Διαδικτυακή Πύλη Συνεργασίας Για Τα Δάση

Ecological classification of Greek land has a long history, starting with the Greek scholars, Aristotle and Theophrastus during the third century B.C. Greece, is situated in south-eastern Europe and it is endowed with splendid scenery, historical and archaeological interest. The total area of the country covers 13.2 million hectares (ha), the population is approximately 11 million people and the land use is affected by the Mediterranean climate. The country is predominantly mountainous, the altitude ranges from sea level to approximately 3000 m (mount Olympus), and the land surface is broken up by hills and high mountains, usually steep and eroded. Moderate (40-70%) and steep (>70%) slopes are dominant and the dense drainage system is characterized by relatively narrow, deeply incised channels. Approximately 700 torrents carry a large load of debris after heavy rains each year, and soil erosion is a serious problem. Mediterranean climate corresponds to distinct associations of natural vegetation, many of which include important forest species. In recent years, many Greek areas have been declared as “protected”, 320 sites (2.7 million ha) listed in the European Network “NATURA 2000” and Special Protected Areas (SPAs) aiming to protect wild and vulnerable species of flora and fauna. The basic land uses are forestry, agriculture and grazing. However, many changes of the Greek woodlands have been taken place throughout the country history until today. From ancient times, agricultural clearances have played an important role in the deforestation, especially in the lowlands and foothills, while repeated wildfires destroyed many forests. According to the data of Forest Service wide-ranging wildfires destroyed more than 1.1 million hectares of woodlands in the last decades. Many problems arise because the basic land uses are intimately mixed with and, today suffer greatly from wildfires, destructive human operations and overgrazing (by goats particularly).