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Effects of Ski-Resort Activities and Transhumance Livestock Grazing on Rangeland Ecosystems of Mountain Zireia, Southern Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Apostolos P. Kyriazopoulos

    (Laboratory of Range Science, Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece)

  • Maria Karatassiou

    (Laboratory of Rangeland Ecology (P.O 286), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Zoi M. Parissi

    (Laboratory of Range Science (P.O 236), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Eleni M. Abraham

    (Laboratory of Range Science (P.O 236), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Paraskevi Sklavou

    (Laboratory of Range Science (P.O 236), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the impacts in time of the ski-resort infrastructure and transhumance livestock grazing on floristic composition, diversity, and rangeland health indices related to ecosystem stability and function. The study was carried out at a site under the pressure of ski resorts and livestock grazing (Ano Trikala) and a site only under the pressure of livestock grazing (Sarantapicho), both located at Mt Zireia, Southern Greece. The plant cover was measured at each site, and the floristic composition was calculated and classified into four functional groups: grasses, legumes, forbs, and woody species. Species richness, ecosystem function and stability landscape indices, diversity indices, and forage value were calculated. According to the results, the development of the ski resort in Ano Trikala had a neglectable negative impact on plant cover (reduced by 5%), while it had a minor impact on species richness and floristic diversity. Livestock grazing had a positive impact on maintaining plant cover in high values. These results suggest that livestock grazing can counterbalance the effects of ski resorts and related activities on plant cover and floristic diversity. Besides the relatively limited effects on the vegetation community, the ski resort significantly negatively impacted landscape composition, function, and stability. Forage value was 25% lower close to the ski resort, mainly due to the significantly lower percentage of legumes. Transhumance livestock grazing should be used as a management tool in ski-resort areas, as it benefits floristic diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Apostolos P. Kyriazopoulos & Maria Karatassiou & Zoi M. Parissi & Eleni M. Abraham & Paraskevi Sklavou, 2022. "Effects of Ski-Resort Activities and Transhumance Livestock Grazing on Rangeland Ecosystems of Mountain Zireia, Southern Greece," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:9:p:1462-:d:904810
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stamatia Nasiakou & Michael Vrahnakis & Dimitrios Chouvardas & Georgios Mamanis & Vassiliki Kleftoyanni, 2022. "Land Use Changes for Investments in Silvoarable Agriculture Projected by the CLUE-S Spatio-Temporal Model," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-23, April.
    2. Ileana Pătru-Stupariu & Constantina Alina Hossu & Simona Raluca Grădinaru & Andreea Nita & Mihai-Sorin Stupariu & Alina Huzui-Stoiculescu & Athanasios-Alexandru Gavrilidis, 2020. "A Review of Changes in Mountain Land Use and Ecosystem Services: From Theory to Practice," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Anna Sidiropoulou & Maria Karatassiou & Georgia Galidaki & Paraskevi Sklavou, 2015. "Landscape Pattern Changes in Response to Transhumance Abandonment on Mountain Vermio (North Greece)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-22, November.
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    1. Zoi M. Parissi & Apostolos P. Kyriazopoulos & Theodora Apostolia Drakopoulou & Georgios Korakis & Eleni M. Abraham, 2023. "Wildfire Effects on Rangeland Health in Three Thermo-Mediterranean Vegetation Types in a Small Islet of Eastern Aegean Sea," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, July.

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