Permanent grasslands and ecosystem services under moderate management

Permanent grasslands in the EU deliver vital ecosystem services like biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and water quality when managed at moderate intensity. In the White Carpathians, low to moderate management supports plant diversity, soil protection, and forage production. Climate change and policy constraints, such as fertilizer bans during droughts, threaten these benefits. Agri-environment schemes incentivize sustainable practices, but low uptake persists due to perceived productivity losses and increased labor. Effective, region-specific strategies are needed to balance productivity and ecosystem service delivery.