engleski

The role of local breeds in preserving the ecosystem of karst poljes

Dinaric karst poljes are extremely sensitive ecosystems, especially karst pastures and meadows (hay meadows) created after millenia of anthropogenic activities. Pastures and meadows have unquestionable economic, biological, landscape and cultural value. The preservation of ecosystems of karst pastures and meadows is difficult today, primarily for the neglect of livestock production, low pasture load, the abandonment of the traditional way of cattle breeding, cessation of mowing, neglecting local breeds and traditional cattle breeding systems. With the cessation of the economic use of karst pastures and meadows, there is a gradual and persistent degradation of habitats, succession of meadows and pastures, aggressive spread of invasive weedy shrubs and trees and reduction of total biological and economic value of karst poljes. The consequence of those negative processes is the disappearance of life niche for numerous useful plant and animal species, including some bird species. The preservation of the biodiversity of the karst pastures and meadows is provided by the polyvalent approach of grazing (of primarily indigenous breeds) and mowing (at least once in two years). Grazing positively affects the floristic composition of plant communities by creating suitable conditions for establishing habitats for many endangered birds, mammals, invertebrates and other organisms. Mowing ensures the pasture potential to be used more thoroughly, cleans the pasture of the remains of old vegetation, and prevents the appearance and spread of invasive weed plant species. Local (autochthonous) breeds are, due to the accumulated adaptation to the ecosystem in which they have evolved, more suitable for conservation of the ecosystem and biodiversity of the plant and animal world, including the diversity of bird species. The synergy of different bird species and domestic animals in karst ecosystems is one of the examples of positive interrelations. In relation to industrial (farming) systems, the traditional and extensive farming systems have significantly more positive effects on the sustainability of ecosystems and present less risks of pollution and disruption of the ecosystem. In conservation of the karst ecosystem, it is desirable to use different species of domestic animals, in particular sheep, goats and cattle, notably pramenka sheep, buša or dalmatian grey cows and local genotypes of goats. The animals on the pastures also add the aesthetic value to the landscape.

local breeds, ecosystems, pastures, meadows, biodiversity

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