Alternative uses of herbaceous species of the Gramineae family
Various species of the Gramineae family (Triticum aestivum, Zea mays, Oryza sativa, etc) constitute the base of human food since prehistoric time and of animal feed (Dactylis glomerata, Lolium spp., Festuca spp., Bromus spp., etc). They are also used in turfgrasses for aesthetic (gardens, parks) and functional (sport facilities) reasons as well as for reclamation of disturbed areas (mines, landfill sites, road sides) in order to prevent soil erosion and to restore the ecosystem. Besides these uses, there are also some not as well known but of financial interest. The objective of this study was the investigation and the report of the alternative uses of plant species of the Graminae family. Cynodon dactylon has medicinal properties, Arundo donax, and Phalaris arundinacea can be used as energy plants, Briza maxima, Lagurus ovatus and Stipa pennata, are used for ornamental purposes, and appropriate for cat grass are Avena sterilis, and Dactylis glomerata.
Structure and function of silvopastoral systems at Florina Prefecture
A survey of agroforestry systems was conducted during 2006-2007 at Florina Prefecture and found 20 silvopastoral systems that described with a special work sheet. According to overstory trees, five types of silvopastoral systems were selected (oak, poplar, wilow, almond and walnut systems). The total area covered with these systems were 2,100 ha. Oak systems covered about 90% of the total area and the most of this area was public owned. The area of other systems were private owned. The main characteristics of oak systems were the steep slopes (15-40%), the high tree density, the variety of woody species and the medium range condition. The other systems had low tree density and good range condition. Some of these systems were not grazed affected by various socioeconomic factors and by the change of animal feeding system from extensive to more intansive. The rest of silvopastoral systems are grazed for a period of six months in a year. These systems also, play a significant environmental role because they protect the soil from erosion, ensure an increased biodiversity, regulate the carbon sequestration, and control mountain hydrology. Conservation of silvopastoral systems is necessary for maintaining of good soil condition, increased biodiversity, improved rural landscape, and rural life in mountain areas.
Changes in plant litter quality characteristics in relation to secondary succession in semi-arid Mediterranean rangelands
Plant litter produced by rangeland ecosystems plays an important role in nutrient cycling dynamics of the plant-soil system, as they function as a substrate for soil microorganisms during decomposition process. The quality of organic matter is highly dependent on the relative amounts of its constituent chemical structural compounds. In this study, we checked the hypothesis that the evolution of secondary succession in rangeland communities modifies the quality properties of plant litter produced at the time of natural senescence in a way that can influence organic matter decomposition rates. The research was carried out in a typical semiarid Mediterranean environment of Lagadas County of Thessaloniki Prefecture, where four types of rangeland vegetation were recognized in order to represent four stages of secondary succession i.e. abandoned field, grassland, open and dense shrubland. In recent plant litter collected during October 2003, we determined the following litter quality characteristics: C and N concentrations, concentration of structural components (NDF, ADF, ADL), C:N, lignin:N, lignin:cellulose ratios and HLQ, LCH and LCI indices. It was found that litter quality characteristics at time of peak senescence: a. change as secondary succession proceeds probably due to changes in species composition, b. are superior in the early stages of succession and c. have distinctive properties in the abandoned field that need further investigation.
Contribution to the knowledge of the flora of grassland ecosystems in the area of Lagadas Thessaloniki
Lagadas area is located about 30 km NE of the city of Thessaloniki. Grasslands occupy a large part of the semi mountainous – mountainous part of the area and constitute an important part of the watersheds of the lakes Koronia and Volvi. Lakes Koronia and Volvi comprise together a protected area of high importance (Ramsar area, National Park, NATURA 2000). The knowledge and recording of the flora of those grassland ecosystems, as well as the ecological characteristics of their plant species, are necessary primary data for the management of the area. The aim of the present study is to contribute to the knowledge of the plant species that occur in the flora of the grassland ecosystems of the area of Lagadas Thessaloniki as well as in the investigation of their ecological characteristics. The species list is presented and the type of grassland ecosystem that each species occurred in is indicated. Furthermore the growth form, the life cycle and the photosynthetic pathway of each species is also indicated. A total of 155 species were recorded belonging into 32 botanical families and 107 genera. Among the species there are annuals, biennials and perennials, while 6 basic growth forms are present. Within the grasses 4 species follow the C4 photosynthetic pathway. These results support the point that for the protection and preservation of the diversity aiming at a better ecosystem function, the existence and preservation of all the grassland vegetation types that constitute the landscape of the area is
necessary.
Analysis of two indexes water use efficiency in Dactylis glomerata L
The instaneous and the intrinsic water use efficiency were analysed in order to study the mechanisms of water use optimization in Dactylis glomerata L. during the growing season. Net assimilation rate(A), transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) were measured in the leaf of Dactylis glomerata L. and the instantaneous (A/E) and intrinsic water use efficiency(A/gs) were calculated by A, E, gs. In the early stages of biological cycle of Dactylis glomerata L and until May the A/E was higher than A/gs. Early in summer when the water deficit was higher the two indexes seem to be similar. Our results provide indications of water use efficiency optimization during the dry season, decreasing and maintaining more or less the value of gs constant.
