Analysis of a set of indicators to assess pastoral ecosystems utilised at different level

In Italy, such as in other parts of Europe, the progressive reduction of pastoral activity and of agricultural practices caused remarkable changes on floristic composition of several herbaceous associations. This is especially clear in marginal mountain areas, both on the Alpine and on the Apennines chains. Modifications of the herbaceous components affect, in the long period, the whole ecosystem and macroscopically also the landscape. The passage from intensive to extensive forms of pasture exploitation without an appropriate planning causes the formation of vegetal associations characterised by oligotrophic species (like Brachypodium sp.) and by a remarkable number of shrubby species. In this study, conducted during the whole vegetative season in a mountain area in Tuscany (Central Italy), five nearby sites characterised by the same environmental conditions but with a different gradient of utilisation were identified. In each site the degree of evolution of vegetal communities has been evaluated through the collection of a series of biological and ecophysiological indicators, such as botanical composition and some characteristics of litter (thickness and weight). Results showed high difference in some studied parameters that can be properly used to predict the changes in the environment and to create a set of indicators that can be used as management tools.