Abstract
Forest pasture is currently seen as a land use option for the aims of species and habitat conservation, revitalization of regional development, and preservation of cultural landscapes. Forest pasture is one of the oldest agricultural land-use types in Central Europe. Using Trudner Horn Nature Park as a case study (in the Province of South Tyrol (N Italy) in the Southern Alps), we conducted semi-structured interviews with local farmers and with institutional representatives to investigate the potentials as well as limitations of forest pasture. We found a positive attitude towards the re-introduction of forest pasture among both the land users and the institutional representatives, in particular the concerned forest authorities. Positive aspects revealed are the relation to traditional land use as well as the support of nature conservation and tourism. However, one of the most important limitations of this land-use option is the lack of farmers due to migration, and thus the lack of grazing animals in our study area.