Values, Alterations and Degradation of the Natural Landscape 97
increases the soil’s pH to high values, leading to the scattering of clays
and decomposition of organic matter. The soil blackens and loses all fertility because the clay-humus complex has been destroyed. The soil is now
useless for any productive exploitation.
5.2.7.4 Agricultural Ecosystems
Some extensive agricultural cultivations form ecosystems that retain enough
naturalness. Olive groves, vineyards, grain farming etc. are such examples,
when chemical inflows, especially pesticides, are not used in great quantities. In such cases, considerably large and varied natural populations of
flora and fauna, e.g. birds, live in this anthropogenic environment and use
it for food, nesting, breeding etc. Many stretches of land that extensive
livestock farming activity uses as pastures are natural ecosystems, as are
many forests that are under exploitation. The distinction between natural
and anthropogenic environment in the farming area is often vague.
5.2.7.5 Plant Hedges in Agricultural Areas
Agricultural cultivations were traditionally separated from each other by
plant hedges, creating an interesting and varied landscape. The presence
of trees, bushes and various small plants, of small clusters of forests or
scrub among the fields not only creates a more pleasant picture of the rural
landscape but also supports significant diversity of flora and fauna species
that has proved to be beneficial for agricultural production. Among others,
many birds and various other species, which control some populations of
insects and parasites that harm cultivations, nest or find shelter. The interruption of cultivation continuity and the parcelling out of vast agricultural
expanses can play a positive role in containing agricultural epidemics. Plant
hedges play a significant role in the protection of agricultural soil against
erosion. Moreover, the presence of natural valleys and streams between
cultivations contributes to the biological and hydrological equilibrium of
the rural areas.
The loss of plant hedges has significant negative consequences on the
ecological equilibrium of agrosystems as well as on the micro-climate of
the rural areas. Plant hedges are usually the victims of rural area modernization that promotes modern intensive agriculture, often regardless of
the ecological and long-term economic cost. Land consolidation and land
improvement schemes, when implemented indiscriminately and without an
expert integrated study, destroy the small natural pockets that are adjacent
to the cultivations, and abuse the rural landscape from an ecological and
aesthetic point of view.
increases the soil’s pH to high values, leading to the scattering of clays
and decomposition of organic matter. The soil blackens and loses all fertility because the clay-humus complex has been destroyed. The soil is now
useless for any productive exploitation.
5.2.7.4 Agricultural Ecosystems
Some extensive agricultural cultivations form ecosystems that retain enough
naturalness. Olive groves, vineyards, grain farming etc. are such examples,
when chemical inflows, especially pesticides, are not used in great quantities. In such cases, considerably large and varied natural populations of
flora and fauna, e.g. birds, live in this anthropogenic environment and use
it for food, nesting, breeding etc. Many stretches of land that extensive
livestock farming activity uses as pastures are natural ecosystems, as are
many forests that are under exploitation. The distinction between natural
and anthropogenic environment in the farming area is often vague.
5.2.7.5 Plant Hedges in Agricultural Areas
Agricultural cultivations were traditionally separated from each other by
plant hedges, creating an interesting and varied landscape. The presence
of trees, bushes and various small plants, of small clusters of forests or
scrub among the fields not only creates a more pleasant picture of the rural
landscape but also supports significant diversity of flora and fauna species
that has proved to be beneficial for agricultural production. Among others,
many birds and various other species, which control some populations of
insects and parasites that harm cultivations, nest or find shelter. The interruption of cultivation continuity and the parcelling out of vast agricultural
expanses can play a positive role in containing agricultural epidemics. Plant
hedges play a significant role in the protection of agricultural soil against
erosion. Moreover, the presence of natural valleys and streams between
cultivations contributes to the biological and hydrological equilibrium of
the rural areas.
The loss of plant hedges has significant negative consequences on the
ecological equilibrium of agrosystems as well as on the micro-climate of
the rural areas. Plant hedges are usually the victims of rural area modernization that promotes modern intensive agriculture, often regardless of
the ecological and long-term economic cost. Land consolidation and land
improvement schemes, when implemented indiscriminately and without an
expert integrated study, destroy the small natural pockets that are adjacent
to the cultivations, and abuse the rural landscape from an ecological and
aesthetic point of view.