Fifteen percent of the mountain forests in Switzerland are grazed by domestic animals. The forest laws of some alpine cantons prescribe a new regulation of controversial grazing rights. To evaluate the cost and benefit of forest grazing the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) at Davos started an interdisciplinary project in May 2000 on the behaviour of cattle and the dynamics of forests on subalpine wood pastures.
A first step describes the management of subalpine wood pastures. In order to determine herbage supply and the selection of specific plant species, vegetation maps were drawn up before and after grazing. Using a double indicator technique, which involved the daily collection of faeces and herbage spot samples, herbage intake and digestibility were analysed. Intake of tree parts was quantified by measuring the shoot lengths of young spruces, larches and rowans immediately before and after grazing. Collars equipped with GPS were used to study the cattle’s spatial use of (sub-)alpine pastures. Long term effects on forest structure and wood quality were investigated using dendroecological techniques. Based on the results of these studies, it will be possible to ascertain basic conditions for a sustainable management of Alpine silvopastoral systems. Concluding, an outlook will be given on the possible future of forest grazing in the Swiss Alps and in other regions of Europe.