Abstract: The effect of growing season and altitudinal zone on herbage production and mineral concentration (K, Na, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn Mn), were studied in herbage samples harvested from pastures in North-Western Greece. Herbage production, was affected (P<0.001) by the harvest month while was not affected by altitudinal zone and “month x altitude” interaction. Harvest month had significant influence (P<0.001) on Mg, Fe, and Zn contents as well as (P<0.05) on Na content. Only the trace elements were affected (P<0.05) by the altitudinal zone. The “month x altitude” interaction had no affection on both macro minerals and trace element concentration. Some of the minerals studied (P, Fe, Zn and Mn) were seasonally deficient for beef cattle while Na was deficient for both cattle and sheep in all altitudinal zones. The rest of minerals met the nutrient requirements of grazing animals.
Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of various shrub control treatments (N+P fertilization, clipping of Phlomis fruticosa and clipping combined with N+P fertilization), to reduce shrub cover and encourage the growth of palatable herbaceous vegetation. Dry matter production and Crude Protein (CP) content of palatable herbaceous vegetation were determined annually from 2004 to 2006. Experimental plots received rains of 691.7, 532.9 and 595.7 mm during the 3 study years compared to mean growing season rainfall of 486.6 mm. Forage production was increased significantly by clipping of Phlomis fruticosa (409.4 vs 335.5 g DM m-2, p<0.05) and clipping combined with N+P fertilization (454.6 vs 335.5 g DM m-2, p<0.05). On average over the 3 years, crude protein concentration increased by fertilization (9.18 vs 8.26%, p<0.05) and fertilization combined with clipping of Phlomis fruticosa (9.35 vs 8.26%, p<0.05). N and P fertilization combined with clipping of Phlomis fruticosa significantly (p<0.05) affected S-RUE. The highest S-RUE of 3.09 kg forage ha-1 mm-1 was obtained with N+P fertilization combined with clipping of Phlomis fruticosa. On average over the 3 years, nutrient use efficiency with N+P application combined with clipping of Phlomis fruticosa for all treatments was higher than without clipping. The increases in plant production per kg fertilizer applied, for N+P application both and without clipping of Phlomis fruticosa L. were 21.10 and 59.50 kg, respectively. Effective improvement of rangeland dominated by Phlomis fruticosa requires, most probably, a combined treatment including removal of mature Jerusalem sage shrubs, suppressing their recovery and stimulating the competing forage component. However, it is proposed the application of clipping of Phlomis fruticosa for a period of at least three years to avoid unfavourable environmental effects from fertilization.
Abstract: The effect of growing season and altitudinal zone on herbage production and mineral element content (K, Na,
Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn) in grazable material, were studied in herbage samples harvested from semi-arid
pasturelands in Western Macedonia region - Greece. Sample collection was accomplished by clipping herbage
biomass in situ at 2 cm above the ground. The statistical analysis showed an important effect of the harvest month
and altitudinal zone on the herbage production, while it didn’t seem to be affected by “month x altitude” interaction.
Herbage production was positively correlated with K (r= +0.412) and Mn (r= +0.460) content, while there
was no significant relation between herbage production and the other mineral contents assayed. Both macro
minerals and trace minerals contents were affected significantly by the harvest month, except Ca, Mg and Mn.
Only K and Ca contents were affected by altitudinal zone, while it was found that there was no influence of
“month x altitude” interaction on both macro minerals and trace minerals. Some of the minerals studied (K, Ca, P
and Mg) were seasonally sufficient in all altitudinal zones, while it was found significant deficiency of Na, Fe, Zn,
Cu and Mn in the total area studied throughout the experimental period. The data suggest that a mineral supplement
should be available during the grazing period in the studied pasturelands in available forms and proper ratios.
Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of grazable
material, during the growing season of plants, in three different altitudinal zones, in native rangelands, northwestern
Greece. Samples were collected during the period from May to October of the years 2004 and 2005. Sample collection
was accomplished by cutting aboveground biomass at a height similar to that grazed by small ruminants. The results
showed that herbage production was significantly affected (P<0.001) by sampling year, growing season and altitudinal
zone respectively, as well as (P<0.01) by the “month x year” and (P<0.05) “altitude x month” interactions. CP, ash,
EE and CF content and IVDMD affected significantly (P<0.01) by both harvest month and altitudinal zone, while
there was no significant affection by the sampling year and the interaction between altitude, month and year (except
EE which affected (P<0.01) by the “month x year” interaction). Herbage production strongly related (P<0.01) to the
altitude (r= +0.247), harvest month (r= -0.479) and CP content (r= -0.274). IVDMD related positively (P<0.01) to
CP (r= +0.729), ash (r= +0.369) and EE (r= +0.351) content and negatively to harvest month (r= -0.779) and to CF
content (r= -0.663). It was recommended that additional protein sources should be supplied in order to cover the needs
of the grazing animals. It is necessary the transhumance of herds from lower to higher altitude for better utilization of
rangelands.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate herbage production and mineral status in three different altitudinal zones in Mount Varnoudas pastures, northwestern Greece. Samples were collected during the period from May to October of the years 2004 and 2005. In order to study the effects of altitudinal zone, harvest month and sampling year on aboveground biomass production and its mineral concentration (K, Na, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn), twenty-four constant experimental cages 4 m x 5 m fenced with metallic net 1.5m high in order to obstruct free – range grazing, were put in place in various openings of forest and subalpine grasslands. In each of the three altitudinal zones (first altitudinal zone: 900-1300m, second altitudinal zone: 1301 – 1700m, third altitudinal zone: 1701-2100m) eight experimental cages were placed. Each experimental cage was divided into 36 equal parts. In the beginning of each month, from May to October, aboveground biomass was collected from 6 of the 36 equal parts. Sample collection was accomplished by cutting aboveground biomass in imitation of the way in which small ruminants graze. The results showed that herbage production and trace minerals of grazable material were significantly affected (P<0.001) by sampling year, growing season and altitudinal zone respectively, while macrominerals were not affected (P<0.05) by altitudinal zone (except Mg). The interactions between sampling year, harvest month and altitudinal zone had no effect on both macro and trace minerals (except Fe). Mean herbage production was higher during the first year of the experimental period in all altitudinal zones. It was negatively correlated (P<0.05) with Na (r= -0.205) as well as (P<0.01) with Zn (r= -0.326) and Cu (r= -0.341) concentrations, but exhibited no significant relation between herbage production and the other mineral concentrations assayed. Concentrations of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and copper (Cu) were higher than the critical level suggested for deficiency in beef cows in all altitudinal zones during the whole experimental period in both sampling years. To the contrary, a significant deficiency in the concentration of sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) was found. Cattle can possibly extend their periods of adequate mineral nutrition by selectively grazing in pastures. However, supplementing minerals to ruminants has been shown to have positive effects on reproduction, immune status, disease resistance and feed intake. We suggest that a mineral supplement of Na, P, Fe, Zn and Mn should be administered during the grazing period in the experimental area.
Abstract: This study demonstrates the utility of the real options approach to pasturelands investment analysis. The main objectives are to discuss the real options theory and show how it can be adopted to model uncertainty and managerial flexibility in pasture management (enlargement plan) and investment. Secondly, we show how to calculate the option values of selected options that may be available to managers of pasturelands. The study provides an empirical application, which compares a pasture investment using the static Net Present Value model and real options approach. The results show that according to the Net Present Value criterion, the enlargement plan of the pastureland is economically feasible. However, assuming the presence of uncertainty, application of a real options approach demonstrates that the Net Present Value may lead stakeholders to faulty decisions, as the investment plan is rejected.
Abstract: This experiment constitutes part of a two-year research study, which was undertaken in spring 2004. The aim of this experiment was to study the altitudinal variation of the chemical composition of the grazable material in Mt. Varnoudas pastures, North-western Greece. The effect of altitude and exposure on aboveground biomass production and chemical composition [crude protein (CP), ash, ether extracts (EE) and crude fibre (CF)] were studied in herbage samples harvested from 24 experimental cages placed in 8 different altitudes (from 900 to 2100m) towards different exposures (east-west-south), throughout the experimental period (May-October 2004). Sample collection was accomplished by cutting above-ground biomass at a height similar to that grazed by small ruminants.The CP and ash content increased as altitude was getting higher, almost during the whole experimental period, while EE content presented trivial variations to altitude and exposure. On the contrary, CF content was reduced as altitude increased. In the beginning of the experimental period. Above-ground biomass production was initially reduced in higher altitudes; later on, however, there was an increase to every altitude. The combination of "altitude x exposure" influenced crucially the production (P<0.001); the influence of exposure was also significant. Above-ground biomass production indicated (P<0.05) a positive correlation to altitude (r= 0.075) and to EE (r= 0.072) and crude fibre (r= 0.172) content, whilst it showed a negative correlation (P < 0.05) to exposure (r= -0.029), ash content (r= -0.122) and protein content (r= -0.230). In order to better exploit the pastures of this area it is considered wise, towards the end of spring, to move the herds from pastures of lower altitude to those of higher altitude for the summer
Notes: Kharkwal, G., Rawat, Y.S. and Y.P.S. Pangtey. 2009. An ordination of the forest communities in Nainital catchment of Kumaun Himalaya. J. Environ. Biol., 30(5) 853-857.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of growing season and altitude on the chemical composition of grazable material in a semi-arid region of Municipality of Siatista, North-western Greece.The effect of harvest month and altitudinal zone on aboveground biomass production and chemical composition (crude protein (CP), ash, ether extracts (EE), NDF, ADF, cellulose, and lignin) as well as calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were studied in herbage samples harvested from 10 experimental cages placed in 2 different altitudinal zones (lower zone: 500 to 1000m - upper zone: 1000 to 1600m) throughout the experimental period (May-October 2004). Sample collection was accomplished by cutting aboveground biomass at a height similar to that grazed by small ruminants. The statistical analysis showed an important effect (P<0.05) of the harvest month and altitudinal zone on the aboveground biomass production, while it didn't seem to be affected by "month x altitude" interaction. Ash, EE, fibre fractions and CP contents as well as P and Ca:P concentrations affected significantly (P≤0.01) by the harvest month but not the Ca concentration. It was found that altitudinal zone had a significant (P<0.001) effect on EE, fibre fractions (except NDF) and CP contents as well as (P<0.01) Ca concentration, whereas altitudinal zone had no significant (P>0.05) effect on ash content and P and Ca:P concentrations. None (except CP content) of measured parameters affected by "month x altitude" interaction. Protein requirements of sheep covered only at the beginning of the growing season, while P may be seasonal sufficient for ruminants, especially cattle. The data suggest that additional protein sources and P mineral supplement should be supplied in order to meet the needs of the grazing animals.
Abstract: The present work refers to a research that took place on Limnos, an island found in North Aegean, the more northern islander region of Greek Archipelagos. In the frame of the research, the factors that shape and influence the rural growth of the island were studied. Via these factors, the structure of rural occupation, as well as the multi-activity phenomenon is described. Moreover, the forms of rural occupation are combined with the farmer’s confidence and opinion concerning the brand name rural products of the island. From the results of this research it becomes clear that the phenomenon of rural multi-activity is particularly intense and is related to other occupations in the tertiary sector. The brand name rural local products are mostly supported by the exclusively and mainly occupied in primary sector people, while the multi-activated young people that are secondarily or auxiliary occupied in agriculture dispute the value of local brand name products and their contribution in the growth of the island.
