The 24th European Grassland Federation Symposium
"Traditional grasslands between abandonment and intensification"
Iași, Romania • 6 - 8 September 2027

The Romanian Grassland Society is pleased to invite you to the 24th European Grassland Federation Symposium that will be held from 06-08 September 2027 in Iasi, Romania.
The subject of the symposium is traditional grasslands between abandonment and intensification.

Traditional grasslands are ecosystems shaped and maintained mainly by long-term human activity, used for extensive grazing by domestic herbivores and mowing, without the application of mineral fertilizers or intensive agricultural work. They are characterized by high biodiversity and fulfil an important socio-cultural and historical role, many of these agricultural landscapes having been shaped over several centuries. In addition to their biological and agronomic value, traditional grasslands provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, protection of soil against erosion, maintenance of natural fertility, provision of refuges for pollinators and other organisms, and confer a high aesthetic value on the rural landscape. Historically, natural and semi-natural grasslands used in traditional extensive management systems were widespread across Europe.

Currently, many of these traditional grasslands are included in the Natura 2000 network and other categories of protected areas of Community or national importance, and are the subject of European programs that promote their conservation, restoration, and maintenance through traditional grazing and mowing with light machinery or manually. However, abandoning traditional use leads to the establishment of woody vegetation (e.g., blackthorn, rosehip, hawthorn etc.), and within 10–30 years these lose their specific functions and characteristic biodiversity, being gradually replaced by scrub and forest ecosystems.

Traditional grassland areas have declined significantly in recent decades, particularly in Western and Central Europe, as a result of intensified agriculture (high-dose fertilization, conversion to arable land, partial or total replacement of native species), abandonment of traditional practices (grazing and mowing), rural depopulation, migration to urban areas, and natural succession in the absence of management.

In the broad context of grassland multifunctionality, it is necessary to identify sustainable solutions that balance productivity, biodiversity, and other functions, requiring the adaptation of management strategies to local and regional conditions.

The EGF Symposium 2027 will cover various topics that refer to causes that may influence to a certain extent the increase in the degree of abandonment of traditional grasslands, starting from agricultural policies, the decrease in interest in animal husbandry in certain regions, the aging of the active population in agriculture, climate change, etc.
This symposium will also address topics that highlight how these traditional grasslands can be intensified, so as to contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas.

The information you need for the EGF Symposium 2027 on traditional grasslands between abandonment and intensification can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

Scientific Information: Includes details of the conference committees, themes, programme, and guidelines for authors and presentations.

General Information: Includes details of the mid- and post-symposium tours, the accompanying delegate programme and the symposium dinner.

Visit this page to register for the symposium and/or to book on to the post symposium tour.

Venue: Information about the symposium venue (Iasi University of life sciences)

Travel information: Details of how to get to the venue and accommodation options

Partners: How to get involved with EGF 2027 as a sponsor