Large Scale Grazing Systems (LSGS) in Greece

Large scale grazing systems (LSGS) are large areas with common characteristics as far as the natural environment and animal husbandry are concerned and have derived from the interaction of man and nature. They include a large number of rare landscapes and important ecosystems with high biodiversity and offer opportunities for recreation and tourism. In the LSGS, small groups of people survive under harsh environmental and social conditions, preserving the landscape and the ecosystems. In these systems a plethora of pastoral products is produced, most of which are of high nutritive value. Ten LSGS have been identified in Greece, which belong to three biogeographical zones: a) Mediterranean Mountains (North Pindus, South Pindus, North Peloponnesus), b) Mediterranean North (Thrace, Central Macedonia) and c) Mediterranean South. The last one is divided to the mainland sector (Western Epirus, Eastern Thessaly, Southeast Peloponnesus) and the island sector (Central Crete, Dodecannisa). In each of these LSGS the main vegetation types related to animal husbandry are mentioned and the grazing systems in the past and today are described. The purpose of the research is to study the interactions between animal husbandry and plant biodiversity as well as the diachronic evolution of these systems.