Abstract
In the Alpine region, the use of herd protection measures is assumed to not be reasonable in many places due to geographical, technical and economic limitations. In line with EU regulations, securing compensation for livestock damage or losses necessitates evidence of the feasibility of these measures. The aim of this study was to establish a scientifically validated classification framework for assessing the viability of employing herd protection measures (livestock guarding fences and guarding dog utilization) in alpine pastures. To achieve this, five representative Alps in the Italian alpine province of South Tyrol were considered using a devised classification framework and geospatial data. The resultant outcomes were validated through on-site inspections. Six categories were identified for the use of livestock guarding fences (proximity to roads, herding situation, topography, tourism, pasture geometry and proportion of not fencable area) and, in addition to these, two categories (herd homogeneity and number of herded livestock) for the use of livestock guarding dog utilization. The validation showed that the basic assumptions are plausible, but that the geodata partly show inaccuracies in the demarcation of hazard zones, hiking trails and pasture geometry. Despite these limitations, the developed classification framework was suitable for classifying the practicability of herd protection measures on alpine pastures. Therefore, it provides the necessary factual basis and logical reasoning for legally secure compensation payments. Additionally, our classification framework sets the stage for considering strategic predator management approaches.