Effects of Ski-Resort Activities and Transhumance Livestock Grazing on Rangeland Ecosystems of Mountain Zireia, Southern Greece

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the impacts in time of the ski-resort infrastructure and transhumance livestock grazing on floristic composition, diversity, and rangeland health indices related to ecosystem stability and function. The study was carried out at a site under the pressure of ski resorts and livestock grazing (Ano Trikala) and a site only under the pressure of livestock grazing (Sarantapicho), both located at Mt Zireia, Southern Greece. The plant cover was measured at each site, and the floristic composition was calculated and classified into four functional groups: grasses, legumes, forbs, and woody species. Species richness, ecosystem function and stability landscape indices, diversity indices, and forage value were calculated. According to the results, the development of the ski resort in Ano Trikala had a neglectable negative impact on plant cover (reduced by 5%), while it had a minor impact on species richness and floristic diversity. Livestock grazing had a positive impact on maintaining plant cover in high values. These results suggest that livestock grazing can counterbalance the effects of ski resorts and related activities on plant cover and floristic diversity. Besides the relatively limited effects on the vegetation community, the ski resort significantly negatively impacted landscape composition, function, and stability. Forage value was 25% lower close to the ski resort, mainly due to the significantly lower percentage of legumes. Transhumance livestock grazing should be used as a management tool in ski-resort areas, as it benefits floristic diversity.