engleski

An Ecological Approach to Management of the Mediterranean Natural Resources

The Adriatic area of Croatia is a typical example of Mediterranean ecosystems, as shown by the economy, culture and civilization. This area covers more than one third of the entire territory of Croatia (2.020.000 ha or 35.7%). Agricultural areas within the Adriatic littoral represent more than one third (34.3%) of the total agricultural area of Croatia. In contrast, arable lands of the Adriatic Region represent only 16.4% of the total arable lands of Croatia. Rangelands account for a greater portion of the agricultural and forest lands within the Adriatic Region compared to other agricultural regions of Croatia. Over 1.7 million hectares are considered as rangelands, and these lands represent a significant natural resource for livestock development. Much of these rangelands areas are, for a variety of social and political reasons, partly or completely abandoned today. The lack of grazing has allowed the growth of bushes and small trees that form very dense and almost impenetrable thickets. The fire-prone bushes and small trees increase the risk and the significance of fires, prevent livestock access to the existing range plants, and suppress the growth of more desirable plant species. Even though livestock production in the Croatian littoral has a long tradition, extensive and systematic investigation of the economic values and proper utilization (i.e., grazing systems) of Mediterranean rangelands has not been conducted.

Range science; management of Mediterranean ecosystems; range ecology

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