Spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of orchard meadow loss in South Tyrol, Italy.

ABSTRACT: Orchard meadows, a specific agroforestry system characterised by scattered high-stem fruit trees, are a traditional element of several cultural landscapes in Central Europe and provide important ecosystem services. Since the middle of the 20th century, orchard meadows have drastically declined across Europe. Spatial information on the drivers and patterns of such a decline in several regions in Central Europe is lacking. In this study, we aimed to provide the first detailed insights into the development of orchard meadows in South Tyrol. We assessed the current distribution of orchard meadows in South Tyrol (Northern Italy) and analysed the patterns and drivers of their decline over the last 75 years. Aerial images of the orchard meadows in South Tyrol from the 1950s up to the 2020s were e

SUBMITTER: Schonafinger A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11680714 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature