The passerines of agroforestry systems in Greece
This study is based on the review of the existing literature and is an attempt to define the various passerine species (Passeriformes) encountered in Greek agroforestry systems, classified in the various habitats and the requirements to cover their basic biological needs for survival and reproduction. Furthermore there is reference to the problems of the protection and management of agroforestry systems due to maintain biodiversity. From the 138 species occur systematically in Greece, 102 use agroforestry systems at different times of the year, spreading from sea level to the sub-alpine zone and are distributed throughout Greece.
Investigation of habitat suitability for the reintroduction of red deer in Grammos
The spread of red deer in Greece has been limited in only two mountainous areas. The aim of this research was to investigate this possibility in the region of Grammos. The red deer behaviour as well as diet, habitats in the area, the preferable grazing areas and sheltering during the winter and summer period, was taking into account to create a qualitative Habitat Suitability Model with the use of Geographic Information Systems. A number of factors like natural vegetation and topography (elevation, slope, aspect) were combined to create to determine the areas with disturbance factors, food availability and topography (habitat suitability map). It was found that the most suitable habitat was oak forests with low woody cover (10-40%) where management practices that favour regeneration and a lot of herbaceous vegetation can be found in the forest floor.
A diachronic simulation model of the relationships between grazing and forage production in the rangelands of Lagadas county, Greece
This paper presents the development of a dynamic simulation model of grazing and forage biomass. The aim of the model is to find an ecological balance between livestock numbers and forage production in the Mediterranean rangelands. The model investigates whether management practices are leading to rangeland degradation due to overgrazing or under-grazing. The simulation relates the grazing pressure in with the availability of forage biomass by taking into account through differential equations, the precipitation, the plant decomposition rates, the animal consumption and the number of grazing animals caused by food availability. The model was applied in Lagadas County of northern Greece for a period of 140 years (1961 to 2100). The results of the model show that 140 to 150 sheep equivalent units per Km2 constitute a stocking rate that ensure a balanced utilization of forage biomass. Τhe evaluation of the current management of livestock, shows that the increasing use of supplementary feed, the soil erosion caused by overgrazing and the under-grazing of a large proportion of natural rangelands, prevents the maintenance of ecological balance over time.
Agroforestry ecosystems in the municipality of Karistos in S. Evia: Survey and Acceptance
Agroforestry is a sustainable land use system that increases total production, combines agricultural crops and forest plants and/or animals, simultaneously or sequentially, and applies management practices compatible to the cultural patterns of the local population. The recording of such systems is vital for their study, conservation, and further diffusion. This paper presents the results of a research on the agroforestry Ecosystems of the Karystos municipality in S. Evia, Greece. The results have shown that 24 % of the total agricultural area is composed of agroforestry systems. The land owners preserve them as a traditional land use and are satisfied by that use. The products, which can be classified as organic, mostly meet the owners’ family needs. Olive trees and sheep are present in most of the agroforestry systems. The results are encouraging for the future of these systems as, with the appropriate information and incentives, could further increase their acceptance by local farmers.
The discounting rate in terms of evaluating investments in rangelands
This paper aims at analyzing and evaluating investments in Rangeland Management through the tool of discount rate. The most important parameter which is considered when estimating the discount rate is the lifetime of the investment, which varies depending on the kind of the intervention. An undeniable characteristic of rangelands is their rich biodiversity. However the fact that there has not been recorded all the flora and fauna yet, suggests the need for using the lowest possible discount rate (but not zero), giving thus a high value on the benefits that will arise for future generations always in the light of sustainable development. At the same time, there has to be conducted a sensitivity analysis in order to determine the upper and lower limit of return on investment so that the in charge decision maker can be more flexible as far as his related to the investment proposal is concerned.
