Soil compaction, management and farmer awareness in permanent mountain grasslands in Carinthia (Austria)

Soil compaction is a key land degradation process that affects soil structure, infiltration, runoff generation, and soil stability, thereby influencing erosion processes and soil conservation outcomes. While compaction has been extensively studied in arable systems, permanent grasslands, particularly in mountain regions, remain comparatively understudied despite their relevance for erosion control and sustainable land management. This contribution addresses soil compaction in permanent grasslands in Carinthia (southern Austria) using a multi-dimensional approach that integrates soil physical indicators with land manager perspectives.

Field investigations were conducted between 2022 and 2024 across intensively and extensively managed meadows and pastures, including a reference site. A set of soil physical indicators was applied to capture compaction-related changes in soil structure and hydrological functioning relevant to erosion and land degradation processes. In parallel, a structured survey with local farmers was carried out to examine awareness of soil compaction, perceived drivers, and management responses.

The study adopts an interdisciplinary perspective to explore how physical soil degradation processes and human decision-making interact in permanent grassland systems. By combining field-based assessments with stakeholder knowledge, this contribution aims to support improved monitoring approaches and inform conservation-oriented management strategies in the future. The work is positioned within current European soil protection and land degradation frameworks and contributes to ongoing discussions on how process understanding can be translated into practical guidance for farmers, land managers, and policy makers.