Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
Rangelands dominate the landscape of the Mediterranean part of Croatia along the Adriatic coastline, occupying 83% of the agricultural land (1.7 million ha) and 40% of the entire country. The proportion of rangelands is considerably higher in the Mediterranean littoral than in other ecological regions of Croatia. Sheep and goats are widespread in the region, comprising 76% of total sheep and goat numbers in Croatia. However, in comparison to other regions of Croatia, livestock production in the Mediterranean zone is not well developed. Continuous grazing begun too early in the growing season has caused substantial rangeland degradation and a decline from potential productivity. The improvement strategy is to rely on controlled grazing systems, in which priority is given to restricting grazing pressure in the early spring, improving animal distribution and introducing rotational grazing practices. The more difficult task is to regulate animal numbers. Although the general climate of southern Croatia is Mediterranean, there is a gradient inland from the coast. Dry summer stress, combined with a long history of man's influence on the natural vegetation, has resulted in the formation of several contrasting rangeland types. The main types are pasture vegetation, shrublands (maquis and garrigues) and forested ranges (Horvatic, 1975).
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Rangelands in the Mediterranean Zone of Croatia
Rangelands dominate the landscape of the Mediterranean part of Croatia along the Adriatic coastline, occupying 83% of the agricultural land (1.7 million ha) and 40% of the entire country. The proportion of rangelands is considerably higher in the Mediterranean littoral than in other ecological regions of Croatia. Sheep and goats are widespread in the region, comprising 76% of total sheep and goat numbers in Croatia. However, in comparison to other regions of Croatia, livestock production in the Mediterranean zone is not well developed. Continuous grazing begun too early in the growing season has caused substantial rangeland degradation and a decline from potential productivity. The improvement strategy is to rely on controlled grazing systems, in which priority is given to restricting grazing pressure in the early spring, improving animal distribution and introducing rotational grazing practices. The more difficult task is to regulate animal numbers. Although the general climate of southern Croatia is Mediterranean, there is a gradient inland from the coast. Dry summer stress, combined with a long history of man's influence on the natural vegetation, has resulted in the formation of several contrasting rangeland types. The main types are pasture vegetation, shrublands (maquis and garrigues) and forested ranges (Horvatic, 1975).
