Effects of Season and Frequency of Burning on a Phryganic Rangeland in Greece

Phryganic rangelands dominated by Sarcopoterium spinosum, a thorny and unpalatable dwarf shrub, are a common vegetation type over the eastern Mediterranean countries. In such a rangeland of northern Greece, the effect of early spring and fall burning, applied once, twice, and three times in a 3-year period, was studied. Season of burning did not have any significant effect on the dominant shrub. Frequency of burning, however, significantly reduced the plant yields but altered species composition only slightly and had no effect on soil organic matter and acidity. Burning has only temporary effects on phryganic rangelands due to the high regeneration capacity of the component species. If prescribed, fire can be used a a tool to suppress the shrub and increase the availability of herbage for the benefit of the grazing animals.