Integrating foraging attributes of domestic livestock breeds into sustainable systems for grassland biodiversity and wider countryside benefits

Objective

The objective is to identify sustainable grazing management practices for maintaining and enhancing bio diverse grasslands. The effects of management system (targeted at production or at biodiversity) and animal breed (commercial or rustic) on botanical, structural and invertebrate biodiversity will be quantified and the socio-economic costs and benefits evaluated. Integrated investigations in countries will comprise the following tasks:
1. Compilation of a web resident European database of research relevant to the management of bio diverse grasslands.
2Comparison of animal foraging behaviour;
3. Comparison of agronomic output;
4.comparison of botanical and structural biodiversity;
5 comparison of invertebrate biodiversity;
6 socio-economic evaluations. The results will allow improved recommendations for the integrated management of bio diverse grasslands.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › computer and information sciences › databases
• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems
• agricultural sciences › animal and dairy science › domestic animals › animal husbandry
• natural sciences › biological sciences › zoology › invertebrate zoology

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-5. - Key action Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

INSTITUTE OF GRASSLAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Address

Plas Gogerddan
SY23 3EB Aberystwyth
United Kingdom

Participants (6)

CHELTENHAM AND GLOUCESTER COLLEGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

United Kingdom

Address

Swindon Road, Francis Close Hall Campus
GL50 4AZ Cheltenham

GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITY GOETTINGEN

Germany

Address

Von-siebold-strasse 8
37075 Goettingen

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

France

Address

Inra Theix
63122 St Genes Champanelle

PROVINCIA DI PORDENONE - SETTORE AGRICOLTURA AZIENDE SPERIMENTALI E DIMOSTRATIVE

Italy

Address

Via Martelli 51
33170 Pordenone

SERVICIO REGIONAL DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO AGROALIMENTARIO

Spain

Address

Carretera De Oviedo S/n
33300 Villaviciosa

STICHTING VLINDERONDERZOEK

Netherlands

Address

Mennonietenweg 10
6700 AM Wageningen