ProjectsEU Sustainable and Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian SteppeEU Steppe Climate Change Adaptation and Steppe Biodiversity MCC / MCA ESOC MongoliaEU CBC Romania - BulgariaCaspian Sea Environmental Programme ICZMBlack Sea Environmental Programme ICZM
Integrated Steppe ManagementSteppeBiodiversitygoeshandinhandwithsteppepastureproductivity.Thehighertheproductivitythe higherthebiodiversityandtheotherwayaround.Droughtisthelimitingfactorforproductvity.Management hasasevereinfluenceontheproductivity.Badmanagementcaneasilyreducetheproductivitywithafactor 3-5,orinotherwordsandecreaseof60-80%.Thisiscausedbybadgrasslandmanagementwhere vegetationistramped,reseedingprevented,notenoughgrassisleftforre-grow,etcInthiscasehigh productive perenial grasses are taken over by annual grasses and ruderal species.Alsoasresultofarablefarminglandisdegraded,mostlyasitshumusisburnedandwiththatthewater capacity and soil structure is spoiled.Inbothcasesextensivehusbandrycanbeaneconomicoptiontorestorethedegradedpastureandarable land and create an additional source of income.Torealisethisthefocusshouldbeonthemarketsectoraswhole.Aaddedvaluelinehastobecreatedor strenghtened.Extensivelivestockproductionandmeatmarketingaregoinghandinhand.Capacitybuilding andbringingproducersandconsumerstogehterarekeyprocessesinthere-useofdegradedlandand saving biodiversity.