Estimation of stocking density and management proposals for the rangelands of the wildfire – stricken Municipalities of Peloponnisos

The resent fires in Peloponnisos, during the summer period of 2007 besides being catastrophic to forests, they also had a significant impact on rangelands and livestock husbandry. After the destruction there was a need to inventory the grazing pressure and make recommendations for rehabilitation of burned rangelands. For these reason, the stocking rate was calculated in the grazed forest lands of the wildfire – stricken Municipalities with the use of GIS, statistical data and land cover/use information of the project Corine Land Cover 2000. The total area of rangelands was reduced by 22% after the wildfires with the largest reduction located in the prefectures of Ilia (46%). In all 6 prefectures, the stocking rate increased by 25% after the wildfires, with the highest values obtained in the prefecture of Ilia, Korinthia and Achaia. It was found that the majority of the burned shrubland and silvopastoral areas (54%) were distributed in soils derived from hard limestone. Based on these findings, the suspension of livestock grazing in calcareous and alluvial soils for about 2 years is suggested until the burned vegetation recovers and at least 3 years in the remaining soil types.