Ecology and management of kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) shrublands in Greece: A review

Abstract

Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) shrublands occupy more than 0.4 million ha in Greece and are the typical browse rangelands for 4.5 million goats. Five "range types" of kermes oak were identified based on morphological differences. Clipping of kermes oak improves growth rate of twig length, increases the production of new twigs, and alters the nutritive value of browse. Kermes oak can withstand very heavy (100%) clipping of twigs for 2 consecutive years, yielding the highest growth rate and twig number. Browse production varies among different forms of kermes oak shrublands. The low form (0.5-0.8 m height) yielded the highest production (3,467 kg ha-1). Goat liveweight gain of tall form (2 m height) of kermes oak shrubland was 25 kg ha-1 yr-1; improved shrublands, by topping, produced double liveweight gain when their form was altered. Liveweight gain was almost quadrupled when kermes oak shrublands were converted to grasslands.