Land-use changes and natural reforestation in the Eastern Central Alps

摘要: Abstract In modern agriculture, only the cultivation of highly productive and easily accessible slopes remains profitable. As a consequence, inaccessible steep areas are being increasingly abandoned. this paper, mechanisms natural reforestation abandoned examined on three levels as prelude to determine rates. The study sites selected municipality level (1:25,000) situated in four agrarian structure regions Alps: ‘Innsbruck Land’, ‘Sudtiroler Berggebiet’, ‘Unterland/Uberetsch’ ‘Carnia’. For more detailed data, studies case area (1:5000) plot (permanent plots) were carried out St. Leonhard Passeier (‘Sudtiroler South Tyrol, Italy). Data collected through analysis historic photographic material well by field work. Significant explanatory variables determined using count data models. A zero-inflated negative binomial model was employed analysing tool. Key findings are: (1) past 150 years, all analysed regions. Between 8 67% formerly used now abandoned, majority these areas, forest re-growth is observed. (2) Seed dispersal agricultural use most important influencing reforestation. nearer an old trees, higher rate. Grazing mowing reduce (3) less intensively land longer tree density is. Whereby, average sapling significantly mixture communities than grasslands or dwarf shrub communities. However, snow gliding avalanches cause damage trees that retard hinder growth.