Agrobiodiversity in the Alps: Establishment of a long-term monitoring system

The Alpine Region provides a unique environment for agrobiodiversity. Over the centuries, animals and plants have been developed by farmers to suit the very different landscapes of the Alps. Animals were bred for hardiness, fertility and sure-footedness. Plants were selected that could cope with the harsh conditions of the Alps: high altitude, intense sun and short vegetation periods. However, this did not lead to a homogenous “Alpine” agrobiodiversity, as each valley and region has its own breeds and varieties