Panorama of papers in the proceedings of the Panhellenic Rangeland Congresses of the Hellenic Range and Pasture Society (1996 – 2006)
The Hellenic Range and Pasture Society (HΕRPΑS) was founded in 1992 in order to promote the range science in Greece. From 1996 to 2006, it organised 5 Panhellenic Rangeland Congresses (PRC) in various cities of Greece. In this paper, the bibliography that was published in the proceedings of these congresses is presented in an electronic database and the number of papers, authors and institutions that took part, as well as the subject matters that had been covered were statistically analyzed. Altogether, 267 papers were presented in an oral or poster form, distributed in 14 thematic sessions. Authors were 294 scientists of various specialities from 94 institutions and organisms of Greece and other countries. Key-words of these papers are numerous and cover a large number of subjects related with range science. The number of authors that participated as well as the number of papers that were presented in these congresses increased from the 1st PRC to the 4th PRC, but decreased in the 5th PRC. The database will be uploaded in the HΕRPΑS website to be permanently enriched with new data in the future.
Germination and survival of valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis) seedlings in the field
A number of natural and man-caused factors have affected all forest Mediterranean ecosystems, and specifically the Greek ones, for the past millennia. This resulted in degradation or even elimination of several of them including those of valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis). This research examines the germination and survival of valonia oak seedling during a one-year field experiment. The factors examined and related to germination rates and seedlings characteristics, were acorn source and acorns characteristics. It appears that acorn source affects germination rates whereas no correlation was found between acorn size and germination rate or survival for acorns derived from the same source. Middle and big sized acorns had the greatest germination rate and survival. Acorn size was related to seedlings morphological characteristics with the greatest acorns resulting in seedlings with the best characteristics. These results are of great importance for reforestation and afforestation work in degraded xerothermic areas where valonia oak constitutes a very good choice for forest plantations.
The impact of grazing in (Quercus ithaburensis subsp.macrolepis) forest regeneration in W. Lesvos, Greece
The impact of grazing on the density of seedlings and saplings in a Lesvos valonia oak forest (Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis) was investigated. Two sampling areas were located in Anemotia and Batousa villages, with a stocking density of 0.09 head/ha and 0.02 village head/ha, correspondingly. The impact of grazing on the densities of seedlings, young saplings and trees was quantified in 300 sampling plots (100 m2 each) distributed in each experimental site. Three height categories were distinguished 0-20 cm, 20-150cm and >150cm. In Anemotia area we found more seedlings but fewer saplings and trees than Batousa area . The density of saplings was significantly differed between two areas. The regeneration was higher in Anemotia because of lower competition for light, humidity and nutrients.
Biomass production and distribution of water-soluble carbohydrate reserves in Greek populations of Dactylis glomerata L. growing in contrasting environments
Greek populations of Dactylis glomerata L. from different bioclimatic zones were studied under the same climatic conditions, in order to investigate biomass production and the distribution of watersoluble carbohydrate reserves during the growing season. One population was from north (Taxiarchis), one from central (Pertouli) and one from south Greece (Crete island). The population from Crete had the lower dry matter production but the higher concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates. The concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates in leaves, shoots and roots for the population of Crete and Taxiarchis decreased gradually from the beginning to the middle of growing season and increased again at the end. On contrary, for the population of Pertouli this concentration in shoots and roots constantly decreased, while in leaves constantly increased from the beginning to the end of the growing season. Generally, the populations of Crete and Taxiarchis tend to store water-soluble carbohydrates in stubbles and roots, while the population of Pertouli in leaves.
Demographic study of annual legume species populations (Fabaceae) and adaptation in low altitude grasslands
Demographic changes of annual legume species populations of genus Trifolium were studied in order to find their adaptation in low altitude grasslands of our country. Trifolium angustifolium, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium glomeratum, Trifolium resupinatum and Trifolium spumosum were seeded in monocultures in the garden of the Laboratory of Range Science. Species density and growth parameters such specific leaf area (SLA), specific leaf weight (SLW), shoot/root length ratio, total above/below plant biomass ratio and the relative leaf biomass (LWR), were measured during the growing season. The results have shown that Trifolium glomeratum, Trifolium resupinatum and Trifolium spumosum were better adapted in arid climatic conditions of low altitude zone compared to the other species.
