PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Natura 2000 network site “Oasi xerotermiche della Val di Susa - Orrido di Chianocco e Foresto” in the Piedmont region of northern Italy is particularly important for its dry grasslands with orchids listed as a conservation priority in Annex I of the Habitats Directive as “Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (important orchid sites)”, The site is extremely significant due to the extent and richness of orchids and rare steno-Mediterranean species. The Xerothermic Oases was once characterised by intense agro-pastoral activity. However, since the 1950s, land abandonment has led to a marked change in plant composition, with substantial encroachment by shrubs and trees.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of LIFE Xero-grazing was to conserve and restore dry grasslands with orchids in a representative area of the “Oasi xerotermiche della Val di Susa - Orrido di Chianocco e Foresto” Natura 2000 network site. The project team aimed to define a restoration methodology and to implement actions for the conservation of significant portions of the habitat “Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)". Based on this, they aimed to produce technical guidance that could be applied in the Cottian Alps Natural Park (and other areas) to ensure sustainable and long-term management of dry grasslands, through the re-establishment of appropriate grazing and the mechanical clearing of shrub and tree-encroached areas. The project team also aimed to develop the tourist potential of the area.
RESULTS
The LIFE Xero-grazing project partnership conserved and restored dry grasslands with orchids within the “Oasi xerotermiche della Val di Susa - Orrido di Chianocco e Foresto” Natura 2000 network site, located in Val di Susa in the northwestern Alps. Thanks to the project, grazing was again carried out on land that had been abandoned.
The project team produced guidelines and a management plan for the conservation and restoration of two priority for conservation dry grassland habitats of the EU Habitats Directive: "Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites)" (6210*) and "Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands" (6240*). These focused on: (i) the restoration and conservation of rare species, (ii) the restoration of tree-shrub encroached grasslands, (iii) the grazing management of a sheep flock for conservation and restoration purposes, and (iv) Land Consolidation Associations as a viable tool to address the problem of land fragmentation on private properties. The management plan covered an initial area of about 80 ha, divided into two sectors owned by two municipalities (Bussoleno and Mompantero), which was enlarged as private landowners joined the project. An additional technical guide was produced to export the methodologies to other Natura 2000 sites, particularly mountain areas where habitats are vulnerable due to land abandonment.
129 permanent observation plots were established inside grazing sectors, to identify habitats and plant species of the Xerothermic Oases, monitor changes, and assess pastoral-forage value. 89 rectangular transects (2 x 12.5 m) were used to survey botanical composition every year, and 40 permanent plots (5 x 5 m) used to monitor populations of orchids and steno-Mediterranean species. Analysis involved phytopastoral (relating vegetation composition to forage value) and phytosociological (presence and abundance of species in a plant community) methods. A total of 230 vegetal species were identified, belonging to 42 different families; the family Orchidaceae accounted for 21 species.
The project team contracted a local company to cut shrubs/tree over a total of 20 ha of the two target habitats. To establish grazing, the beneficiaries installed 4.4 km of water pipes in four different areas with 25 small wells, 11 mobile drinking troughs, 2 tanks, 8 pedestrian gates and 4 gates for animals, and 3.8 km of fences. They purchased a flock of 150 sheep, of the traditional "Bergamasche" breed, which grazed following a precise pastoral management plan over about 80 ha of public land. Moreover, the project was able to involve 50 private landowners who authorised grazing on their land over a total of 29 ha (20 ha with signed agreements and 9 ha with verbally permission).
Monitoring confirmed that sheep grazing is an effective tool to maintain dry grasslands, which guarantees the persistence of characteristic species. Overall, grazing slows down vegetation succession towards forest, therefore maintaining biodiversity. Grassland biodiversity has remained almost constant and is very high (on average 45 species/25 m2). In November 2017 a fire occurred on about 72% of the Natura 2000 site (93% of project area, about 899 ha). Damage impeded the continuation of grazing, which restarted in spring 2020. Even after the fire, there were no negative repercussions on biodiversity; the dry grasslands had a good level of recovery after the fire.
Local people were engaged through public events and meetings, education activities conducted in schools, and 26 guided visits. Two paths were restored and noticeboards installed. The project team also produced printed information materials and four videos.
The project implements the Habitats Directive and led to the updating of the data of the Standard Natura 2000 Form for the target site. The project gave new value to a mountain environment that was abandoned, making it economically productive and boosting tourism. Local economic benefits arose from the employment of young people from a local firm to cut wooded areas, and water authorities to reconnect water pipes. A local sheep farmer received Rural Development Plan funding (until at least 2024).
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
