Research for sustainable development: the case study of grassland ecosystems in the Central Apennines

In the Central Apennines, sheep are the most commonly raised species in semi-extensive farming systems, relying on natural or semi-natural pastures. However, the increasing summer aridity caused by climate change reduces the pastoral value of these grasslands, threatening the biodiversity that grazing helps to maintain. To compensate the related negative effects, we explored the possible benefits of providing supplemental feed to sheep during the summer late spring–early autumn grazing period. A flock of 45 adult female sheep (25 dried and 20 lactating animals) Comisana x Appenninica were free to graze from June until pasture maximum flowering. From this period to pasture maximum dryness, in addition to grazing, the experimental group was supplemented with 600 g/day/head of cereals. With a multidisciplinary approach, integrating anatomy and physiology, we evaluated Body Condition Score, various circulating metabolic hormones concentration, nutritional characteristic of milk and cheese, rumen epithelium keratinization degree, the presence of different adipokines in mammary gland, gastrointestinal and reproductive apparatus. Our findings demonstrate that nutritional supplementation has safeguarded ewes from the typical decline in body condition associated with lactation and has ensured sustained milk production, thereby enhancing the overall physiological and metabolic condition of the animals, which is crucial at the onset of the breeding season. In addition, attempting to buffer the negative effect of increasing drouth stress, we performed analyses on consumer preference and willing to pay the cheese, in order to enhance the farm income. Customizing educational programs to highlight local products and biodiversity-conscious agricultural methods can enhance the connection between producers and consumers, fostering a generation of informed citizens who appreciate and promote sustainable consumption. To reach this scope, an educational activity, involving 252 students, to sensitize children on biodiversity, animal welfare and social utility of research was performed. Sustainable development in mountain areas requires a balance between environmental, economic, and social factors. Without this balance, pasture abandonment becomes a major risk.