Grazing effects on floristic diversity of a juniper-oak rangeland

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of grazing intensity on plant cover and floristic diversity of a juniper – oak rangeland ecosystem in the Mediterranean region. The research was conducted in an area, which is grazed mainly by goats, at Megalo Dereio in Evros region, northeastern Greece. Three experimental plots were selected in a rangeland dominated by Juniperus oxycedrus with the spontaneous presence of Quercus frainetto: 1) a lightly grazed plot, 2) a moderately grazed plot and 3) a heavily grazed plot. An area of 25 m2 in each plot was fenced in autumn 2008, in order to be protected from grazing. The plant cover, the species composition and the herbage production were measured in June 2010 and ecological diversity indices as well as the forage utilization percent were determined. The plant cover was significantly reduced by heavy grazing. The floristic diversity was not affected by the different grazing intensities. There was however, a significant reduction of it where protection from grazing was applied.