Effect of habitat type in the distribution, abundance and diversity of avifauna in agroforestry ecosystems
The aim of this study was to investigate if agriculture conservation contributes to the conservation of bird diversity in the mountainous agroecosystems. The number of bird species and the breeding pair density were recorded during the reproduction period of the year 2006 (late April – mid June) in agroforestry ecosystems in NE part of Trikala prefecture. For the importance of habitat type to the species diversity, the following indices were used: (1) richness index (S), (2) diversity index Shannon (H΄), (3) diversity index Simpson (D), (4) dominance index Berger-Parker (BP) and the (5) evenness index Shannon (E). For the estimation of discriminant degree among habitats based on the distribution of species, Cluster Analysis was used. Specifically, in the habitat type “ecotone” was observed four of the five priority species belonging to the Annexes of Directive 79/409. Abundance of bird species and breeding pair density in the study area had significant values in “ecotone”, ‘oak forest”, with large openings, and “Pseudoacacia plantations”. Lower was the number of bird species in “rangelands” and the “fallow land”. Conclusively, heterogeneity created by the presence of mountainous agriculture to the natural environment favors at least bird diversity.
Effects of goat, sheep and wild boar grazing on the regeneration of an under conversion oak forest
The effects of sheep and goats, as well as wild boar (Sus scrofa) grazing activities on the oak regeneration were investigated in an under conversion Mediterranean oak forest. Twenty experimental plots were established (half of them were fenced in order to exclude grazing), in 10 selected areas used by goats, sheep and wild boars. The number of oak seedlings and acorns were measured. Grazing by wild boars, sheep and a combination of them did not have a significant influence on the mean number of oak seedlings. On the contrary, grazing by goats, either in common with sheep or wild boars significantly reduced the mean number of oak seedlings. No significant differences were detected in the mean number of acorns between the treatments. Thus, goat grazing may be detrimental related to oak regeneration as compared to the other animals studied. More research is needed on the effect of goats’ grazing (intensity, stocking rates, grazing season, etc.), as well as on the relationships that may emerge between livestock and the wild boar in order to firmly derive conclusions about the sustainable management of oak forests.
Bat survey on the subalpine grasslands of Mt Varnous (Florina, Greece): preliminary results
The area of Prespa in Greece includes two Natura 2000 sites, which constitute the National Park of Prespa since 2009. The Park is well known for its high diversity of wild flora and fauna. The number of mammal species increased by 43% in 14 years (1995-2009), mainly because of the increase in bat species recorded since 2000. Temperate bats are insectivores and therefore may be an important part of grassland wildlife, since grasslands support a significant insect fauna. We present the results of a preliminary bat survey on the subalpine grasslands of Mt Varnous at the ridges separating the Prespa basin from the basins of Florina and Pisoderi at an altitude of 2000 m, by means of echolocation call recordings. We found that these subalpine grasslands are used by at least five species: a) Tadarida teniotis, b) Miniopterus schreibersii, c) Pipistrellus pipistrellus, d) Hypsugo savi, and e) P. nathusii which are all protected by international and national legislation. Further research on bats in the wider study area is considered of fundamental importance. The results of this preliminary survey impose careful planning of any kind of investment projects in the area (e.g. wind-farms, ski centers), aiming at the reduction of impacts on bats, and therefore on the total biodiversity of Prespa.
Effects of landscape characteristics and human disturbance on the avifauna in rangeland ecosystems
In the present study the correlation between the avifauna presence and use of specific type of rangeland ecosystems, the particular landscape characteristics and human disturbance in Antichasia Mountain of Trikala prefecture was investigated. The avifauna inventory was carried out in 75 sample plots using the point counts method during the breeding period of 2008 (late April – mid June). The variables measured were: (a) the topographic characteristics of rangelands (aspect, slope, soil depth), (b) the particular characteristics of each rangeland (isolated trees presence, isolated shrub presence, large/small shrubs presence, hedgerow presence) and (c) the human disturbance (distance from villages, distance from sheepcotes). Statistical tests were performed between the variables using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test and logistic linear regression was applied in all variables. The regression analysis showed that the presence of large shrub (>0.5m) was correlated negatively with the bird richness (b= -0.324, P= 0.004), following the soil depth (b= -0.324, P=0.004) and the presence of isolated shrubs that was correlated positively (b= 1.109, P= 0.005).
Damages on wildlife habitat improvements in Macedonia and Thrace
The last decades the hunting demand was increased, while the reduction of available area for hunting and the degradation of habitats decreased the quality of hunting activity. In front of this problem, hunters finance in annual base wildlife habitat improvements (special crops, plantings, water reservoirs etc). However, habitat improvements suffer anthropogenic damages that deter their further application. With the help of questionnaire, the inventory of damages, the estimation of cost and the recording of confirmed or suspected (when well-founded suspicions exist) guilty was done. The total cost for habitat improvements was 574,845€ while the estimated cost of damages and thefts was 70,920€ (12.3%). The main guilties were the shepherds.
