UN MODELLO PER LA VALUTAZIONE DELLA MULTIFUNZIONALITÀ DELL¿ATTIVITÀ ALPESTRE (MULTIALP)

A model for the evaluation of the multifunctionality of the alpine pastures (MULTIALP) Abstract Alpine pastures continually decreases in years, despite is recognized to it several intrinsic positivities of great importance for the entire community. The model MULTIALP (model for the evaluation of the multifunctionality of the Alpine Pastures) is aimed to analyze the multifunctional aspects of the alpine pastoralism. This is done using three Macro functions: Production, Ecological and Touristic-social-cultural ones, defined by a series of indexes and components (properly weighed). The observed sample consisting mainly of alpine pastures laying in the alpine area of Lombardy, especially in the district of the Camonica Valley (province of Brescia) and in the bordering provinces of Sondrio and Bergamo. With the goal to expanding the model to other situations, pastures (of which we had enough informations) of the district of Cesen, between the provinces of Treviso and Belluno in the Region of Veneto, were also sampled. The used method involved a long and complex phase of harvest and classification of the information, also using GIS software (Arcgis). Later, pastures have been classified by the values of the three macro-functions and the stability of the ranking was tested using the sensitivity analysis. The clustering of the pastures defined homogeneous groups where similar practices of improvement apply, according to the multifunctionality. For the whole sample conflicting situations have emerged. Lacks in the touristic-social and historical aspects have been more frequently, while the productive aspect results the most favorable. This should be in relation with the structural and infrastructural investments made in recent decades, mainly aimed at improving living conditions for staff and animals.