Evolution of vegetation under intensive grazing: Two examples in North-western Italian mountains

Re-utilization of abandoned grasslands by intensive grazing was investigated in two areas of the Appennino Ligure-Piemontese, at 596 and 820 m. Vegetation analysis was carried out for a period of 4 and 7 years, respectively, in the two environments. In the location with greater environmental limitations, intensive grazing made it possible to overcome certain constraints, increasing floristic richness and homogeneity. In the better location, able to sustain higher grazing pressure, grazing-tolerant species increased their presence, with the creation of communities characterized by a few species.