Characterisation of pastures in a eastern Alpine area in relation to ecological and management parameters

The present investigation was carried out in Val Visdende (north-eastern Italian Alps) on a surface of 1108 ha, with the aim of identifying the most important pasture vegetation types. Based on the conditions observed in the area, main parameters concerning topographic, ecological and management conditions were evaluated and expressed using synthetic indexes. Cluster and principal component analyses were used for the interpretation of the distribution of pasture types in relation to ecological factors, allowing to formulate hypotheses on the evolution of pasture vegetation as a function of ecological and management parameters.