Transhumant Sheep Grazing Enhances Ecosystem Multifunctionality in Productive Mountain Grasslands: A Case Study in the Cantabrian Mountains

Understanding the effects of traditional livestock grazing abandonment on ability mountain grasslands to sustain multiple ecosystem functions (ecosystem multifunctionality; EMF) is crucial for implementing policies that promote conservation and delivery services. In this study, we evaluated effect short- long-term transhumant sheep EMF through a exclusion experiment in grassland Cantabrian Mountains range (NW Spain), where flocks graze summer. We considered four key functions, derived from vegetation soil functional indicators measured field: (A) biodiversity function, total plant species evenness, diversity richness indicators; (B) forage production cover perennial annual herbaceous (C) carbon sequestration woody organic (D) fertility NH4 + -N, NO3 – P K content soil. The index was calculated by integrating standardized an averaging approach. Based linear mixed modeling found induced significant shifts individual also EMF. Long-term significantly hindered but enhanced function. Conversely, function negatively affected both exclusion. Altogether, decreased overall EMF, especially areas, while decline short-term exclusions with respect grazed areas marginally significant. results study support sustainability transhumance promoting their regions.