Evaluation of desertification risk in rangelands with the ESAI index
The aim of this study was to evaluate the desertification risk of rangelands in seven village communities of Lagadas county, northern Greece, with the use of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Geoinformation data were used in order to combine several layers of information involved in desertification for the formation of a GIS model. The latter is a modified approach of the methodology used for mapping Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs). It was found that the majority of the study area is in a critical stage in terms of desertification. The majority of rangelands are under intensive grazing activities. Overgrazing however contributes to the desertification risk in combination with physical parameters such as soil, vegetation and climate.
Laboratory of Rangeland Ecology (286), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece, e-mail: katydata@for.auth.gr
Keywords:Environmentally Sensitive Areas, soil, vegetation, climate, management
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Book:RANGE SCIENCE OF XEROTHERMIC AREAS - Proceedings of the 5th Panhellenic Rangeland Congress Heraclion of Crete, 1-3 November 2006 (Edited by: Vasillios P. Papanastasis, Zoi M. Parisi)
