Authors: Öllerer, Kinga; Molnár, Zsolt;Demeter, László;Dénes, Andrea;Varga, Anna;Fehér, Alexander;Kiš, Alen;Szabados, Klára;Biró, Marianna;

Forests have been grazed by livestock for centuries and there is an increasing recognition that, if done considerately, this incriminated activity can benefit forest management and biodiversity, maintaining a cultural practice providing benefits for local communities. We reviewed both current scientific literature (Web of Science) and historical traditional knowledge (Carpathian Basin, prior to mid-20th century) in order to assess the contemporary relevance of traditional silvopastoral practices to biodiversity management. We identified 71 recent, and over
160 relevant historical publications. Over 900 historical records present the practice of forest grazing, including cattle and sheep used for weed control in plantations, facilitating regeneration of target tree species. Pigs were used to prepare the soil for acorns, favouring oak regeneration. Reported effects varied greatly depending on forest type and stocking levels, livestock species and age, availability of alternative forage, grazing season, herder precaution and other activities taking place in the forest. Effects relevant from a conservation perspective include increased patchiness and habitat diversity resulting from a reduction in the cover of monodominant shrubs and pioneer vegetation, leading to an increased diversity of herbaceous vegetation. We urge the use of historical literature as a complementary source for developing tradition-based innovative conservation management methods.