Abstract: The grazing activities of indigenous sheep of the greek breed »Serres« was investigated in a typical lowland, and in a mountainous pasture in northern Greece during the vegetative period (April-October) of 2008. Grazing time, resting and ruminating time, distance travel and air temperature in relation to pasturing month and altitude were examined. It was remarked significant effect (P<0.001) of the pasturing month on grazing time, and resting time of sheep. Mean grazing time was greater in the lowland (315.71 min/day ±4.57) than in the mountainous pasture (283.57 min/day ±4.79). On the contrary, the resting time and the distance travel of sheep were shorter in the lowland pasture. The resting time had significant (P<0.01) positive relationship to air temperature (r=0.777).
Abstract: Epirus is a mountainous area in northwest Greece. Most of the rangelands extended there are overgrazed and eroded. This study was performed in order to assess soil property variations along with the dominant plant communities, the altitudinal zone and their interaction in the Preveza Prefecture grasslands in Epirus. Forty-eight field sites, with a west-southwest aspect divided into three different altitudinal zones, representing the typical rangeland conditions of this area were selected. These rangelands, based on the dominant species, were grouped into six plant communities (Bromus - Hordeum, Festuca - Lotus, Asphodelus, Pteridium, Phlomis, and Quercus). Therefore, four representative soil samples from the surface layer were collected from each plant community area for the purposes of the experiment. Soil texture, organic matter, electrical conductivity, pH, active Ca, NO3-N, available P, exchangeable K, Cd, and Pb were analyzed and estimated. Soil texture showed significant differences among altitudinal zones, while soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, pH, active Ca, NO3-N, available P, exchangeable K, Cd, and Pb presented significant differences among plant communities. The results of this study showed that the soilâs physical and chemical properties are significantly affected by the altitudinal zone, although plant communities significantly affected mostly the soilâs chemical properties, indicating that each plant community created its own soil micro environmental conditions.
Abstract: The main aim of the agri-environmental programs of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture is the protection of the environment from livestock activity. All these programs contribute very much to the development of those regions with intense livestock activity and extensive rangelands. The stocking rate value constitutes a basic criterion for agri-environmental programs application. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of livestock agri-environmental program application in the Florina Prefecture which is based on the stocking rate value. The Florina Prefecture area is distinguished by low swatches of pastures (27.9% of its total area) and is grazed by 35,305.91 Animal Units. To achieve the optimum results, a statistical analysis of the pasturage right records (the animalsâ owners pay per animal unit) was undertaken in 90 Municipal Divisions of Prefecture over a period of three years (2004â2006), in relation and comparison with their class based on: a) administrative characters (Municipality to which they belong), b) geomorphological situation (N.S.S.G.) and c) suitability for development (Regulation EEC 268/75). The results of this study showed that the stocking rate value is influenced significantly by the ground characterization (N.S.S.G.) and by the Regulation (EEC) 268/75 characterization and that its price decreases significantly from the lowlands to the mountainous regions. Furthermore, it is negatively correlated to the rangeland extent, as the regions are characterized by the Regulation (EEC) 268/75 and the N.S.S.G. According to the stocking rate value, the application of âOrganic Farmingâ agri-environmental program in the 65 Municipal Divisions of Florina Prefecture is possible to take place. In the rest 25 regions, the stocking rate value is particularly high, which contributes in the decrease of the quantity and quality of the produced grazable matter.
Abstract: The main aim of the agri-environmental programs of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture is the protection of the environment from livestock activity. All these programs contribute very much to the development of those regions with intense livestock activity and extensive rangelands. The stocking rate value constitutes a basic criterion for agri-environmental programs application. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of livestock agri-environmental program application in the Preveza Prefecture which is based on the stocking rate value. The Preveza Prefecture area is distinguished by huge swatches of pastures (51.3% of its total area) and is grazed by 44,258.75 Animal Units. To achieve the optimum results, a statistical analysis of the pasturage right records (the animalsâ owners pay per animal unit) was undertaken in 70 Municipal Divisions of Prefecture over a period of four years (2002â2005), in relation and comparison with their class based on: a) administrative characters (Municipality to which they belong), b) geomorphological situation (N.S.S.G.) and c) suitability for development (Regulation EEC 268/75). The results at this study showed that the stocking rate value is influenced significantly by the ground characterization (N.S.S.G.) and that its price decreases significantly from the lowlands to the mountainous regions. Furthermore, it is negatively correlated to the rangeland extent, as the regions are characterized by the Regulation (EEC) 268/75 and the N.S.S.G. According to the stocking rate value, livestock agri-environmental programs have been deemed suitable for application in the semi - mountainous and mountainous as well as in the disadvantageous and mountainous regions of Preveza Prefecture. In the other regions, the stocking rate value is particularly high, which contributes to the decrease in quantity and quality of the produced grazable matter.
Abstract: The experiment was conducted in 2002, in the pasture located in the north-eastern part of Preveza Prefecture, West Greece. The area is characterized by intensive livestock production and great expanses of rangelands (72.7 % of the total area). The effect of month and altitude on aboveground biomass production and chemical composition (CP, ash, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin) was studied in herbage samples harvested from twelve experimental cages each month. In order to study the effects of cutting month, of grazable material and altitude in the production of aboveground biomass production of pasture and its chemical composition in crude protein, ash, NDF, ADF, cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin, twelve constant experimental cages 4 m x 5 m were established in representative regions,. The cages were separated in three groups: lower zone (0 â 500 m), middle zone (501 â 1000 m) and upper zone (over 1001m) â four cages at each zone. The experimental period had been from April till September. Sample collection was accomplished by cutting aboveground biomass at imitation of pasturage by small ruminants, receiving each time sample from six different points inside the cage to ensure homogeneity. Aboveground biomass production was higher in the lower zone than in the middle and upper zones. Crude protein and ash content decreased as the experimental period progressed whereas fibre fractions tended to get increased. Statistical analysis showed that harvest month and altitude significantly affected (P<0.001) biomass production, ash and crude protein content and fibre tractions concentration. Additionally, it was found that production was connected negatively (P<0.01) with altitude (r = -0.323), crude protein (r = -0.676) and ash content (r = -0.492), while it was connected positively (P<0.01) with NDF (r = +0.667), ADF (r = +0.609), hemicelluloses (r = +0.378), cellulose (r = +0.663) and lignin (r = +0.112) content. Stepwise multiple regression showed (r2 = 0.590) that there were considerable contributions made of crude protein, NDF content and altitude to aboveground biomass production, while the contribution of cellulose content was minimal in regression equations. Pastures of the lower zone were the most productive, followed by those in the middle and upper zone respectively. The highest production in the upper zone was observed on July. Although the upper zone pastures had the smaller aboveground biomass production, they excelled almost regularly against the other two zones in crude protein, NDF, ADF and lignin content. Therefore the movement of flocks from mid-spring till the end of October from lower to upper (mountainous) pasturelands seems to be equitable administrative practice as the pasturage quality is better at the mountainous areas than at the lower zones.
Abstract: In Epirus, northwestern Greece, rangelands comprise about 52% of its land surface and are extended mainly in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas. In these areas, animal production based on natural rangelands is considered to be the primary economic activity and forage is to be held as an important component for grazing animal diets. Its severe spatial pattern affects the prevailing climatic conditions but also combined with the soil properties leads to the creation of a âspatial rangeland mosaicâ consistent of the coexistence of range plant species with different nutritional value for farm animals. As a result the production and nutritive value of forages present a high spatial and temporal variability which affects animal performance.
The objective of this study was the determination of the seasonal and the altitudinal changes in the production and nutritional quality of grasslands, phrygana and kermes oak shrublands dominated in the Preveza Prefecture rangelands, northwest Greece and their potential representation in a GIS environment. This area is representative of the prevailing range types of Epirus (grasslands, phrygana and shrublands) presenting a gradual increase in the above sea altitude from 2 to 1640 m.
In order to evaluate the influence of both season and altitude on the production, chemical composition and nutritive value of forages, during the October of 2006, forty-five (45) experimental plots of 4 Ã 4 m2 each were fenced in order to avoid grazing. These plots were equally divided at three basic range types (grasslands, phrygana and shrublands) and furthermore at three altitudinal zones (lower: 0-500 m, middle: 501-1000 m, and upper: over 1001 m). The plots for each range type had a west-southwest aspect and were placed in certain areas presenting the same characteristics in order to be representative, uniform and all had exposure west - southwest.
In continuous during September 2006 three (3) automatic weather stations placed in order to record the climatic parameters such as "air temperature" and "rainfall.". The study involved the collection of herbage and browse samples along a grazing period (March to October) from above 45 experimental plots for two consecutive years (2007 and 2008). In consequence, browse samples were manually separated to leaves and twigs.
The forage samples (herbage, kermes oak leaves and twigs) were analyzed for crude protein, ether extract (EE), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), lignin (ADL), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD) and finally for mineral components such as Ca, P, K and Mg. Additionally, during March of 2007 four representative soil samples from the surface layer were collected from each plot in order to assess soil property variations along with the dominant range types and the altitudinal zone. Soil texture, organic matter, electrical conductivity, pH, active Ca, NO3-N, available P, exchangeable K, Cd, and Pb were analyzed and estimated.
Finally, sampling sites were identified using a high accuracy GPS device. All the data obtained from these measurements were entered into a database with geographical information (geodatabase). Then, to assess the production and nutritional quality of rangelands of each altitudinal zone and their spatial represantation, for each parameter investigated, the geostatistical method of Kriging tool Spatial Analyst and ArcGIS version 9.3 software of ESRI was used.
The results of this study showed that the climatic factors such as air temperature and precipitation significantly differ (P <0,05) among altitudinal zones creating by this way a special microclimate in every altitudinal zone with a distinctive differentiation between them, particularly between the lower and upper zone. The monthly rainfall value positively correlated (P <0,05) with altitude (r = 0,239) and negatively with the average monthly air temperature value (r =- 0,642), which furthermore is negatively correlated (P <0,05) with altitude (r =- 0,485).
Soil texture, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, active Ca, available P, exchangeable K, Cd, and Pb showed significant differences among altitudinal zones, while soil sand content, soil electrical conductivity, NO3-N, exchangeable K and Cd presented significant differences among range types. The results of this study showed that the soilâs physical and chemical properties are significantly affected by the altitudinal zone, although range types significantly affected mostly the soilâs chemical properties, indicating that each plant community created its own soil microenvironmental conditions.
After the 2 years of observation, we concluded that altitudinal zone strongly affected the production and the nutritive value of forages throughout a significant positive correlation between altitude, CP, in vitro DM and NDF digestibility and a negative one among altitude and cell wall content. The month of harvest strongly affected the production and nutritive value of forage components, firstly by giving a significant positive correlation among average monthly temperature, production, cell wall contents and secondly, a negative correlation among average monthly rainfall, IVDMD and lignin content.
Also, the kermes oak browse, especially the leaves, had CP content adequate to fulfil the nutrient requirements of grazing goats throughout the grazing period. However, this browse is characterized by a very low IVDMD during summer, which may be the result of high lignin content and the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as phenols and tannins. The kermes oak shrublands constitute an important alimentary source providing adequate amounts of browse in order to maintain the nutrient requirements for grazing goats during the summer, when the herbage is not desirable for consumption from sheep and cattle.
The results of the Kriging method for predicting the values of the seasonal dry matter production of each botanical component and the most important factors affecting the nutritional value showed an underestimation tendency towards the forecasting values with exception the values of the digestible energy contents during the summer, where the method overstates the forecast values.
Taking under consideration all the above it is concluded that in areas with natural alternations, such as the Epirus region, the altitudinal zone is an important factor affecting the production and nutritive value of forages of all range types. This effect seems to be implemented through the differentiation of the climatic conditions and the soil properties. Their interaction with grassland vegetation appoints the stage of development for all botanical components and therefore their nutritional value. Accordingly, the practice of moving the livestock from mid spring to late October from the lower altitudinal zone to upper one contributes to the rational use of the range resources and the sustainability of the range ecosystem.
In closure, an eco-compatible and sustainable development requires integrated management of all available information and the extraction of analytical evaluation on the impact of livestock activities, climatic variables such as precipitation and air temperature, topography and soil properties. From a management point of view, there is the need to diffuse forage production and nutrition quality information to producers accurately in time and space, because the above parameters are related to the very local situation. This is especially true today, due to the availability of new tools, as geographic information systems (GIS), which allow the management of an incredible quantity of data, as traditional digital maps, database, models etc.
Abstract: The experiment was conducted in 2002 inside the administrative limits of Municipalities of Filippiada and Anogeiou, located in the north-eastern department of Prevezas Prefecture. The region is characterized by intense livestock production and great expanses of pasturelands, which amounts in 72,7% of the total area.
The effect of month and hypsometrical zone on biomass production and on chemical composition (CP, ash, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin) were studied in herbage samples collected every month from twelve (12) expiremental plots. The experimental period was from April to September 2002. The plots were separated in three groups: lower zone (or group I) 0 â 500 m, middle zone (or group II) 501 â 1000 m and upper zone (or group III) over 1001m.
Biomass production was higher in lower zone from middle and upper zones. Crude protein and ash content decreased as the experimental period progressed whereas fibre properties tend to increased. Month and hypsometrical zone significantly affected (P<0,001) biomass production, ash content (P<001), crude protein content (P<0,001) and fibre properties concentration (P<0,05). Also, it was found (P<0,05) that the production is connected negatively with the altitude (r=-0,323), crude protein content (r=-0.676) and ash content (r=-0.492) while it is connected positively with NDF content (r=+0.667), ADF content (r=+0.609), hemicellulose content (r=+0.378) and cellulose content (r=+0.663).
As a result of this research, the movement of flocks from means Spring up to dues October from lowers in the upper (mountainous) pasturelands, is considered equitable administrative practice as in the mountainous areas there are better quality pasturage from the lowers zones.
