Traditional Agriculture and the Conservation of Biological Diversity in Crete, Greece

Abstract

The biological diversity in traditional agroecosystems and potential diversity loss associated with land use change in upland Crete was investigated. Using transects, plots and point count sampling methods, the dominant vegetation types and land uses, floristic diversity, breeding birds, and key biophysical attributes of remnant traditional agroecosystems in three upland catchments were identified. Eight vegetation/land use types were observed, including: chestnut stands, old olive groves, maquis, phrygana, intensively cropped parcels, rock walls and hedges, woodlands, and intensive olive groves. Eighty-three native plant species in traditional agroecosystems were recorded, the majority of which were shade intolerant perennial herbs and shrubs adapted to grazing and browsing. The vegetation types/land uses were distributed in a complex mosaic across the landscape, exhibited a wide range of light conditions, structural attributes, percent ground cover, soil organic matter levels, and provided breeding habitat for at least 19 bird species. Traditional farming, grazing and forestry are declining throughout the northern Mediterranean. Woodlands and intensive olive monocultures have replaced diverse land use mosaics and contain less biological diversity than traditional agroecoystems. The conservation of Mediterranean floristic diversity necessitates understanding disturbance regimes and may require maintaining the land use practices and mosaics associated with traditional cultivation practices and livestock grazing.