Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E019
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, E019 (2025)
Return to tradition – the importance of grazing animals in the protection of thermophilic grasslands
Justyna Wielgos1*
1 Department of Grassland and Landscape Shaping, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: justyna.wielgos@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
In the past, grazing animals have been an integral part of the traditional range, shaping the landscape and biodiversity of valuable natural habitats. Intensification and changes in agricultural policy to limit grazing, which resulted in the overgrowth of xerothermic and sandy grasslands and the use of expanded diversity. The work is based on the analysis of scientific literature, statistical data and case studies on the impact of grazing animals on valuable natural habitats, including xerothermic and sandy grasslands. A comparative analysis method was used to assess the effects of grazing reduction, as well as the potential benefits associated with its restoration. The search for scientific literature and statistical data was carried out using the following keywords: “protection of xerothermic grasslands”, “protection of sandy grasslands”, “xerothermic grasslands”, “sandy grasslands”, “biodiversity”, “traditional agriculture”, “agricultural intensification”, “Natura 2000”, “restoration of valuable habitats”, “grassland ecosystems”, “restoration”, “active protection”, “sustainable rural development”, “grazing”, “grazing management”, “sheep grazing”, “grazing pressure”, “grazing exclusion”. Publications in the field of ecology, agriculture and nature conservation were analyzed. The reduction of grazing has led to a significant loss of biodiversity. In addition, the lack of grazing has contributed to changes in soil structure and the disappearance of the traditional landscape. The restoration of grazing can be an effective conservation tool, contributing to the maintenance of plant and animal species diversity, improving soil quality and restoring the traditional landscape. The challenges associated with the restoration of grazing will also be discussed, such as the lack of traditional animal breeds that were well adapted to grazing, the lack of pastoral infrastructure and conflicts with other forms of land use. The return to the tradition of grazing animals is crucial for the protection of xerothermic and sandy grasslands. However, this requires financial and educational support for farmers, as well as actions to restore the pastoral infrastructure. The work will include specific examples that illustrate the positive effects of the return to grazing.
Keywords: grasslands, sandy grasslands, grazing, secondary succession
How to cite
J. Wielgos, 2025. Return to tradition – the importance of grazing animals in the protection of thermophilic gras. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E019