Scientific Life, Geography, Regional studies, Environmental Geography
Published by: Scientia Kiadó
Keywords: biodiversity;wood pastures;grasslands
Summary/Abstract: Grazing, food production, agricultural interests, on the one hand, and biodiversity, on the other hand, do not necessarily exclude one another. On the contrary, pastures with sparse trees and shrubs may well integrate agricultural production and biodiversity conservation. The structural properties of the wood pastures are tightly related to biodiversity; therefore, traditional (and at the same time economically profitable) agricultural activities, such as grazing, pasture clean-up, and the maintenance of the sparse and old trees and shrubs, are essential for the conservation of biodiversity. These activities do not lead to the shortage of agricultural production – on the contrary, the presence of sparse trees and shrubs is accompanied by benefits such as shade for the grazing animals in the summer or foliage and fruit (acorn, thorn-apple, pear) as food supplement for the livestock in the summer and autumn.

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