16th EGF Symposium 2011

EGF2011 was a big success. More than 200 delegates from 30 different countries attended the 16^th EGF symposium, which was held 28-31 August 2011 at AREC Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Austria.

The Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein (AREC) offered ideal conditions, and the organisers created a fantastic environment for a successful conference. The atmosphere and surroundings were unique. But above all very competent experts were responsible for the organization and execution of the event. Congratulations and thank you Karl Buchgraber, Erich Poetsch and Bernhard Krautzer and the whole team for the great success and for the warm hospitality.

Mountainous areas make up 30 % of Europe's total land area. Apart from forests, natural and managed grasslands are the dominating vegetation in these areas. In terms of the production function mountain grasslands are often characterised as disadvantaged land areas. But in terms of landscape and ecosystem services, mountainous grasslands are a valuable resource for society. However production as well as the other functions are threatened by the consequences of economic pressure on farmers, inadequate farm structure, globalisation of markets and processes like climate change, intensification and land abandonment.

The conference Summary by Prof. Dr Johannes Isselstein can be downloaded below.