Nevertheless, the results obtained allowed us to interpret the meaning and the historical importance
of most toponyms containing bru¨sa´da. We were also able to find supporting evidence both
in historical documents and in proxy-archives such as lake sediments. In particular, it is evident
that the extended use of fire plays a potential important role in cleaning pastures and preventing
forest expansion in the Alps by reducing the present distribution of a fire-prone species such as
A. alba.