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One of the most interesting parts of the course was visiting other padlets.

Following  presentations of Belgium i saw that Greece has higher numbers of endemic species. I assume that's because is closer to the equator, has warmer climate and higher habitat diversity.

Has lower biodiversity compared with countries closer to the equator such Suriname (this place has armadillos and harpy eagles!).

Comparing Mt Hymettos with Mt Rodopi ( Thrace basin) the latter seems to have higher biodiversity. I guess that happens because Mt Rodopi occupies much wider area and probably is not threatened as much as Mt Hymettos by city's expansion. Also has different top carnivores, such bears and wolfs.

As expected, Greece has some common species with Portugal and Italy.

There are different environmental issues for different countries. Russia has problems with illegal logging and nuclear contamination. There was an environmental disaster in Hungary with toxic aluminium byproducts.

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Animals with predator-prey relation in Mt Hymettos

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Animals with predator-prey relation in Mt Hymettos

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Peregrine falcon- Rock Pigeon

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Peregrine falcon is one of the most important bird species that lives in Mt Hymettos.

Is one of the fastest animals in the world. Feeds mainly on birds, including poultry. Most prey is taken on the wing, following an incredibly rapid stoop or by swift aerial pursuit, but it also still-hunts from an exposed perch.
In Hymettos, its main prey is rock and feral pigeons. Sometimes can be seen very close to the city, were it also hunts.

https://www.arkive.org/peregrine-falcon/falco-peregrinus/image-G140310.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_falcon

http://globalraptors.org/grin/SpeciesResults.asp?specID=8248

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One of the fastest species in the world, the peregrine falcon may reach speeds of up to 250 km/h or more when diving in pursuit of prey.

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Why peregrine falcons are the fastest animals on earth

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The rock dove is a member of the bird family Columbidae.

From this species descended the domestic pigeon. Escaped domestic pigeons have raised the populations of feral pigeons around the world.
Is very common in Athens, especially in the city center.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_dove

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Red fox - Brown hare

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can be found in the mountain Hymettos and sometimes in the hills close to residential areas. The species primarily feeds on small rodents, though it may also target rabbits, reptiles and invertebrates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_fox#Diseases_and_parasites

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Brown hare (Lepus europaeus)
Hares are herbivorous and feed mainly on grasses and herbs, supplementing these with twigs, buds, bark and field crops, particularly in winter.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hare

Recent genetic analyses of brown hare indicates that likely a large fraction of Greek populations have retained their pre-glacial diversity.

Although during LGM, the Balkan peninsula acted as a major refugium for the colonization of the northern parts of Europe by brown hare, the contribution of Greece seems to be minimal.

source: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206327

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Pine processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
Pine processionary moth larvae feed on the needles of pine trees and some other conifer tree species. In large numbers they can severely defoliate trees, weakening them and making them more susceptible to attack by other pests or diseases, or lead to environmental stress caused by drought or excessive moisture.
There are plenty of them in Hymettos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_processionary

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-924HD6

http://facultyweb.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/PineProcessionary.html

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An awesome video about caterpillars's movement. It's not referred to pine prossesionary caterpillars, but it's quite interesting :)

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STRANGE but GENIUS Caterpillar Speed Trick - Smarter Every Day 93

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Click to Tweet this craziness: http://bit.ly/15nCkHW Click to Post to Facebook: http://on.fb.me/11hKH79 ⇊ Click to Expand! ⇊ While in the Rainforest we discovered a "Caterpillar Turbo Mode" How much faster can a group of caterpillars travel than an individual caterpillar on the same course?

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Pine processionary moth

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Thyme dodder (Cuscuta epithymum)
Thyme dodder is a parasitic plant that has no chlorophyll and relies on getting water and nutrients from its host plant, thyme.
Is considered a destructive weed and when it's detected should be immediately removed.
https://beforeyougarden.com/2014/07/24/weird-parasitic-plant-thyme-dodder/

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/17114

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Hermann's tortoise
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni ) is a very common species in Hymettos. Can be seen also close to the surrounding residential areas.
Are herbivorous, consuming primarily grasses, flowers, and some fruits. Clovers, wild rosemary and oregano are some examples of their diet.

Early in the morning, the animals leave their nightly shelters, which are usually hollows protected by thick bushes or hedges, to bask in the sun and warm their bodies. They then roam  in search of food. Around midday, the sun becomes too hot for the tortoises, so they return to their hiding places. In the late afternoon, they leave their shelters again and return to feeding.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann%27s_tortoise

http://herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=cats&page=read&id=70&sid=67

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Rüppell's warbler- Sardinian warbler

Rüppell's warbler

The Rüppell's warbler (Sylvia rueppeli) is a migratory bird. Breeds in Greece, Turkey and neighbouring islands. Is wintering in north east Africa. Can be found in Hymettos during summer. Feeds on insects  (larvae, lepidoptera etc), worms and fruits.Prefers to nest in maquis shrubland at 400-600 m altitude.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%BCppell%27s_warbler

http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ruppells-warbler-sylvia-ruppeli

photos: http://www.tatzpit.com/site/en/pages/inPage.asp?catID=9&subID=333&subsubID=783

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Rüppell's warbler song
source: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Sylvia-ruppeli

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Sardinian warbler

The Sardinian warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)  is also a migratory bird that breeds in the southernmost areas of Europe, Turkey and the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Alike to Rüppell's warbler, prefers bushes for nesting and feeds on insects and sometimes fruits. They both belong to genus Sylvia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardinian_warbler

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Rüppell's warbler prefers to nest in altitudes over 400 m, possibly due to competition in food resources with Sardinian warble which can be found in large numbers in many areas of Hymettos.

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Can you spot the differences?
Left: Sardinian warbler
Right: Rüppell's warbler

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Niche partitioning- source of information

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Niche partitioning- source of information

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http://www.ypeka.gr/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=1p1Hsek8Qxk%3d&tabid=572
My translation in English for the sentence in the red circle ( in the following image) : In the area of study (Mount Hymettos), Sylvia rueppelli nests at altitudes over 400 m, possibly due to the competition that exists with Sylvia melanocephala, which is permanent resident of the area and can be seen in large numbers everywhere.

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Blasius's horseshoe bat
Blasius's horseshoe bat(Rhinolophus blasii) is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. Lives in warm limestone-based areas with fairly open covers of shrubs and trees.
Are insectivorous, with a diet mainly consisting of nocturnal moths, including those of the families Lasiocampidae, Noctuidae, and Geometridae.

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhinolophus_blasii/#7846d5c6d00beadde5ea87d783a6628e

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasius%27s_horseshoe_bat

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A drawing made with examples from Hymettos's ecosystem.

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Padlet for Theme 1: https://padlet.com/xriskate/75b7sz32jtfv
Please evaluate my work by leaving a comment with one of the following descriptions:
1.Your BioArea needs some elaboration and enrichment
2.Your BioArea is looking good
3.Your BioArea is looking excellent!
Thank you!

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Mount Hymettos is very close to Athens's city center, approximately 16,5 km. Thus, since long ago, human activities had a significant impact to mountain's ecosystem.
Nowadays main causes of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are : Infrastructure, wildfires, highways intersections, pollution, and human disturbance.

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*Warning! An earthworm invaded the level of herbivorous consumers in the trophic pyramic. Don't be confused! Doesn't belong there, because as it is widely known, is a detritivore. :P

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Due to the threats that Hymettos is facing, some of the species that hosts are listed as vulnerable or endangered on IUCN red list. E.g.:

Ophrys argolica (VU)

Silene holzmannii (EN)

Streptopelia turtur (VU)

Daphniola louisi (CR)

Paranemonia vouliagmeniensis (EN) -Vouliagmenis's Lagoon

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is a terrestrial species of orchid native to Greece, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria.
Spyros Oikonomidis- Department of Biology, NKUA

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https://www.greekflora.gr/el/flowers/1469/Ophrys-argolica

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is a herbaceous annual species.
Its shoots are upright with a height of 15-60 cm.

It is a species specialized in living in small islands.
https://www.greekflora.gr/el/flowers/2096/Silene-holzmannii

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303688436_Silene_holzmannii_Boiss

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is a member of the bird family Columbidae.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_turtle_dove

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Source:
Natura 2000 standard data forms
http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=GR3000015

http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=GR3000006

Biodiversity monitoring in Hymettos, Amibio project- 2013
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showFile&rep=file&fil=AMIBIO_presentation_GR.pdf

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In 2015 a study showed that 18 of the 100 worst invasive alien species in Europe (according to the DAISIE database) have been established in the terrestrial environment of Greece (6 plants, 7 invertebrates, 5 vertebrates).

There are many non native species in Mt Hymettos. Their introduction took place some decades ago. Nowadays are fully established and are not considered a serious threat. Some of them are:

Ailanthus altissima, Oxalis pes-caprae,Solanum elaeagnifolium, Acacia saligna, Mus musculus, Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus.

Alien challenges in Greece: an overview of the terrestrial species -2015
https://www.ciheam.org/publications/170/013_-_Arianoutsou.pdf

DAISIE database for Greece:
http://www.europe-aliens.org/regionFactsheet.do?regionId=GRC

List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/invasivealien/list/index_en.htm

Graffiti in Athens

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Invasive alien species  introduced in the last decade

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Invasive alien species  introduced in the last decade

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Asian tiger mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a black-white mosquito of normal size with similar body length to that of the House common mosquito Culex pipiens (5-6 mm).  It was first identified in Corfu and Thesprotia in 2003-2004. Since then, the mosquito-tiger has been found also in Attica (study of 2012). Seems that has been benefited from changes in the climate.

In Europe doesn't seem to have significant conflicts with well established species, apparently because it covers an extensive new niche. But as a disease vector is considered harmful for humans, cats, dogs, and some arthropods.

A project called  LIFE CONOPS took place for invasive mosquito control in Greece from 2013 to 2018.

Life conops project
http://www.conops.gr/morphology-and-biology-of-the-asian-tiger-mosquito/?lang=en

https://www.aftodioikisi.gr/ygeia/keelpno-idou-oi-perioxes-me-kounoupia-tigreis-xartis/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedes_albopictus#Competition_with_established_species

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Monk parakeet

The Myiopsitta monachus is a small parrot that belongs to the genus Myiopsitta. Is native to Argentina and surrounding countries. Is considered an invasive species in Mexico, where populations seems to increase rapidly.

Right now it can be found in Greece but its populations are not considered a serious threat for its ecosystem.

Small groups can be found in Hymettos boundaries, hills and parks of Athens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_parakeet
Kesariani's Park

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Kesariani park: A small group of monk parakeets can be seen regularly in the last years. It's an interesting spectacle for residents, since they mainly can see pigeons and sparrows.

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Wildfires are a major cause of habitat loss and habitat degradation. Climate changes, poor fire prevention, incompatible land use and humans activities contribute to the problem. The wildfire of 2015 had a significant impact on the west side of the mountain.

The wildfires of Mt Hymettos:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329044603_The_fires_of_Mount_Hymettus_near_Athens_Greece_1996-2017_history_and_fire_behavior_characteristics

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It seems that one of the major causes of habitat loss in Mt Hymettos was the construction of residencies (which are in some cases illegal), and buildings in general. Until now there are many buildings that are considered illegal, since they are in protected areas.
Universities, university camps and military infrastructure occupy a portion of the mountain. Parks, recreational kiosks and sports terrains, can also be found.
With the presidential decree of 1978, construction licenses can only be given for the construction of  hospitals, recreational and sports areas, teaching facilities, orphanages and asylums. In 2017  there was a suspension of the issuance of building permits.

Take a look on this map that illustrates the changes in land cover from 1945 to 2009:
http://www.oikoskopio.gr/casestudies/attiki.html

WWF Hellas

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Water tank, Hymettos

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Periferiaki Hymettou is a highway that passes through the bountaries of the mountain. In addition, residencies and smaller road networks cause habitat fragmentation of the area.

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In Hymettos there used to be mining sites and quarries. Nowadays seems their operations are highly reduced.

Hunting has been prohibited from 2017 to 2019.

There is also some agricultural activity in the eastern boundaries of Hymettos.

There are a lot of beekeeping spots, usually used by professional beekeepers.

In conclusion, i think neither of these activities  can be considered over-exploitative.
But i assume that in combination with urbanization, wildfires, air and garbage pollution and highway intersections can cause significant degradation of the environment. Please take into account that i didn't find enough data for hunting and industrial use.

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Legal framework- A controversial story
Nowadays Mt Hymettos is protected from the presidential decree of 1978. But in 2011 an updated version was introduced. Under this legal framework, there would be an increase of the areas that are strictly protected, from approximately  ~65% of the overall area of the mountain to ~88,5%. Some of the illegal residencies should be demolished and existing mining and quarries companies should stop their operations. Also there would be restrictions for recreational infrastructure.
Despite that the changes would be beneficial for the mountain's ecosystem, the amendment was cancelled in 2017, after applications in court by some of the affected municipalities.
https://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/236776/tropopoiisi-tou-proedrikou-diatagmatos-gia-tin-prostasia-tou-ymittou

https://www.iefimerida.gr/news/364438/ste-akyrose-proedriko-diatagma-toy-2011-gia-tin-prostasia-toy-ymittoy

Antennas in Mt Hymettos

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In conclusion: Seems that legal framework for Hymettos's protected areas is still a controversial subject.
The lack of a well  designed strategic planning and conflict of interests seem to have a direct negative impact on Hymettos's ecosystem.

Also seems that there is an important deficiency of  in regular basis data collection and in-depth comprehensive environmental study.

Hymettos's hill, Vyronas

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The increase of the average temperature has a direct impact on the number of dry days, of heatwaves during summer, days of extreme fire risk, days of rain and floods.
As far as concerns Hymettos this can be very alarming, since wildfires and habitat degradation are already important threats.

The impact of the climate change on the Greek economy:
https://www.dianeosis.org/en/2017/08/impact-climate-change-greek-economy/
Average annual temperature-Greece

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Highest average temperature in summer-Greece

source: Harris et al. (2014)

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Minimun average temperature in winter-Greece

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Number of days with extreme fire risk- Attica

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Source - interactive map of Oikoskopio WWF Hellas:
http://www.oikoskopio.gr/map/index.php?lng=en-US

Number of dry days- Attica

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Vegetation and plants seem to be affected the most by climate change.

Also the turtles in Hymettos may be vulnerable to changes in seasons duration.

On the other hand some species may be benefited.
Cretzschmar's bunting (emberisa caesia), witch lives in shrublands at low altitudes, colonize areas after a wildfire.

In addition, since Hymettos is almost entirely surrounded by residencies, migration of species would be difficult in case of extreme climate changes.

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I really enjoyed the process of searching information for Mt Hymettos. Not only because i learned new things about a place that i like, but also because i interacted with people who care about nature and are extremely helpful! So, special thanks go to people from Hellenic Ornithological Society, Filodassiki Enossi Athinon, Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature and Spyros Oikonomidis- an expert in orchids :)
Graffiti on water tank , Agistri

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Melina Merkouri Theater, Vyronas

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Thank you for reading! :)