Background Most of the Basque Country is considered as “disfavoured and mountain agriculture area”, according to European Directive 75/268/CEE. In these mountain areas, the primary activity has been conditioned by the strict limitations of the physical environment. The economy is closely related to very traditional farming activities based on transhumance - the movement of livestock to higher pastures in summer and to lower valleys in winter. The socio-economic importance of the grazing areas is enhanced by the inclusion of many of these habitats, including mountain grasslands, Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands and European dry heaths, in Natura 2000 network sites. Of these sites, the Gorbeia Natural Park and its vicinity is especially important because of its diversity of grazing habitats and consolidated livestock activity. Management of these habitats has been mainly based on traditional approaches using visible parameters, especially levels and types of vegetation. However, this is not the best way to manage for the optimal conservation of soil biodiversity. New methodologies for more efficient management of mountainous areas are possible. Objectives The main objective of the SOIL-Montana project was to demonstrate the viability of an innovative methodology for the conservation of soil and vegetation biodiversity in mountain and bottom valley grazing areas, based on the application of Agroecosystems’ Health Cards. In addition to traditional physio-chemical indicators of soil quality, these also included microbiological indicators to provide reference values in terms of soil diversity for the first time, to obtain an integral diagnosis of the health of grazing agroecosystems. Results The SOIL-Montana project demonstrated the feasibility of an innovative methodology for the conservation of biodiversity, in the soil biota and surface vegetation of mountain and valley bottom pastures, in the Gorbeia National Park and its surroundings. This involved the application of a system of Agroecosystem Health Cards. Within the project framework, coordinating beneficiary NEIKER identified the soil microbial diversity (at species level) of the Atlantic grasslands of the Iberian Peninsula; a pioneering study developed through pyrosequencing analysis. Other activities were achieved through close collaboration between NEIKER and the other project partners: Basque Government and Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Lorra Cooperative, and farmer associations in Orozko and Zeanury. The project began with the design and establishment of a georeferenced environmental network, to compile information on the diversity of the most representative pasture areas and farms, for both ecological factors (e.g. vegetation type, altitude, geology) and factors linked to livestock management (e.g. livestock density, animals breeds). This fed into the design of the Agroecosystems’ Health Cards (TSA), a manual produced by the project to explain in a simple and practical way how to make assessments of the health status of different pastoral ecosystems. This facilitates two types of diagnosis: a basic health diagnosis, based on the analysis of a range of indicators that can be measured and interpreted without the need for previous specific training, using simple measuring instruments and the TSA manual; and an advanced health diagnosis, based on the analysis of a range of ‘advanced’ indicators that require professional equipment and prior training. After these preparatory actions, the project conducted in situ conservation actions aimed at avoiding short-term biodiversity loss. Actions were implemented in 33 pasture areas, both for habitats in lowlands and mountains. Bushes were cleared over 40 ha, and ferns were controlled over 4 ha, comparing herbicide with mechanical brush cutting. Fertilisation was carried out in mountain habitats over 60 ha, with the application of organic phosphorus compared to non-application. In valley habitats, manure and mineral (NPK) fertiliser were assessed on 10 ha, while liming compared to non-application was done on 8 ha. The fencing of pastures (simulation grazing cessation) was done in 16 exclusions, four for each target lowland habitat. These farming practices were assessed using the innovative TSA and the indicators developed within the project framework, to identify impacts on soil and vegetation. NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) technology was used to obtain quick and cost-effective measurement of soil parameters. A thorough statistical analysis identified possible relationships between indicators of soil and vegetation health, with the main conclusions summarised in the Catalogue of Best Practices; available on the project website alongside the other material published by the project. Dissemination activities also included the use of noticeboards, posters, leaflets, video tutorials and promotional merchandise (e.g. USB memory sticks and pens). NEIKER organised three events (meeting and guided visits) to present the project to local and regional stakeholders, gave numerous talks aimed at different audiences, and networked with other projects and organisations working on related topics. Farming practices were conducted over 120 ha of pasture land, included 100 ha in habitats of Community interest, contributing to the implementation of the Habitats Directive. These practices helped preserve agroecosystems and their biodiversity. In mountain areas. The project verified the viability of the herbicide Asulox to control the expansion of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum); in valley bottoms, fertilisation with manure was shown to enable similar production to that obtained with mineral fertilisation; while liming had a positive impact on species with high forage value, such as Lolium perenne. The TSA enabled managers of agroecosystems, even without training, to take decisions about what farming practices should be boosted, based on objective criteria. This results in enhanced sustainability on their farms, both in environmental and socio-economic terms (soils in good health produce greater amounts of good-quality pasture). The project demonstrated that this tool could be a useful instrument at European level, for example, to guide the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy. The TSA is already being used for grassland management of the Armañón Natural Park (managed by the Provincial Government of Bizkaia). The TSA system can in practice be applied to any agroecosystem. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).