Analisi spazio-temporale della produzione di praterie secondarie nell'Appennino Umbro-marchigiano (Italia)

Space-time analysis ofproduction of secondary grasslands in the Apennine region of Umbria and Marche (Italy) - The paper shows the results of a study conducted in the Apennine region ofUmbr i a and Marche (centraI Italy), to assess the forage produc t ion of native pastureland and grazed meadows analysing its space-time variations. The ultimate objective of the study was to gai n useful information to promot e a sustainable management of these pastureland. The grassland produc t ion was low, due to the rainfall distribution dur ing the growing season. The space-time analysis of grass heights showed that the grazing intensity was high. However, the current management allowed the maintenance of the grassland and of its potential production, which could be constrained by the abandonment . The weighted plate meter proved to be effective in estimating grass production and its space-time variations in wide areas.