Application of the in inventory program of rangelands in the Epirus region and its usefulness in the grazing management

The rangelands of Epirus cover more than 50% of the total area. The rational management of these area presupposes their inventory and classification in several categories, in order to determine their productive potential. The areas which were included in the research were the following: abandoned farms for more than five years, grasslands with woody species no more than 10% of the plant cover; evergreen sclerophyllous and deciduous shrublands with shrubs no more than 5 m high; and partially forested areas with crown cover less than 40% and timber stock less than 1003/ha. Each inventory unit was classified into types of range vegetation and was evaluated for its surface area. The information collected includes surface areas, vegetation type, site class, range condition and altitudinal distribution. The results of the inventory of the rangelands in Epirus show that the largest proportion of the rangelands have fair range condition and are distributed in the high (>800 m) zone. It is concluded that the G.I.S. are useful for inventorying and classifying rangelands so that their sustained management and efficient environmental conservation is ensured.