Long term effects of livestock grazing on plant diversity in sub-alpine grasslands

The long term effects of grazing on plant diversity were studied in five sub-alpine grasslands on mountainous regions of Central Pindos (Mpountoura, Koziakas) and on mountains Olympus and Othrys. These grasslands were under various grazing conditions for a long span of time. Ground cover, species composition, species richness and evenness were measured. Shannon-Wiener and similarity indexes were calculated. Results indicated that intensive grazing by three different animal species, favoured the grassland species diversity and especially the perennial grasses and the perennial forbs plant groups.