Foraging behaviour of cattle and goats in oak forest stands of varying coppicing age in Northern Greece

Grazing effects on the sustainability of an oak coppice forest

“…Herbage production in heavy and light grazing in the oak coppice forest was significantly higher (P 0.05) in 1991 compared to that of 2005, while in moderate grazing treatment an increase (15.3%) was observed in 2005. An almost similar herbage production in an oak forest understory was reported by Papachristou et al (2005). As far as browse production is concerned it was higher (34.2%) in moderate and (10.4%) in light grazing and lower (7.2%) in heavy grazing in 2005, compared to that in 1991.…”

“…At the same time, an increase of animal products is expected due to the green and nutritious forage produced in the understory of such forests (Papachristou et al, 2005). This treatment resulted in the considerable growth of the oak trees as well as of the understory vegetation.…”

Livestock management in Natura 2000: A case study in a Quercus pyrenaica neglected coppice forest

“…High forest, high polewood and coppice tall shrubs: Conversion by low-intensity thinning should be used in these stands in order to achieve natural regeneration. In the Mediterranean deciduous oak coppice forest, the conversions to high forest benefited from the moderate grazing which favoured the increase of wood stock (Ainalis et al 2010) and controlled the resprouting vegetation (Papachristou, Platis, & Nastis 2005) favouring acorn production (Serrada et al 2008).…”

Effects of herbage intake on goat performance in the mediterranean type natural pastures

“…Bushes differing in height bear the primary characteristic of Mediterranean vegetation (Mill 1990; Bartolomé et al . 1998; Papachristou et al . 2005; Rogosic et al .…”

“…Small ruminants convert natural resources that are otherwise unavailable for use in high quality animal products. In this respect, sheep and goats can be considered as important elements of agricultural production (Papachristou et al . 2005).…”