Grazing regulation actions

Effective grazing management is essential to protect restored habitats and ensure the long-term success of restoration actions across the NewLIFE4BioIslands intervention areas. This task will implement measures to reduce the impact of livestock and wild or feral herbivores on biodiversity islands and surrounding restoration sites while supporting sustainable land management practices.

The main actions include:

• Sustainable grazing pilot areas: Demonstration sites will be established in selected project regions to test controlled grazing practices, including rotational grazing systems that support vegetation recovery while reducing fire-prone biomass.
• Individual plant protection: Young native trees and shrubs will be protected using individual guards or small-scale protective structures to reduce herbivory during the early stages of establishment.
• Protection of biodiversity islands: Fenced restoration areas will be established to safeguard biodiversity islands from grazing pressure and ensure the successful establishment of native vegetation.
• Site-specific grazing management: Protection measures will be adapted to local ecological conditions and grazing pressures, addressing the specific challenges affecting each intervention area.

By combining habitat protection with sustainable grazing management, this task will help reconcile biodiversity conservation with traditional land-use practices and improve the long-term resilience of restored Mediterranean ecosystems.