Rusterholz Hanspeter

Wiederbewirtschaftung von verlassenen Terrassenlandschaften im geplanten "Parco Nazionale del Locarnese" (TI)

Project Number: CH-6256

Project Type:	Master
Project Duration:	06/01/2016 - 03/31/2017 project completed
Funding Source:	other ,
Leading Institution:	Institut für Natur, Landschafts- und Umweltschutz, Departement Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Basel
Project Leader:	Dr. Hanspeter Rusterholz

related to this project.

for which the project has a relevance.

Research Areas:

Biodiversity

Disciplines:

general biology

Abstract:
Traditionally managed terraced landscapes are characterized by a high structural diversity providing habitats for many different plants and animals. Due to the cessation of traditional management prac- tices, especially in remote valleys and on steep slopes, forest areas are expanding and replace the species-rich open meadows and pastures. In this study I assessed the potential success of resumed management on plant diversity of terraced vineyards and grasslands. Restoration actions at the dif- ferent study sites were carried out ten to fifteen years ago before the vegetation survey was conducted. The results showed both a reduced species richness and diversity (Shannon index) of vascular plants, additionally to a changed plant species composition in abandoned areas compared to the permanently used and restored areas of vineyards and grasslands.
However, plant diversity measures did not differ between permanently used and restored areas, which indicates a successful restoration of the characteristic vegetation within ten to fifteen years after sev- eral years of abandonment. The present study demonstrates that extensive management practices ac- companied with a high landscape diversity and a high local species diversity are important factors for a successful restoration of abandoned habitats. For this reason, the protection of large-scale traditional man-made landscapes, where all habitats are more or less connected and maintained by a variety of different land use practices, prevents the loss of a species-rich, valuable environment.

Publications:
Binggeli, D. 2017. Successful Restoration of Abandoned Terraced Vineyards and Grasslands in Southern Switzerland (TI). Masterhtesis, University of Basel.
pdf Riassunto dei risultati principali
pdf Zusammenfassung der wichtigsten Resultate



Last update: 12/16/17
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-6256

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