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Welcome to the island of Crete in Greece! 

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Welcome to the island of Crete in Greece! 

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The plant endemism rate of this ecoregion is about 10% from a total indigenous flora of 1,600 species. Most of the endemic species are ancient relics, which are mainly found on the three main mountain ranges, mainly Lefka Ori. Among the most significant endemic plants to be mentioned are a rare and very endangered small tree, Zelkova abelicea, as well as Cephalanthera cucullata, Centaurea baldaccii, Campanula hierapetrae, Bupleurum kakiskalae, Bellevalia brevipedicellata, Astragalus idaeus, Arumpurpureospathum, Anchusa caespitosa, Origanum dictamnus, Orchis prisca, and Onobrychis sphaciotica.

While faunal diversity for this ecoregion is significant, endemism is low. Two small mammals are endemic to the island, a shrew (Crocidura caneae) and a spiny-mouse (Acomys minous). The rare and endemic wild goat (Capra hircus cretensis) is still present in few places on the island.

These forests are considered to be an important Center of Bird Diversity. The high mountains are one of the last strongholds of the endangered Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus). About 83 bird species are recorded for the island. Three amphibians and 12 reptiles are thought to be native to Crete; none are endemic.

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The nearby Balkan Peninsula is one of the richest areas in the Mediterranean for plant diversity. On Crete especially there are 210 plant species per 600 square miles (compared to only 2 or 3 species in comparable areas on mainland Europe). Within Crete’s rich flora — 1,700 plant species —is a high percentage of endemic plants: 160 species occur nowhere else in the world. Among these, 13 species face extinction.

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The rich fauna of Crete, like its flora, is a result of the island’s geographic position, its long isolation from surrounding land masses, the patchiness of its ecosystems, the bold relief of its topography and its long history of human activity. On the main migration route from Africa to central and northern Europe, the island is exceptionally rich in birds of prey. Both of Greece’s only 2 native mammal species are found only on Crete: the Cretan Shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni) and the Cretan Spiny Mouse (Acomys minous). A very rich fauna of invertebrates includes many endemic species; in some groups, such as land snails or darkling beetles, over 40% of the species are unique to Crete.

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There is a high potential of human impact, mainly due to mismanagement of pastures and grazing in mountain areas, growing tourism development in the northern coastal zone (mainly house building), and intensive agriculture in the southern coastal zone (pesticides and land clearance). Concrete production and road construction are devastating large areas of land with significant native habitats. Plant harvesting may be a long-term threat to some endemic plants.

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Does Crete belong to a biodiversity hotspot area? 

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Does Crete belong to a biodiversity hotspot area? 

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Plant richness in the Mediterranean is very high. There are regional mini‐hotspots within the larger
hotspot, characterized by areas of high plant richness and narrow endemism. The mountains of Crete are considered to be one of these hotspots (Valavanidis and Vlachogianni, 2013)

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There are approximately 1750 flowering plants on Crete.

Represented by 93 families and about 654 genera

142 Flowers are introduced or possibly introduced = 8.11%

203 Flowers are endemic to Crete = 11.60%

278 Flowers are endemic to Crete, Greece & Greek islands =15.88%

415 Flowers are enemic to the E. Mediterranean area = 23.71%

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Humans have been continuously present on the island since arriving 8,000 years ago during the Neolithic. Notable in this history is the Minoan civilization, which arose 4,800 years ago and lasted for more than 1,000 years. Yet despite this long history of human habitation, the Cretan environment remains very diverse. The high mountains of central and western Crete are its main geographic feature. Its eastern end is the sunniest and driest area of Europe.

Above an altitude of one mile animals and low thorny shrubs have adapted to the extreme alpine conditions. Snow cover lasts for nearly 8 months, while summers are dry and hot. Below the timberline are found forests of cypress, pine, abundant evergreen “prickly oak” and other deciduous oaks, and palms. Maquis or phrygana shrublands characterize the lower elevations, where aromatic plants such as thyme, oregano, laurel and rosemary are predominant. Crete has only one natural lake and, while there are few rivers with year-round running water, streams can be seen everywhere on the island.