Floristic diversity of the understory in Pinus brutia plantations as affected by elevation and grazing intensity
2016
Margioula, K A | Abraham, M E | Kyriazopoulos, P A | Papadimitriou, M | Parissi, MZ
Floristic diversity of the understory vegetation in Pinus brutia plantations in Serres, Northern Greece, was studied in order to accurately assess the effect of grazing intensity. Two southern neighboring slopes of different elevation at mountain Vrodou were selected: ‘’Elaionas’’ (on average 200 m a.s.l.) and ‘’Chrysopigi’’ (on average 400 m a.s.l.) and three sampling sites at each slope were selected, representing, three grazing intensities: ungrazed, moderate and heavy. Each sampling site consisted of two plots of similar canopy cover conditions. Plant cover was measured, therefore species composition, and plant diversity indices (Species Richness, Shannon’s Index, Evenness, Berger-Parker's index of Dominance and Morisita’s Index of Similarity) were calculated for each plot. Number of species and Shannon index was lower at low elevation slope (Elaionas) and at ungrazed sites, while there was no significant difference at sites of moderate and heavy grazing intensity. The diversity of the vegetation followed the same trend in terms of evenness and dominance. Generally, floristic diversity was higher at the slope (Chrysopigi) of higher elevation. Furthermore, the lower value of Morisita’s Index of Similarity was recorded between the heavy grazing intensity site of high elevation slope (Chrysopigi) and the ungrazed sites of low elevation slope (Elaionas)
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