Spring bulbs of Parnassos & the Peloponnese, March-April 2010

[cohan]

Although we have never been there in the summer, I think it must be quite heavily grazed. As the area becomes increasingly developed it is difficult to know whether grazing pressure will increase, as there is less ground available, or decrease because the farmers give up and get jobs in the tourism/skiing industry. If grazing pressure reduces it may gradually revert to woodland and become less good for the crocuses (as is happening on some Crocus goulimyi sites on the Peloponnese). Parts of this area may be too wet for trees.

interesting, thanks...here, too, a removal of human intervention in the landscape would actually mean the loss of species needing semi/open areas...

[Tony Willis]

Margaret's last posting with the picture of the habitat is interesting because that is a vernal lake on Parnassus  which disappears completely in summer. When dry the area it covers does not seem to support any vegetation because by that time the rainfall has all but ceased until late autumn.