In the context of global warming, growing doubt surrounds the sustainability of wood-pastures in the Fribourg Prealps. The spruce groves typical of pre-alpine landscapes are dying out, while livestock need shade more than ever. Thanks to the ‘Upswing for birds’ project, two mountain pastures in Haut-Intyamon are among the first in the canton where measures have been implemented to try and remedy this problem, all while promoting biodiversity as much as possible.
©
© Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut
View over the pasture.
©
© Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut
Over time, the trees will provide welcome shade for the livestock.
©
© Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut
Around twenty high-stem fruit trees and twenty native deciduous trees are planted on the pasture.
©
© Arnaud Barras
Before the beginnig of the project, structures were missing.
©
© Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut
©
© Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut
©
© Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut
©
© Arnaud Barras
View over the pasture.
Over time, the trees will provide welcome shade for the livestock.
Around twenty high-stem fruit trees and twenty native deciduous trees are planted on the pasture.
Before the beginnig of the project, structures were missing.
Creation of an extensive wood-pasture in the Intyamon FR
A pilot project in the heart of Gruyère
Domain
Conservation
Unit
Upswing for Birds
Topics
Species Recovery, Habitat Promotion
Habitat
meadows and pastures
Project start
2024
Project completion
2033
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Julia Wildi
Project region
Fribourg
Details
Project objectives
The aim of the project is to achieve a good balance between grassland, thorny bushes, small structures and isolated or loosely grouped trees on the pasture, which will then be exploited extensively over the long term. Natural regeneration is encouraged, and several islands of deciduous trees have been planted, as they are more resistant to heat than their coniferous cousins. This is to ensure that they do not suffer the same fate as the spruce groves that are gradually disappearing with each new summer drought.
Methodology
In early 2023, one of the landowners of the plots contacted the Swiss Ornithological Institute with the wish to promote biodiversity on their land. The Parc Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut then took over the coordination and monitoring of the project, which is financially supported by the Parc, the Swiss Ornithological Institute and the Forest and Nature Service of the Canton of Fribourg. The first measures were taken at the end of 2023, and their implementation will continue until autumn 2025.
Significance
Results
Given the urgent need for action to preserve the wood-pastures of the Prealps, it will be crucial to monitor the effects of the measures undertaken so that they can, if necessary, be adapted as quickly as possible. To achieve this, the Swiss Ornithological Institute will monitor the pasture’s breeding bird population in the years following the implementation of the measures.
Project partner(s)
- Parc Naturel Régional Gruyères Pays-d'Enhaut
- Service des forêts et de la nature du Canton de Fribourg (SFN)
- Les propriétaires et exploitants des alpages
Financial support
- Service des forêts et de la nature du Canton de Fribourg (SFN)
- Parc Naturel Régional Gruyères Pays-d'Enhaut
Employees
Species concerned
Unit
Upswing for Birds
Together with partners, we carry out projects to enhance and secure habitats throughout Switzerland in the long term.
