Dynamic Role and Importance of Multi-Kingdom Communities in Mediterranean Wood-Pastures

Eleni Topalidou, Alexandra D. Solomou, Susana S. Santos, Evdokia Krystallidou, Styliani Kakara and Konstantinos Mantzanas
Additional contact information
Eleni Topalidou: Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”, Forest Research Institute, Vasilika, 57006 Thessaloniki, Greece
Alexandra D. Solomou: Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, Ilisia, 11528 Athens, Greece
Susana S. Santos: Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, 4000 Slagelse, Denmark
Evdokia Krystallidou: American Farm School, Marinou Antipa 54, P.O. Box 23, 55102 Thessaloniki, Greece
Styliani Kakara: Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”, Institute of Mediterranean & Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, Ilisia, 11528 Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Mantzanas: Laboratory of Rangeland Ecology, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-21

Abstract: Wood-pastures are among the most valuable types of farmland for ecosystem services, including biodiversity, landscape, soil protection, water management and cultural values. This paper reviews the scientific literature regarding the dynamic role and importance of plant, fungal and ruminant communities in Mediterranean wood-pastures and assesses the favorable and unfavorable aspects of their occurrence through grazing management. The grasslands of the Mediterranean region play an important role both in forage material production and the conservation of biodiversity in plant communities and at the landscape level. These two management purposes are not conflicting but complementary when the management is based upon the knowledge of the effect of grazing on the ecology of these ecosystems. Conclusively, vascular plant, fungal and ruminant communities have a strong influence on ecosystem structure and functioning and they play a key role in many ecological services. Hence, integrated studies which combine multi-level ecological research are essential in order to identify regional and/or national needs in terms of biodiversity, genetic resources, sustainable rural development and conservation policies.

Keywords: flora; fungi; ruminants; grazing; pastures; ecosystem services; ecology; utilization; Mediterranean (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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