EN
Since the 70s of 20th century the IT-P Research Station at Jaworki carried out works aimed at environmentally friendly utilisation of mountain pastures used for grazing large herds of livestock, especially sheep. Tasks were implemented under conditions of strict production research, taking into account various organizational and economical aspects. One of them was progressively restrictive use of expensive mineral fertilizers, and instead a careful spreading of manure on the surface of pastures. Depending on the floristic composition of sward, there was determined sheep population in the pen, where animals spent their nights. The enclosure was systematically transferred. At the same time the stocking density also gradually increased. Yielding changes of pasture sward were expressed as mean of individual, so called, penning rotations, which varied from 6 to 3 grazing seasons. The floristic composition of sward in selected years are presented, taking into account two altitude zones of pastures above sea level and the division into groups of vegetation. The variability of sward quality is rated by means of Utility Value Number (UVN). Basing on years of research it can be concluded that low cost pasture management in mountain areas can be both economically and ecologically proved.