Desertification by overgrazing in Greece: The case of Lesvos island

Arianoutsou-Faraggitaki, M.

doi:10.1016/s0140-1963(18)31325-9

Cited by 37 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This long history of grazing is exacerbated on most of the Greek islands, with large flocks of sheep and goat usually free to graze. But uncontrolled practices can lead to overgrazing and even to desertification, i.e., land degradation under arid and semi-arid climates (e.g., Arianoutsou-Faraggiraki, 1985;Papanastasis et al, 2002). Nevertheless, we must be cautious with the apparent past 'desertification' of the Mediterranean environments on larger islands.…”

Section: Main Current Vegetation Dynamics On Large and Medium Islandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Biogeography and Vegetation Patterns of the Mediterranean Islands

Mèdail

2021

Bot. Rev.

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With about 11,100 islands and islets of which ca. 250 are regularly inhabited by human, the Mediterranean Sea represents one of the regions of the world with the most islands and archipelagos. These numerous islands represent a significant component of the Mediterranean biodiversity, notably with the presence of range-restricted species and peculiar vegetation types. The aim of this review is to provide a balanced view of this highly diverse phytoecological heritage, but also taking into account the medium sized islands and the smaller ones that have not been highlighted so far. Mediterranean islands constitute both a museum for ancient lineages (paleoendemic taxa) and cradle for recent plant diversification. The complex historical biogeography (paleogeographical events of the Neogene, Messinian salinity crisis, climatic and eustatic changes of the Pleistocene, influence of glacial events) has profoundly influenced the current patterns of plant diversity. These insular landscapes were also precociously impacted by prehistoric man, possibly by Neanderthals. Among the 157 large Mediterranean islands (i.e. with a surface area exceeding 10 km 2 ), 49 have a surface greater than 100 km 2 .The main patterns anddynamics of vegetationon the largests islands (Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Croatian islands, Greek islands, Crete, Cyprus) are summarized. Then, the specific ecosystem functioning (disturbance, plant-animal interac-tions) and vegetation structures of the small Mediterranean islands (i.e. a surface area less than 10 km 2 or 1000 ha), are highlighted by evoking successively the small rocky islands, the volcanic ones, and the sandy and flat islands. Owing to their uniqueness and fragility, Mediterranean islands urgently need some integrated and ambitious conservation planning, aiming at the long-term preservation of their outstanding biotic and cultural heritage.

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Section: Main Current Vegetation Dynamics On Large and Medium Islandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Biogeography and Vegetation Patterns of the Mediterranean Islands

Mèdail

2021

Bot. Rev.

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“…Western Lesvos is a typical semi-arid Mediterranean area, facing socio-economic and environmental issues [36], leading to soil degradation and desertification [47]. According to estimations, large parts of the island are already degraded and under the process of desertification, including areas such as oak forests [40,48].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing Land Productivity, Floral Diversity, and Management in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Landscape

et al. 2022

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Most grazing lands in Mediterranean ecosystems that support extensive sheep farming systems are characterized by unfavorable edapho-climatic conditions, especially in semi-arid areas. Often, though, their use is far from sustainable, causing erosion and ecosystem degradation impacts. In this paper, we explore the use, productivity, and flora diversity of typical Mediterranean grazing lands in four farms at the Agra locality in the western part of Lesvos Island, Greece. For a period of two consecutive growing seasons (September to June), we recorded herbage biomass on 16 plots of grazing lands with three measurements per season of land cover and plant productivity (biomass) inside small exclosures (cages) protected from grazing. We recorded the species richness of herbaceous plant communities within and outside the cages at the end of every growing season, the period of maximum growth of herbaceous species. We also chemically analyzed the biomass for crude protein at the end of each season. Results show sizable productivity differences among pasture plots as well as seasons and an overall medium to high degree of productivity and species richness considering the relatively intensive grazing, with little differences over the different cages and the degree of grazing intensity. These results suggest that the “history” of the fields is important, as grazing lands that had been used for arable crops in the past, as well as those leveled and in favorable locations, were the most productive and diverse ones, while shallower soils and inclined grazing lands showed signs of overuse and degradation. Overall, though, these ecosystems showed a high degree of resilience despite their intensive use.

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“…Within severely degraded patches, the basal cover was sometimes <1% and the species present were predominantly low successional status annual and pioneer grasses. According to Arianoutsou et al (1985), in the absence of grazing pressure the plant cover was 30% trees, 10% tall shrubs and 25% sub-shrubs. Under high grazing pressure the plant cover was mainly low woody shrubs.…”

Section: Effects Of Overgrazing On Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overutilization of Pastures by Livestock

Czeglédi

Radácsi²

2021

Gyepgazdálk. közl.

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Soil degradation caused by overgrazing is a worldwide problem. The degradation of an overutilized area occurs mainly where animals prefer to spend extra time because of the attractants that are around gateways, water sources, along fences or farm buildings. High grazing pressure decreases plant density which results in changes of the botanical composition of a pasture. The effect that grazing has on a plant depends on the timing, frequency and intensity of grazing and its opportunity to regrow. Overgrazing adversely effects soil properties, which results in reduced infiltration, accelerated runoff and soil erosion. Evidence has been corroborated with high bulk density values, high dry mechanical resistance and low structural stability. The degradation of the landscape may be a short-term phenomenon and recovery is possible after grazing pressures have been greatly reduced. Management practices have been used successfully to improve grazing distribution. These practices include water development, placement of salt and supplements, fertilizer application, fencing, burning, and the planting of special forages which can be used to enhance grazing by livestock in underutilized areas.The authors carried out their grazing experiment on the Hortobágy. The effects of overutilization by livestock on soil properties and vegetation on certain areas of grassland are presented in this paper.

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Desertification by overgrazing in Greece: The case of Lesvos island

Cited by 37 publications

References 4 publications

Plant Biogeography and Vegetation Patterns of the Mediterranean Islands

Plant Biogeography and Vegetation Patterns of the Mediterranean Islands

Grazing Land Productivity, Floral Diversity, and Management in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Landscape

Overutilization of Pastures by Livestock

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