Ecology and management of pseudoalpine rangelands

Pseudoalpine rangelands are the most typical grasslands of Greece. They are found above the timberline in the high mountains at an altitude ranging from 1200 to 2500 m. Although the dominant species are grasses, they do have a high plant diversity with several species being endemic or rare. The growing period starts in the spring, culminates at the beginning to the middle of summer and terminates during autumn. Forage production ranges between less than 1000 to more the 4000 kg/ha, and the growing period lasts for about 4 months during summer. The quality of forage is suitable for animal maintenance but less appropriate for reproduction and especially for milk production. The great problem of the pseudoalpine rangelands is their irrational grazing applied after the collapse of the traditional organized systems (tseligata). This problem has led to the gradual deterioration of their productivity coupled with cultural impoverishment resulting in the loss of the traditional pastoral civilization of high mountains.