LAND MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP NATURALISTIC TOURISM

Integration of rural and urban economies might give solutions to land degradation and abandonment due to marginal productivity and organization complexity. The existence of complex agro-silvo-pastoral systems is contrary to high productivity, on the other hand it favors cultural uses of beautiful landscapes deriving from enhanced resource diversification. Management of land abandoned by agriculture is necessary to control soil erosion, wildfires, biodiversity reduction and excessive diffusion of cosmopolitan species. Unfortunately this management is often very expensive. Naturalistic tourism development might be an interesting monetary source from towns and can be reinvested in rural areas maintenance. A trial carried out in Tuscany (Central Italy) has investigated changes in forage availability and consumption occurred between 1990 and 2000 and the possibility of cheap management by low animal stocking rates and very limited mechanical interventions. Possible interventions to improve the existing tourist facilities are also discussed. Maintenance of current vegetation conditions resulted possible by minimal grazing and one mowing of residuals before summer. This kind of management resulted to favor tourist activities. Key words: land care, management of diversified resources, grazing