Comparison of the understorey vegetation in grazed kermes oak stands differing in canopy cover

摘要

Quercus coccifera L. is one of the most common species of the Greek and Mediterranean flora. Although it can assume the form of a tree, it is usually found as a shrub forming extensive shrublands. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of canopy cover on the understorey vegetation of grazed Quercus coccifera L. stands at Kredi, Evryitania prefecture. Central Greece. The experimental area had been long-time grazed by sheep and goats. The study was conducted in a dense kermes oak forest, in a silvopastoral kermes oak system with moderate canopy and in open grassland. Species composition and species richness were measured. Species composition altered from the grassland to the dense forest. The contribution of legumes and forbs was decreased while the contribution of grass species was higher in the dense forest compared to the silvopastoral system and grassland. Species richness was significantly lower in the kermes oak forest compared to the silvopastoral system and the open grassland.