Contribution to the knowledge of the flora of grassland ecosystems in the area of Lagadas Thessaloniki

Lagadas area is located about 30 km NE of the city of Thessaloniki. Grasslands occupy a large part of the semi mountainous – mountainous part of the area and constitute an important part of the watersheds of the lakes Koronia and Volvi. Lakes Koronia and Volvi comprise together a protected area of high importance (Ramsar area, National Park, NATURA 2000). The knowledge and recording of the flora of those grassland ecosystems, as well as the ecological characteristics of their plant species, are necessary primary data for the management of the area. The aim of the present study is to contribute to the knowledge of the plant species that occur in the flora of the grassland ecosystems of the area of Lagadas Thessaloniki as well as in the investigation of their ecological characteristics. The species list is presented and the type of grassland ecosystem that each species occurred in is indicated. Furthermore the growth form, the life cycle and the photosynthetic pathway of each species is also indicated. A total of 155 species were recorded belonging into 32 botanical families and 107 genera. Among the species there are annuals, biennials and perennials, while 6 basic growth forms are present. Within the grasses 4 species follow the C4 photosynthetic pathway. These results support the point that for the protection and preservation of the diversity aiming at a better ecosystem function, the existence and preservation of all the grassland vegetation types that constitute the landscape of the area is
necessary.