Naslov
Reversing the Effects of Uncontrolled Grazing on Croatian Rangelands in the Mediterranean Zone

Autori
Rogosic, Jozo ; Norton, Ben ; Pfister, James

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), ostalo

Izvornik
Proceeding of the 54th Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management / Bartolomme - Berkeley (CA), 2003, 37-42

Skup
54th Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management

Mjesto i datum
Havaji, Sjedinjene Američke Države, 17.02.2003. - 23.02.2003

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Ispaša; prirodni pašnjaci; gospodarenje; Jadransko područje Hrvatske
(Grazing; natural pastures; management; Adriatic area of Croatia)

Sažetak
The proportion of rangelands is considerably higher in the Mediterranean littoral than in other ecological regions of Croatia. Sheep and goats are widespread in the region, comprising 76% of total sheep and goats numbers in Croatia However, in comparison to other regions of Croatia, livestock production in the Mediterranean zone is not well developed. Indeed, in the last 100 years the number of small ruminants and cattle has declined substantially (Radinovic and Supe, 1994). Since Croatian independence in 1992, the number of sheep and goats has begun to reverse this trend, as more young people are showing an interest in livestock production as free enterprise is emphasized in Croatian society. One impediment to improved livestock productivity is that only 15% of grazing land is privately owned. The remainder was communal land under the socialist government, and today remains in limbo status as the government retains responsibility but does not exercise management. Prior to Croatian independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, rural households farmed a few acres and owned some pastures, but livestock production relied on access to communal land, which was attached to the village. The right of access to the grazing commons was restricted to households registered in the village, but there was no restriction on the number of animals each household could graze on the commons, nor on the season of use. Herders took their animals to communal pasture as soon as green growth appeared in spring and kept them there until forage resources were exhausted. This uncontrolled use of rangelands continues today. Continuous grazing begun too early in the growing season has caused substantial rangeland degradation and a decline from potential productivity. Croatian government policy now favors the development of grazing plans, which will reverse environmental degradation and increase the overall carrying capacity of rangeland resources. The strategy is to rely on controlled grazing systems in which priority is given to restricting grazing pressure in the early spring, improving animal distribution and introducing rotational grazing practices. The more difficult task is to regulate animal numbers.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA