When nature meets the divine: effect of prohibition regimes on the structure and tree species composition of sacred forests in northern Greece

摘要: Abstract. Sacred forests are an integral component of the mountainous cultural landscape northern Greece, hypothesized to be result both ecological processes and site-specific forest management regimes through strict religious prohibition. These practices acted as constraints on natural development by suppressing understory growth, while prohibition woodcutting has preserved large trees. The aim this study was investigate relative effects physical site environment and management on structure composition woody plant groups in six such forests. Species rank–abundance curves, dissimilarity indices and cluster analyses were used assess variation within amongst woody plant sites. abundance was found highly variable amongst sites, with notable between canopy understory layers indicating dynamic change in floristics structure. Cluster analysis revealed four main statistically associated with environmental variables (aspect) (different forest prohibition regimes, presence or absence infrastructure). Our results indicate that tree is significantly different prohibition linked forests' sacred status, well the inherent environmental Exploring further the role traditional systems shaping structure is a relevant research path for designing effective conservation practices tailored natural sites facing cultural abandonment.