Grassland conservations status and bioeconomy

The partner event ‘Grassland conservation status and bioeconomy’ is a one-day scientific and technical workshop that explores how conserving European grasslands can go hand in hand with a sustainable rural bioeconomy. It brings together academics, public administrations, NGOs and land managers to discuss the state of pastures, their biodiversity value and their role in climate mitigation through carbon sequestration.

The workshop focuses on the conservation status of natural and semi-natural pastures across different biogeographic regions, with particular attention to habitats of Community Interest within the Natura 2000 network in Castilla y León. It aims to assess the current ecological condition of these ecosystems, identify the main pressures and threats they face and highlight how extensive livestock systems and grazing practices can contribute to carbon absorption and broader climate goals. It also looks at how territorial management approaches, transhumance and supportive policy tools can strengthen both biodiversity conservation and rural bioeconomy development.

The discussion is designed for researchers, students, environmental NGOs, technical staff from regional and local administrations, farmers’ and shepherds’ associations, and other stakeholders engaged in nature conservation, climate policy and sustainable land use.

The day takes place in person and runs from 09:30 to 14:00, combining short expert presentations with open discussion and time for informal exchange during a coffee break.

Contributions include an overview of pasture conservation status across different biogeographic regions presented by Aida López (UCAV), an examination of habitats of Community Interest in the Natura 2000 network of Castilla y León with a focus on natural and semi-natural grassy formations by Nicolás González (Junta de Castilla y León), an analysis of conservation challenges in highland Pyrenean grasslands by Yolanda Pueyo (IPE-CSIC), insights into carbon absorption through grazing and methods for calculating carbon uptake in extensive livestock systems by Jorge Mongil and Patricia T. Espinosa (UCAV), and reflections on territorial management, pasture conservation and the role of transhumance and pastoral practices presented by Manuel M. Pérez and Kent Ruiz from Generandi and the Monte Mediterráneo Foundation.