When nature meets the divine: effect of prohibition regimes on the structure and tree species composition of sacred forests in northern Greece

Jennifer L. G. Wong,Kalliopi Stara,Rigas Tsiakiris,John R. Healey,John M. Halley,Valentino Marini Govigli

doi:10.5194/we-20-53-2020

Abstract

Abstract. Sacred forests are an integral component of the mountainous cultural landscape of northern Greece, hypothesized to be the result of both ecological processes and site-specific forest management regimes through strict religious prohibition. These practices acted as constraints on natural forest development by suppressing understory growth, while prohibition of woodcutting has preserved large trees. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative effects of physical site environment and management regimes on the structure and composition of woody plant groups in six such forests. Species rank–abundance curves, dissimilarity indices and cluster analyses were used to assess variation within and amongst the woody plant groups of the sites. Species abundance was found to be highly variable amongst the sites, with notable variation between canopy and understory layers indicating dynamic change in floristics and structure. Cluster analysis revealed four main woody plant groups statistically associated with environmental variables (aspect) and forest management (different forest prohibition regimes, and presence or absence of infrastructure). Our results indicate that tree composition is significantly associated with different prohibition regimes linked to the forests' sacred status, as well as the inherent environmental variation amongst sites. Exploring further the role of traditional management systems in shaping sacred forest structure is a relevant research path for designing effective conservation practices tailored to sacred natural sites facing cultural abandonment.

Highlights

Sacred forests are amongst the best-known types of sacred natural sites1 (SNSs) and are not restricted to any particular religion or belief system. Bhagwat and Rutte (2006), in their extensive review, reported 33 examples of SNS occurring in 10 different biomes across all continents except Antarctica
We investigate the interaction of environment and management regimes on the structure and tree species composition of sacred forests, using data collected from six sites, in the north of the Epirus region in NW Greece
The canopies in Vitsa, Mazi, and Kapesovo are characterized by deciduous oaks (Quercus frainetto, Q. cerris, and Q. pubescens and only in Mazi including the semi-deciduous Q. trojana), Greveniti is dominated by beech (Fagus sylvatica), and Vovoussa and Palioseli are dominated by black pine (Pinus nigra)

Summary

Introduction

Sacred forests are amongst the best-known types of sacred natural sites (SNSs) and are not restricted to any particular religion or belief system. Bhagwat and Rutte (2006), in their extensive review, reported 33 examples of SNS occurring in 10 different biomes across all continents except Antarctica. For sacred forests, it is generally the local community that acts as the custodian of a site, managing and conserving its cultural, spiritual, and environmental value (Wild and McLeod, 2008). The custodial groups (which include local religious authorities) define specific management regimes, including duties and prohibitions on forest use. Such regimes vary from site to site and reflect the communities’ objectives and the way they wish to manage local resources, their environment, and their spiritual values (e.g., strict protection, prohibition of felling trees, control of grazing; Stara et al, 2016; Frosch et al, 2016)

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