Grazing practices as a tool to create environmental and pastoral resources

ABSTRACT In the French marshland, lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) population decreased sharply during the last twenty years, in conjunction with the intensification of agricultural use of wet grasslands. Public policies now recognise that livestock production can promote environmental objectives. For the remaining wet grasslands, the .Natura 2000. EU regulation provides a statutory framework and incentives for their conservation, with a high priority on ornithological interests. Farmers have to provide concrete response, in order to generate new grazing practices fulfilling both environmental and productive goals. Since these grasslands are mostly privately owned and grazed by cattle, it is relevant to wonder if grazing management can direct sward cover states towards matching the habitat characteristics required by lapwings. First, we make review the habitat variables which are critical to this species. Second, we present methods used to monitor the impact of grazing on sward state during spring. Third, we assess sward structure created by the different grazing regimes in relation to the habitat requirements of lapwing. We finally tackle the questions raised by the conservation or creation of a multipurpose resource : ensuring both cattle feeding and bird habitat