Management of the pseudoalpine rangelands of the Grammos mountain

The crowns of the high mountains have been worldwide recognized as sensitive ecosystems and the preservation of their special bio-physical characteristics stand in need of a special management. The pseudoalpine rangelands of the Grammos mountain are representatives of that kind. The pioneered Special Management Plan of the Grammos Sub-alpine Rangelands was compiled and the main goal of the protection and sustain of the sensitive and valuable characteristics of the environment was initially set up, instead of the expected income that would be probably saved by a standard management for clearly husbandry purposes. Ten Rangeland Units were distinguished and it was found that the 36% of their total area were undergrazed. Specific actions were deposited for each Rangeland Unit concerning the spatial and temporal livestock adjustment, based on the rules of protection and improving of the natural potential of these areas. Comparisons among the present condition and that of 20 years ago have been also made.