Plant diversity and functions in semi-natural grasslands under different management intensities

Plant diversity and functions in semi-natural grasslands under different management intensities Napoleone Francesca1, Giarrizzo Eleonora1, Argenti Giovanni2, Blasi Carlo1, Burrascano Sabina1 1Department of Environmental Biology - Sapienza University of Rome Presenting author: francesca.napoleone@uniroma1.it Session 3 Question: Main aims of this study are: i) assess the relationships between plant diversity and ecosystem services such as forage for livestock and support to insect pollinators; ii) define compositional, structural and functional traits that indicate a high pastoral value and support to pollinators; iii) identify the management practices that better combine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functionality. Methods: The study focuses on the 6210(*) habitat: semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (*important orchid sites). The study area includes the Central Apennines and the North-Western Alps. The sampling design is based on management data, sampling units are randomly located in patches subjected to different grazing regimes (number and type of animals) and in abandoned areas. Vascular plant species composition will be recorded together with several information on topography and soil. For each sampling unit, based on vascular plant species abundance we will calculate the pastoral value and the degree of support to insect pollinators as well as the habitat conservation status. These ecosystem properties will be related and associated to different management regimes. Results: We expect that a higher plant diversity relates to a higher pastoral value and support for insect pollinators and that these positive ecosystem properties are associated with low stocking rates. Conclusions: Identifying the management practices causing a high degree of conservation for the habitat and maintaining its functions is essential to achieve good governance models.