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Birds of Mt Hymettos. Nikos Tsiopelas- Hellenic Ornithological Society

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Hello, i'm Katerina! I live in Athens, Greece's capital. Greece belongs to the Mediterranean Basin hotspot.

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Acropolis of Athens

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Athens, is one of the oldest named cities in the world, having been continuously inhabited for at least 5000 years.
Is located in Attic peninsula or Attica which  projecting into the Saronic Gulf (Aegean Sea).
Is partially surrounded by four mountains: Hymettos, Penteli, Parnitha and Aigaleo. Has many hills and three historical rivers:  Cephissus, Ilisos and Eridanos. Unfortunately, their size was significantly reduced in the last 100 years due to the city's expansion.
Close to Athens there are three lakes: Marathonas, Vouliagmeni and Beletsi.

Geological formation of Attica: http://www.uqac.ca/mhiggins/athen.htm
Athens's ancient rivers : http://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/gr/02_DELTIA/Rivers.aspx
History of Athens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Athens

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I would like to provide some information  about Mount Hymettos since it's a place close to where i live and i enjoy go hiking.
Also there is  a quick mention to Parnitha, an important mountain of Attica's area.
Hope you'll find this presentation interesting! ;)
Hymettos, a nice place for hiking

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During a protracted mountain-building episode that lasted from about 160 million to 25 million years ago, one limestone-covered microcontinent after another collided with the edge of Eurasia, creating the land of peninsular Greece.
source:https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/travels-geology-peninsular-greece-gorgeous-state-collapse
satellite image,Nasa

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http://www.uqac.ca/mhiggins/gcga/Chap%202.pdf

The Olympus National Park Greece

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Parnitha is the highest mountain of Attica peninsula with an elevation of 1,413 m. Parnitha's national park was created in 1961 and it is a protected habitat for wildfowl. Has been included in Natura 2000 network.
About 1,000 species of plants can be found on the mountain, including crocus and tulips. The mountain also provides a native habitat to its red deer (Cervus elaphus) population. Also has big forests of aleppo pine and greek fir.
Parnitha suffered extensive damage from a wildfire on June 2007.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parnitha

Info about vegetation, fauna and flora before the wildfire of 2007 http://www.parnitha-np.gr/welcome.htm

The fir forest in Parnitha: How much genetic diversity was lost in the fire of 2007?https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281626254_The_fir_forest_in_Parnitha_How_much_genetic_diversity_was_lost_in_the_fire_of_2007

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View from Taksiarhon hill, Hymettos

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Mount Hymettos is located at the eastern side of the Athens Basin and has a total area of ​​81,230 acres.
It is a long and narrow mountain with its highest peak, Evzonas, reaching 1,026 m. It has a total length of 20 km. A deep gorge separates the north from the southern part of the mountain. It has in total  about 50 caves and chasms.

From a geological point of view, Hymettos belongs to the Cycladic zone. Its rocks contain limestones, schists, and large masses of marble and marble shale.

Abiotic characteristics
The climate of the area is Mediterranean, with a characteristic feature of dry and warm summer and mild and rainy winter. Average annual air temperature varies from 16.5 ° C to 19 ° C with a cooler month in January and warmer months in July and August. The average annual rainfall is approximately 400 mm and is distributed over the rainy season from October to April. Average relative humidity is around 65%, hailstorms are rare and snow days are minimal.

https://www.attiko-prasino.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=1137&language=en-US

Snow in Hymettos, something rare and beautiful, 2019

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Most famous caves of Hymettos are: Koutouki, Nymfoliptos and Spileo Liontariou (Lion's Cave)
photo: Koutouki Cave

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Hymettos has an ecosystem with high biodiversity. Has a large number of plant and animal species, and many of them are rare endemic or protected. Also is a habitat for many terrestrial birds and birds of prey.

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The flora of the mountain includes about 650 taxonomic units (species, subspecies) of Pteridophytes and Spermatophytes, of which 54 are endemic in Greece, while 59 are protected by Greek legislation and international conventions.
More than 40 species of orchids, one of Europe's highest orchid densities in proportion to the area, have been recorded in the aesthetic forest of Hymettus.
http://www.spay.gr/index.php/o-ymittos/dasos-oikosystima

Amateur recordings of Hymettos's plants :
https://mthymettosgreece.com/portfolio-category/all-plants-on-hymettos/

http://floraattica.blogspot.com/search/label/%CE%A5%CE%BC%CE%B7%CF%84%CF%84%CF%8C%CF%82

http://ymittos-plants.blogspot.com/

Photo: Centauria hymettia
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280566940_A_new_yellow-flowered_species_of_Centaurea_Asteraceae_from_Mt_Imittos_Attica_Greece

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Endemic plants of Greece, found in Hymettos

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Endemic plants of Greece, found in Hymettos

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Among the endemic species in the area are

Centaurea pentelica

Malcolmia graeca

Dianthus serratifolius

Campanula celsii

Onosma kaheirei

Scorzonera crocifolia

Silene rigidula

Crocus laevigatus

Cerastium candidissimum

Consolida tenuissima

Ophrys argolica

Ophrys aesculapii

Ophrys  fusca laureotica

http://www.spay.gr/index.php/o-ymittos/dasos-oikosystima

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Numerous species of animals are found in Hymettos, depending on the time of the year. There is a great variety of birds, while turtles, foxes, ferrets and bats in the caves of the mountain can be seen.
Also, butterflies are abundant.

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There are several species of bats, three of which are protected (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Rhinolophus blasii, Rhinolophus hipposideros).
Other mammals that have been recorded in the wider area are Meles meles, Mustela nivalis, Martes foina, Vulpes vulpes, Lepus europaeus, Erinaceus europaeus.
Vulpes vulpes

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Two protected turtle species (Testudo hermanni, Testudo marginata) are found in Hymettos.
There are also species of snakes and lizards (Elaphe situla, Natrix natrix, Coluber najatum, Vipera ammodytes, Lacerta viridis).

Testudo marginata

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The Sardinian marginated tortoise ( T. m. sarda) is the name usually used to separate the population on the island of Sardinia. These tortoises have less strongly bent tiles in the posterior of their carapaces, and the posterior of the carapace is almost smooth compared with the saw-like T. m.

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Bees and a multitude of butterflies (lepidoptera) can be found in Hymettos. Seven butterfly species are protected:

Papilio alexanori

Anthoharis gruneri

Hipparchia aristaeus

Agrodiaetus admetus

Freyeria trochylus

Pieris krueperi

Spialia plomidis

Two species of cave crickets of the genus Dolichopoda (Dolichopoda insignis and Dolichopoda petrochilosi) occur in Koutouki and others caves.

The butterflies of Mount Hymettos: http://www.academia.edu/9107415/The_butterflies_Lepidoptera_Papilionoidea_and_Hesperioidea_of_Mt._Imittos_Attiki_Greece

Honeybee, Hymettos

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A total of at least one hundred species of birds have been recorded, most of which are highly sedentary, while others are migratory species or seasonal visitors. These species include:

Buteo rufinus

Falco Peregrinus

Lanius Collurio

Lullula arborea

Circaetus gallicus

Caprimulgus europaseu

There is also a wide variety of passerine birds, including protected species, such as Sylvia ruepelli and Emperiza caesia. Other notable bird species are the Athene noctua, Thyto alba and Falco tinnunculus.

source for column Fauna: http://www.spay.gr/index.php/o-ymittos/dasos-oikosystima
Sylvia rupelli

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Malcomia Gracea

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Crocus laevigatus

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Consolida tenuissima

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Centauria pentelica

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From 1946 Philodassiki Enosi Athinon undertook the reforestation of woodlands of 3,000 acres around Kaisariani Monastery, Kalopoula and Kaisariani, creating the Kaisariani forest.
The vegetation of the Ymittos Aesthetic Forest consists of the following main forest species
• Pinus brutia Ten.
• Pinus halepensis Mill.
• Pinus pinea L.
• Cupressus sempervirens var. horizontalis L.
• Cupressus sempervirens var. pyramidalis L.
• Cercis siliquastrum L.
• Quercus pubescens Willd.
• Quercus ilex L.
• Ceratonia siliqua L.
• Cupressus arizonica var. glabra Greene
Also: Oak (Quercus aegilops L.), Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), Acacia cyanophylla, Eucalyptus globulus Labillus, Parcinsonia sp. (Schinus molle), Pyrus amygdaliformis and Platanus orientalis L.)
https://www.attiko-prasino.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=1137&language=en-US

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Paranemonia vouliagmeniensis, or Greek anemone, is an endangered sea anemone that occurs only in Lake Vouliagmeni. The lake's status as a spa has contributed negatively to the species's livelihood and population, while no formal population monitoring has taken place. It has been estimated that the population has decreased by over 50% from 2007-2017.

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https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/162112/5541120

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Belongs to the class of gastropoda and can be found only in Hymettos and the surrounding area. The population is listed as critically endangered.
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/171934/6810696

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Propably the word Hymettos comes from the word thymus (common thyme) that slowly became Thymet-Hymet-Hymettos.
https://www.attiko-prasino.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=1143&language=en-US

Since antiquity Hymettos was famous for the phryganic areas which were suitable for beekeeping.
During the Middle Ages the descriptions of the tourists mainly concerned the northeastern part of the mountain. Frequent reference was made to beekeeping, bushes and herbs, while references to tree vegetation were few. In the  19th century Hymettos and the surrounding area had very low vegetation. For that reason  in 1877 began the first reforestation program in the surrounding hills (e.g. Lycabettus).

The current vegetation is the result of many long-lasting redevelopment efforts.
Already in the early 1900's, attempts had been made to reforest the low parts of the mountain. From 1946, Philodassiki Enosi Athinon undertook the reforestation of the woodlands of 3,000 acres. During the period 1977-1990, almost all of the western side of the mountain had been reforested.
http://www.spay.gr/index.php/o-ymittos/dasos-oikosystima

Architecture
According to Herodotus (484 –425 BC), there were several Pelasgian settlements in Hymettos and the surrounding area. Pausanias (110 – 180 AD) reports that there was a statue of Hymettius Zeus , as well as altars of Ombrius Jupiter and Apollo the Foreseeing.

According to historical sources, near the monasteries of Kessariani, Asteriou, Karea, there were ancient temples. On the west side of the mountain there were marble mining quarries, which were used for the construction of monuments in Hellenistic and Roman times.
https://www.attiko-prasino.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=1143&language=en-US

Ancient mining quarries:
https://epdf.tips/hymettiana-ii-an-ancient-quarry-on-mt-hymettos-attica-greece.html

Kaisariani's monastery

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Wildfires, urbanization and pollution are some of the main causes of the Hymettos's ecosystem degradation.
Hymettos, Vyronas

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Highway intersects Hymettos

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The impact of the 2015 wildfire was significant

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Institutional framework of Hymettus protection 

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Institutional framework of Hymettus protection 

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Mount Hymettus is institutionally protected by Presidential Decree 544 D / 1978. Almost all of the areas are included in the Network of Natura 2000.

https://www.attiko-prasino.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=1143&language=en-US

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Organisations and volunteers set up tree-planting and public awareness events regularly.

Hymettus Protection and Development Association ( Spay) consists of 11 adjacent municipalities and aims at protecting and upgrading the natural environment of Hymettos and raising the public awareness.
http://www.spay.gr/index.php/o-spav

There are many non governmental organizations that are active in the field of environmental protection in Athens. Some of them are presented in the following column.

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Manos Hadjidakis - Hymettus (Instrumental)

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Close to the southern boundaries of Hymettos is located Vouliagmeni lagoon. A small water lake fed by underground currents seeping through the mountain. The lake hosts the only existing population of a species of sea anemone, Paranemonia vouliagmeniensis, which is enlisted as endangered.
Populations of the fish Garra rufa can also be found.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Vouliagmeni

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Sunset in Hymettos's hill

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Reintroduction of grey wolves in Yellowstone 

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Reintroduction of grey wolves in Yellowstone 

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Come up with possible reasons for the decision to reintroduce grey wolves into the National Park. From the three options below, select the reason you find most likely.

I believe the right answer is:
3. The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.
However I should add that the introduction of wolves was one possible solution of the problem. It was considered the optimal after many years of scientific studies that showed  the importance of wolves and that they can restore the ecosystem's balance.

By 1926 was considered that grey wolf packs had been extirpated from Yellowstone park. This caused a significantly increase of elk populations which led to forest degradation. The elk were multiplying inside the park and woody species such as aspen and cottonwood suffered from overgrazing.

Elk population control methods  (trapping, moving and if not effective killing the elk) took place for more than 30 years.

From 1940 scientists began to study the predator-prey ecology of the park and the role of the wolves.

By the 1960's, cultural and scientific understanding of ecosystems was changing attitudes toward the wolf and other large predators.

Preservation acts that followed opened practically the way :  Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 listed grey wolves as endangerd. And Endangered Species Act of 1973 obligated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop restoration plans for each species designated as endangered.

In 1987, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a recovery plan.

In 1991 Congress directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop an Environmental Impact Statement  for the express purpose of reintroducing wolves. The final statement was published on 1994.

There were some objections, but were overcome and in 1995 the process of physically introducing the wolves was started.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_wolves_in_Yellowstone

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Hellenic Ornithological Society  is a conservation non governmental organization for the protection of wild birds and their habitats in Greece.
Since 1994, has been a partner of Birdlife International, which led to the inclusion of the Important Bird Areas for the birds of Greece in the European Network of Protected Areas Natura 2000.

Is very active in the field and has a network of volunteers who contribute in interesting projects such as bird observation and environmental awareness.

http://www.ornithologiki.gr/page_in.php?tID=2685

Western rock nuthatch - Wikipedia

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Philodassiki Enossi Athinon was founded in 1899 in Athens. Its main object was the reforestation of derelict land, the encouragement of forest-lovers and the protection of the natural environment.
Since then, Philodassiki reforested many areas in Athens (e.g. hills), created the Aesthetic forest of Kaisariani and  also contributed in reforestation projects outside of Athens. Nowadays is responsible for the management of Kaisariani's Aesthetic forest, for conservation and reforestation projects and is very active in the field of  environmental education and public awareness.

https://www.philodassiki.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=137&lang=en
Take a look at the interesting story of Hymettos's reforestation in the link above :)

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Please follow the link to see my padlet for themes 2 and 3.
Thank you!
https://padlet.com/xriskate/lzn0mvwghdh7

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Biodiversity in Greece
https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/gr/gr-nbsap-01-en.pdf

https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/gr/gr-nr-05-en.pdf

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Hellenic society for the protection of Nature
https://eepf.gr/en/content/actions

WWF Greece
https://www.wwf.gr/en/

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Garra rufa, the red garra (is also called doctor fish, and nibble fish) is a small species of cyprinid fish that is native to rivers, streams, ponds and lakes in Anatolia and the West Asian regions.
Since the early 21st century, Garra rufa have been integrated into a spa treatment where they feed on the stratum corneum skin layer of patients with psoriasis.