Statistical data analysis of the population, livestock and land use, in Corfu Island from 1761 to 2006.
The aim of this paper was to unify the inventory regarding the population, the number of livestock and of the land uses from 1761 to 2006 and to interpret the diachronical evolution of these factors. The main data source derived from the Archives of Corfu Prefecture, where a significant amount of historical archives dated from Venice’s Dominance are kept, and from the National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG) database. The results presented a population increase in the island diachronically by 135 %. The percentage of the island’s population in Corfu town is substantial, namely approaching 35 % in 1761 and 40 % in 2001. The number of livestock continued to increase form 1761 to 1961, as a result to the population increase and the embitterment of the standard of living. However, livestock population decreased from 1961 to 2006, due to the tourism development. Overall, agricultural land occupies diachronically the greatest percentage of the extent of the island.
The multifunctional character of the transhumant sheep and goat farming system in Greece
Sheep and goat transhumance constitutes an extensive farming system in Greece, where it stands for about 7.5% of the total sheep and goat population. Transhumant flocks are displaced sometimes for hundreds of kilometers in order to take advantage of mountainous pasturelands in the summer. The purpose of this paper is to provide a presentation of its multifunctional character. Indeed, apart from the provision of income and employment, transhumant farms contribute substantially to safeguarding the livelihood of marginal rural areas, while they are linked to the continuation of traditional and cultural elements which shape the agricultural cultural heritage. The environmental role of the system is two-fold, as it sustains mountainous pasturelands as well as the protection of autochthonous sheep and goat breeds. In addition, the production of traditional dairy products constitutes an activity with economic interest for all stakeholders.
Paying for vegetation maintenance as an ecosystem service for the increase of wildlife population
Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are defined as those contracts in which landowners are paid to produce one or more ecosystem services. For many years Hunting Organizations in Greece pay landowners to improve habitats for wildlife species. This study examines the case of such an action which takes place in an area of the Regional Unit of Drama since 2006. Specifically, Hunting Organizations pay in total 2,000 € per year to the Agricultural Cooperative of Doxato to maintain stubble of cereals in an area of 7.5 km². Through questionnaires hunters demonstrated whether this action had positive effects on the quarry species abundance and hunting quality. The results showed that the quail (Coturnix coturnix) increased its abundance in the region and improved the quality of hunting. It can be concluded that the financial tool of PES is applicable in Greece by a Hunting Organization, it satisfies an important part of the land users, farmers and hunters, and can be an example for the implementation of such actions in Greece under the new Common Agricultural Policy.
Historical transhumance routes in Southwestern Macedonia: The case of Vlasti and Namata
Animal husbandry was highly developed in the mountainous settlements of Southwestern Macedonia (regions of Grevena and Voion) and supported an important part of the local economy. Because of the geomorphological and climatic conditions of those regions, the development of this activity resulted in the seasonal movement of people with their livestock to fixed winter pastures, where the climate is warmer during the winter. In this paper, the historical transhumance routes from the villages Blatsi (Vlasti) and Pipilista (Namata) on Siniatsiko mountain to the lowlands of Thessaly and Central Macedonia are examined, as well as the corresponding geographical dissemination, for the time period of the first half of the 20th century.
Conservation policies of endangered farm animals: The case of working equines
Working equines are used from ancient times until today, for all kinds of daily tasks. In the case of wood and wood products transport, working equines are the major mean of transportation. However, the conservation of the local breeds face serious problems related to genetic protection. A serious environmental policy is required in order to continue to offer their services to forestry. The survey was conducted in the prefecture of Evros, in order to find and register all the owners of working equines. To conduct the survey, a questionnaire with questions tailored to the needs of the research was used and the personal interview was chosen as a method. Descriptive statistics were used for processing the data. According to the results, the owners of the working equines need state funding to preserve these animals and their traditional uses. Additionally the research demonstrates the strong relationship of every owner with the working equines, despite the high cost of maintenance and the difficulties in work.
