Grazing as a Management Tool in Mediterranean Pastures: A Meta-Analysis Based on A Literature Review

Dimitrios Oikonomou, Michael Vrahnakis (), Maria Yiakoulaki, Gavriil Xanthopoulos and Yannis Kazoglou
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Dimitrios Oikonomou: Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, University of Thessaly, 43131 Karditsa, Greece
Michael Vrahnakis: Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, University of Thessaly, 43131 Karditsa, Greece
Maria Yiakoulaki: Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Gavriil Xanthopoulos: Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Dimitra”, Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems, Terma Alkmanos, 11528 Athens, Greece
Yannis Kazoglou: Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design, University of Thessaly, 43131 Karditsa, Greece

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: The present study reviews the impact of mechanical interventions, and controlled burning combined with grazing in the Mediterranean-climate regions (MCRs) of the world. Relevant studies were searched for in the Web of Science database. Additional studies were located in the citations of these publications, and in a local database. Finally, 26 studies were included in this review. Since 1978, several other relevant studies have emerged at a rate of 24% in a 5-year time step. The studies have focused on the effects of combined grazing with other management tools on vegetation structure (18 publications), biomass productivity (16 publications), and floristic diversity (12 publications). The results were analyzed for (a) sites and treatments and (b) effects on plant structure, productivity and floristic diversity. Herbaceous forage increased after a reduction in shrub cover. Shrubs tended to recover in the grazed pastures. Vegetation height was reduced in almost in all cases according to available data. Despite its potential recovery, shrub biomass was affected by grazing in most cases. The impact of subsequent grazing was mixed regarding floristic diversity. Grazing is a useful tool for landscape management in MCRs, but the proper way to combine it with other interventions depends on the management goals.

Keywords: Mediterranean-climate regions; grazing; clearing; controlled burning; cutting; thinning; vegetation structure; productivity; floristic diversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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