A contribution to the study of the flora of West Evritania, with an emphasis to pastures

The area of West Evritania (Greece) includes a number of heterogeneous environments such as high mountains, rivers, lakeshores and areas of low altitude, which are expected to support a rich flora. Nevertheless, the floristic data for the area are scarce and incomplete. In this work the area under study is delimited geographically, and our preliminary floristic results are presented, all based on plant collections of at least 630 specimens from altitudes ranging between 300 and 2000 m. Special emphasis is given to pastures and areas under grazing pressure of various intensity. A floristic list is given and a detailed catalogue of the 2001 collection localities is also provided. Preliminary observations related to the influence of human activities on the flora and the biotopes are briefly reported. The long lasting human impact (grazing, wood cutting, fires, cultivation) is responsible, particularly in certain localities, for the degradation of the natural environment and for floristic rearrangements.