Description
LIFE+ TEN project: species protection demonstration action - safeguarding partridge populations
The species
The rock partridge(Alectoris greca), a species of Community interest, is a Galliform found in mountainous areas of the Italian peninsula and the Balkans. In Trentino the species frequents Alpine meadows and well exposed and steep open environments even at low altitudes.
The problem
Since the Second World War the rock partridge is becoming increasingly rare due to several factors
- the reduction and fragmentation of its habitat, due to the disappearance of large flocks of sheep and goats, which has led to the progressive recolonisation of pastures by trees and shrubs
- the reduction in food resources due to the disappearance of cereal crops and the rarefaction of insects linked to grazing herds
Objective of the action
The action aims to halt the loss of alpine grassland habitat in the Dolomiti di Brenta site. The creation of a local breeders' society to manage sheep and goats together with donkeys and mules will be encouraged through the purchase and entrusting of a flock of sheep to the society. An excursion tourism project will also be devised to use donkeys for somatic trekking in order to increase income sources for the society.
Expected results:
- Protection of an important and substantial partridge population to be achieved through the enhancement of the traditional practice of sheep and goat grazing.
Documentation