The effects of grazing on terraced agro-ecosystems of Lesvos Island (Greece)

We used GIS mapping to study the spatial distribution of the terraced areas on the island of Lesvos, in particular those used today as pastures and related to husbandry. In addition we investigated the effects of husbandry activities (grazing, stabling etc.) on the status of conservation of the supporting walls of these terraces. The evaluation of the mapping results has shown that the west and northwest part of the island suffers the highest terrace abandonment, which goes hand-in-hand with the development of goat and sheep keeping. Despite of the fact that such abandonment is evident in other parts of the island, we expect that the aforementioned areas are more severely and immanently threatened compared to the rest of the island. This is due to the present land use and grazing pressure (high in the W and NW) and the geological substrate (volcanic rock used to build the supporting walls in the W and NW).