Indicators for Alpine Pastures Multifunctional Use : The Case of Estates of the Regional Agricultural and Forestry Services Board of Lombardy

18 Alpine pastures (AP), in the alpine provinces of Lombardy managed by ERSAF (Regional Agricultural and Forestry Services Board of the Lombardy Region) were investigated to understand how to plan their future. In order to assess their potential multifunctional use three macro functions were considered: 1) agricultural economy (dairy and meat products and agritourism services); 2) leisure and education (direct use of the land); 3) public goods conservation and production (rural heritage, social values, landscape and nature). For each macro function several aspects (three to four) were identified. They were evaluated through operational criteria (three to nine) based on quantitative or qualitative estimates, the former based on linear measures the latter on synthetic evaluations by a panel of experts. By summing up operational criteria scores and applying weighting coefficients an index was calculated for each pasture aspect. These indicators were then used for statistical analysis. Clusters and principal components analysis grouped the pastures into categories suitable for various functions (agritourism and/or agricultural production, ecotourism). Furthermore they highlighted weaknesses and opportunities of individual estates. Results show that multifunctional use indicators could help the management planning of AP pertaining to public land.