Map of livestock density in Central Appenines: a standardised protocol

Effective ecosystem management requires a deep understanding of how human activities, such as livestock farming, impact ecological dynamics. Livestock farming influences vegetation structure, nutrient cycling, and wildlife behaviour, yet there are limited standardised methods for estimating livestock grazing pressure on a local scale. Here we developed a standardised protocol for mapping livestock density at cadastral sheet resolution, and we tested it in a mid-mountain area of Central Apennines, Italy. The protocol combines municipal grazing data related to seasonal high-altitude pasture with interviews and geospatial mapping to create fine-scale livestock distribution maps. We focused on different livestock species and we produced a separate map for each: cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. Our protocol addressed a critical gap in conservation research by providing a robust framework for quantifying grazing pressure. These data are crucial for understanding livestock-wildlife interactions and informing ecosystem management strategies on local territory.