Mediterranean-Type Ecosystem
l3
Table 1.5. Vegetational characteristics induced by fire and grazing
Fire
Reduction in vegetation cover
Destruction of the stratification of
Increased resprouting
Activation of germination activity
Increases in dominance of herbaceous
Increased participation of geophytes
Grazing
High number of new resprouts confined within
Higher rate of biomass increase
Decreased litterfall
Increased biomass investment to below ground
Nutrient and carbohydrate storage in the below
Higher rate of nutrient uptake
Increased nutrient recycling
Shorter maturation (flowering) period
Increased participation of herbs
directly to a community dominated by two typical phryganic species, Thymus
capitatus and Balota acetabulosa. The second path results from the combination of low or moderate grazing pressure and fire. The endpoint of this path
corresponds to a typical asphodel semi-desert. Finally, the third degradation
path involves grazing and low fire frequency.
As shown above, overgrazing results in phryganic formations, while frequent fire leads to asphodel semi-deserts. The anthropogenic impact on Mediterranean-type formations also induces major changes in micro environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and soil characteristics,
while changes in the biotic environment are reflected in the physiognomy of
the vegetation, species composition and abundance, and in plant activity.
Table 1.5 gives some vegetation characteristics of particular significance for
the structure and function of the fauna in Mediterranean-type formations.
1.2.4.1
Attributes of Resilience
Beyond the well-documented morphological adaptations of plants (resprouting, depth of the root system, and sderophyllia or seasonal dimorphism of
leaves), attributes of resilience can also be exemplified in the distributional,
demographic and physiological characteristics of the plants (Stamou and
Pantis 1995). Irregular landscapes and erosion result in small and somewhat
larger spatial distribution scales. First-order organisations (with smaller
aggregation sizes) are linked to resprouting plants, while second-order
organisations (with larger aggregation sizes) are associated with high sexual
reproductive effort. The latter enables plants to colonise microsites, thereby
allowing for plant establishment. Once established in these micro sites, plants
resprout and form stable aggregates, thereby reducing the effect of erosion
and further improving the local quality of soils. Papatheodorou et al. (1993)
correlated the spatial distribution of the sderophyllous tree Q. cocci/era with
l3
Table 1.5. Vegetational characteristics induced by fire and grazing
Fire
Reduction in vegetation cover
Destruction of the stratification of
Increased resprouting
Activation of germination activity
Increases in dominance of herbaceous
Increased participation of geophytes
Grazing
High number of new resprouts confined within
Higher rate of biomass increase
Decreased litterfall
Increased biomass investment to below ground
Nutrient and carbohydrate storage in the below
Higher rate of nutrient uptake
Increased nutrient recycling
Shorter maturation (flowering) period
Increased participation of herbs
directly to a community dominated by two typical phryganic species, Thymus
capitatus and Balota acetabulosa. The second path results from the combination of low or moderate grazing pressure and fire. The endpoint of this path
corresponds to a typical asphodel semi-desert. Finally, the third degradation
path involves grazing and low fire frequency.
As shown above, overgrazing results in phryganic formations, while frequent fire leads to asphodel semi-deserts. The anthropogenic impact on Mediterranean-type formations also induces major changes in micro environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and soil characteristics,
while changes in the biotic environment are reflected in the physiognomy of
the vegetation, species composition and abundance, and in plant activity.
Table 1.5 gives some vegetation characteristics of particular significance for
the structure and function of the fauna in Mediterranean-type formations.
1.2.4.1
Attributes of Resilience
Beyond the well-documented morphological adaptations of plants (resprouting, depth of the root system, and sderophyllia or seasonal dimorphism of
leaves), attributes of resilience can also be exemplified in the distributional,
demographic and physiological characteristics of the plants (Stamou and
Pantis 1995). Irregular landscapes and erosion result in small and somewhat
larger spatial distribution scales. First-order organisations (with smaller
aggregation sizes) are linked to resprouting plants, while second-order
organisations (with larger aggregation sizes) are associated with high sexual
reproductive effort. The latter enables plants to colonise microsites, thereby
allowing for plant establishment. Once established in these micro sites, plants
resprout and form stable aggregates, thereby reducing the effect of erosion
and further improving the local quality of soils. Papatheodorou et al. (1993)
correlated the spatial distribution of the sderophyllous tree Q. cocci/era with