LIFE ON EUROPEAN GRASSLANDS

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Permanent Grasslands of Europe

Permanent grasslands are an important and integral part of European landscapes. They cover 34% of the agricultural area in the European Union and around 60 million hectares in total. The photos in this book represent the culmination of a specific activity within the Horizon 2020 SUPER-G project to investigate the cultural value of permanent grasslands in Europe. We were interested in people’s perception of how permanent grasslands are used and appreciated, and of the threats to which they are exposed.

With this in mind, the “SUPER-G Photo Competition” on European permanent grasslands was launched in 2019. We invited people across Europe to send in photos connected to permanent grasslands such as meadows, pastures or any other grassland types related to one of five topics:
1. WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY;
2. CULTURAL VALUES;
3. FARMLANDS;
4. OUTDOOR RECREATION;
5. RISKS AND THREATS.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

A selection of habitats such as wild flower meadows and mountain pastures,
as well as individual flowers, insects, mammals and birds in their natural environment.

Cultural Values

Photos that illustrate the history, heritage and beauty that permanent grasslands provide, including archaeological features and also traditional practices and festivals.

Farmlands

Wide variety of agricultural grassland perspectives, features, activities and landscapes from haystacks in the Durmitor region of Montenegro to grass silage being chopped for a 600-cow dairy herd in Northern Ireland.

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreation shows how people (and animals) of all ages appreciate the open space, natural environment and physical activity combined with magnificent views that grasslands provide.

Risks and Threats

Illustrates how permanent grasslands can be degraded through erosion and intensive agricultural or industrial activities, or lost to other land uses such as towns, cultivated agricultural land or woodland.

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