EPILOGUE

Vegetation is often co-shaped based on the needs and therefore the activities of the inhabitants of an area. In Mediterranean ecosystems, the strong relief and xerothermic conditions resulted in the creation of complex types of agroforestry systems. Gradually, however, the abandonment of activities and/ or the change of traditional activities have led to the reduction of the mosaic-like structure of the vegetation and therefore its diversity. The lack of grazing and/or the abandonment of small crops and terraces (Figure 6) leads to the gradual densification of forests and shrublands with a serious risk of biodiversity loss as well as an increased potential for large destructive fires.

The abandonment of activities and/or the change of traditional activities have led to the reduction of vegetation mosaics and therefore to their diversity