Appropriate agricultural management practices required to ensure conservation and biodiversity of environmentally sensitive grassland sites designated under Natura 2000

Designation of grassland sites in the Natura 2000 Network, in application of the Habitats and Birds Directives requires the definition of appropriate management practices, in order to ensure their conservation in a favorable status. Such grasslands present very diverse ecological and agricultural features, even at a local level, as shown by the example from the Lorraine region (France). In most cases, the fertilizer input has to stay very low. The type (cutting or grazing regime or mixed) and intensity level of management will have a determining role on the evolution of these habitats and on their biodiversity. In some cases, management can lead to conflicting effects on different species or communities protected by these Directives. It is then necessary to designate priority target species or communities. In France, surveys are being carried out by experts to determine, for each habitat type and each species of the Habitats and Birds Directives, the management practices required to ensure their conservation in a favorable status.