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Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. Thus, the term "biodiversity" embraces all of life on Earth. Biodiversity is usually examined at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. These three levels correspond to the same number of fundamental and hierarchically linked levels of life organization.

The need for coordinated international action to protect biodiversity arose, first and foremost, from the scientifically documented discovery of global biodiversity loss and from the international recognition of its value to humanity. The Rio Conference in 1992 was the culmination of the global recognition of the need to preserve biodiversity and the international political recognition of the term 'biodiversity'. The purpose of the International Convention on Biological Diversity, signed in Rio in 1992, as defined in Article 1 thereof, is "to preserve biological diversity, to use its ingredients in a sustainable way and to share equitably and equitably the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources ... '. Greece is a contracting party to the International Convention on Biological Diversity. Biodiversity is necessary to preserve life on Earth. Its true value is incalculable, as it enables us and all living organisms to adapt to a changing environment.

Biodiversity is vital for our health and well-being. It improves our quality of life and enhances our standard of living, contributes to social well-being and cohesion and offers new opportunities for investment and work. Over the last decades, humanity has benefited greatly from growth, which has enriched our lives. At the same time, much of this growth has been combined with biodiversity degradation.

Loss of biodiversity is a cause for concern, not only because of its particular intrinsic value, but also because biodiversity is an element of the basis on which competitiveness, growth and employment are based, as well as improved living conditions (European Commission 2006).

Loss of biodiversity entails degradation of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are defined as processes and functions provided by the natural environment and beneficial to humans. Among the above-mentioned services2 are the production of food, fuel, fiber and pharmaceuticals, regulation of water, air and climate, maintenance of soil fertility and the nutrient cycle.

The Millennium Assessment 2005, which provides an internationally recognized framework for categorizing these services stresses that most of them these services are downgraded. The basic conclusion is that we are scattering the earth's natural resources capital and jeopardizing the ability of ecosystems to support future generations. Any short-term benefits arise, will undoubtedly be thwarted by massive long-term losses. Deterioration can only be addressed if there are substantial changes in policy and practice.

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Greece, particularly gifted with respect to biodiversity in the other European countries of the European Union, has a corresponding burden of moral responsibility for its preservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that will arise from the use of genetic resources for generations to come.Greece is distinguished by its great biological diversity, which is one of the largest in Europe and the Mediterranean. This is due to factors such as its geographical location on the borders of three continents, its complex geological history and its great topographical diversity (intense relief, extensive fragmentation of the bog, large number of caves, presence of the sea, relatively mild human interventions), which set the conditions for the development and support of a wide variety of plants, animals, ecosystems and landscapes . As a result

the biodiversity of Greece today, consisting of European, Asian, African and endemic species, is estimated to be about 5,500 species of higher plants, 436 bird species, 116 species of mammals, 79 species of reptiles and amphibians, 110 species of freshwater fish , 447 species of seafood, about 4000 species of invertebrates. One of the most important characteristics of the biodiversity of Greece is the high endemism in most animal and plant groups. Many endemic species have very limited spread (eg on a single island) and are therefore very susceptible to disturbances.

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Flora

For Greece, there are 5,500 plant species of higher plants. The percentage of endemic species is about 13% of all known species. Approximately 4% of the species are considered threatened and, on an equal basis, protected under current legislation. The Red Book on Rare and Endangered Plants of Greece (Foitos et al., 2010) includes 300 species and subspecies of the Greek flora. Each of them is one of the hazard categories contained in the IUCN system.

Fauna

Regarding vertebrates, in the Red Book on the Animals of Greece (Legaki and Marangou 2009), 418 species were evaluated, accounting for approximately 40% of Greek vertebrate species (including all species of amphibians, reptiles and sweet fish water in Greece). Also, the situation of 591 invertebrate species from 19 different animal groups was evaluated, a figure that is only a small percentage of the invertebrates of Greece. Of the 418 vertebrate species evaluated, 171 (40.90%) were classified as risk categories. This figure represents 14.65% of the total number of vertebrates in Greece. Also, 39 species were rated as Nearly Endangered (9.33% of the evaluated and 3.34% of the total), while 52 species were considered Incompletely Known.

The most endangered group of vertebrates is freshwater fish, as 38.58% of all species occurring in Greece are threatened, and local disappearances are found. Followed by amphibians, with 27.27% of all species occurring in Greece being classified as risk category, while birds, as the most crowded group, display the highest number of species per hazard category.

In Greece, there are 182 animal species of Community interest, according to Directive 92/43 / EEC. According to the results of the 2nd National Report on the implementation of Directive 92/43 / EEC for the period 2000-2006 (Chrysopolitos and Hatzicharalambous 2008), there are major shortcomings in the layout, range and population sizes of these species the conservation status of 65% of animal species is unknown (118 out of 182 species). 14% are in satisfactory condition (25 out of 182 species), and the corresponding percentage is in poor condition (26 out of 182 species), while the remaining 7% are in poor conservation status (13 out of 182 species). Knowledge gaps are greater in invertebrates (for 45 out of 46 species the condition is unknown for one species too poor), in mammals (75% in unknown condition, 14% in poor condition and the remaining 11% in poor condition ) and in reptiles (57% in an unknown state, 23% in poor condition, 11% in satisfactory condition and the remaining 9% in poor condition). 62% of fish are in good conservation status.Greece hosts 85 habitat types of Annex I of Directive 92/43 / EEC, of ​​which almost one third belongs to the forest category (27 types or 32%). Coastal and halibut habitats account for about 16.4% of the habitat types of Community interest occurring in Greece (14 out of 85 types) and descending descendants of freshwater habitats (9 or 10.6%), coastal dunes and (7 types or 8,2%), rocky habitats and caves (6 types or 7%), peat bogs (8 types or 9,4% each), natural and semi-natural turf formations and marshes (4 types or 4.7%), and finally, temperate lands and scrub (2 types or 2.3%).

According to the 2nd National Report on the implementation of this Directive for the period 2000-2006 (Chrysopolitos and Chatziharalambous 2008), 49 types of habitats, ie 58% of the species occurring in Greece, are in a satisfactory conservation status, 26 types (30% ) are in an inadequate state and 7 types of habitats are in poor conservation status. All of these 7 are all in the "coastal and haloetic habitats" category, indicating that half of the habitats in this category (7 out of 14) are in poor condition. The status of three types of Annex I habitats is unknown, of which two are bog-bogs and one is coastal (Ammurations covered continuously by deeper water.)

Wetlands

In our country there is a very wide variety of natural ecosystems, terrestrial, wetland and marine. Their main characteristic is their high variety, the naturalness of their composition and the degradation of their productive potential, as well as the great ability to physically recuperate them. Regarding wetland ecosystems, 411 wetlands in Greece are reported in the up-to-date census of the Greek Wetland Biotope Sites (Fytoka et al. 2000), most of them (2/3) in northern Greece. A recent census of the wetlands of the Aegean islands by WWF Ellas (Katsadorakis and Paragamian 2007) identified 352 wetlands in 51 islands and islets of the Aegean except Crete, of which more than half are less than 10 acres. Existing wetlands are many, many types and rich in biodiversity. The most important 10 wetlands have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and have been included in the protected area management bodies established by Law 3044/2002.

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Threats to biodiversity

Globally, the Millennium Assessment examines the root causes of changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services and distinguishes them in five categories: demography, economy, socio - political causes, culturally - religious and scientific - technological. Although biodiversity and ecosystem services are changing due to natural causes, current changes are due to these, anthropogenic, operative causes. These deeper root causes are the factors that allow or cause, in the past and today, the creation of direct causes. The major direct causes of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem services are habitat change , including land use changes, river arrangements and water abstractions, loss of coral formations, and damage to the bottom of the site

seafarers, climate change , invasive alien species , overexploitation of species and pollution .

Each of these causes will have a significant impact on biodiversity in the 21st century. Particular elements of this Climate Change Assessment report indicate:

Climate change . Elements from all continents and most oceans show that many natural systems are affected by climate change at regional level, and in particular by temperature increases.

Climate change is a global threat. The effects of climate change are becoming more and more visible. Scientists believe that climate change is already causing more frequent incidents of drought, floods and increasing malaria. Other phenomena attributable to climate change are the increase in hurricane incidents and forest fires. Among the long-term impacts are the rise in sea level and damage to crops that can lead to food shortages. Many African countries are among the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Recent research has confirmed the wide range of impacts of climate change, including agriculture, fisheries, soil, biodiversity, water resources, coastal zones, heat and cold-related mortality and flood damage . Europe will not be an exception. According to the European Commission's Green Paper (2007), Europe's most vulnerable regions are the following:

• Southern Europe and the whole of the Mediterranean basin due to both high temperature rise and rainfall reduction in areas where water scarcity is already occurring.

• The mountainous regions, especially the Alps, where the rapid rise in temperatures causes extensive melting of the snow and ice, resulting in a change in the flow of rivers.

• Coastal zones due to the rise in sea level associated with an increased risk of storms.

• The densely populated floodplains, due to the increased risk of storms, intense rainfall and instantaneous flooding, capable of causing extensive damage to settlements and infrastructure.

What specifically concerns the effects of climate change on the biodiversity of Greece, in the context of Harrison et al. (2006) the SPECIES model was used to simulate the possible climatic area of ​​47 species across Europe. From the Greek habitats, it was chosen to study the phrygana Sarcopoterium spinosum , which is included in the Habitats Directive. Of the species selected for this habitat, Vulpes vulpes shows no change in its climate in all scenarios of climate change, whereas the two species Genista acanthoclada and Sarcopoterium spinosum show a large increase in their climate (386% and 198% according to a script, respectively), spreading from the South-West, through Central Northern Europe

and along West France and Spain and for Sarcopoterium spinosum , further north to Scandinavia. Among the Mediterranean hardwood oak species, the species Quercus macrolepis follows a similar pattern of growth, showing an increase mainly through the Balkans and France, while Dendrocops medius shows a decrease in the central European climatic area but accompanied by a northern spread to Scandinavia remarkable in relation to one of the scenarios of climate change. The species Olea europea gains more space than all types of olives, growing to the west and northwest of its spreading. The species Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) and the species Sciurus anomalus (Persian squirrel) lose a spreading surface from the west and southwest. Appropriate space for Sciurus anomalus in Central Europe is becoming more fragmented, while Matricaria chamomilla is gaining ground even further north to Scandinavia. Three species are facing a significant reduction in the possible climate in Greece: Matricaria chamomilla , Sciurus anomalus and Quercus macrolepis, losing 88%, 98% and 56% respectively according to one of the climate change scenarios. However, these species are not particularly vulnerable at European level and for this reason the issue has only national dimensions (Berry et al., 2007).

Regarding some of the mammals of Greece and according to Levinsky et al. (2007), the Cretan endemic species Acomys minous and Crocidura zimmermanni are expected to disappear in scenarios of mild but severe climate change on the assumption that there is no possibility of migration. The same applies to Myomimus roachi and Sciurus anomalus . However, the endemic species, represented in the model by the totality of their climatic positions, are more vulnerable to climate change (based on the assumption of non-migration) than other species, mainly because of their more limited spread (Schwartz, 2006). Endemic species are also expected to gain more climate-friendly space than non-endemic species. They generally have very little spread, so a change in some "quadrats" of terrain increases or decreases their proliferation proportionally much more than would occur in species with wide spread. According to the same work, the largest reductions in species abundance are expected to occur in southern Europe, Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Greece, where the majority of Mediterranean islands are expected to lose up to 100% under conditions current abundance of their species.

The analysis of the vasophytes and the local climate along the altitude gradient in the White Mountains of Crete and the assessment of the possible consequences of climate change on the diversity of plants in the alpine and alpine zones have been studied by Kazakis et al. (2007). The study provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the relationship between vegetation and the environment for four peaks in the mountain range (1664-2339 m). Variety and species replacement were calculated in conjunction with the florid similarity between peaks. A total of 70 species belonging to 23 different families, of which 20 species are indigenous, were recorded. Cretan endemics dominate these great altitudes. The diversity and replacement of species decreases with the elevation of the altitude. The two highest peaks showed the greatest florid resemblance. Only 20% of the total flora recorded appears on the highest peak, while 10% is common among the mountain peaks. A total decrease of 4.96 ° C was observed along the altitude difference of 675 meters. Considering a scenario of warming, the habitats between the subalpine and alpine zones are likely to exhibit the greatest replacement of the species. Reports to the south are likely to be invasive first by thermophilic species, while exposure to the North is likely to be more resilient to change. The distribution of species will also depend on the availability of habitats. Many endangered local endemic species will be affected first by the expected climate change.

Finally, with regard to inland fish, IUCN's Red Data List shows that 60 of the 127 indigenous species (~ 47%) that occur in Greece (Economidis 2009) are threatened from climate change. Of these 60 species of fish: a) 31 are endemic, that is, they only occur in the water systems of our country and nowhere else on the planet, and b) 35 are classified (Economidis 2009) in any of the three risk categories (10 Critically Endangered , 11 Hazardous and 14 Vulnerable) according to IUCN criteria.

Effects on forest biodiversity
In Greece, three phenomena of changes in forest biodiversity could be attributed to or linked to climate change (Dafis et al.). These are:

• The necrosis of fir trees, especially in drylands, in the Peloponnese and in the rest of Greece. The phenomenon first appeared in mass form in 1989 after two dry and extremely hot summers of 1987 and 1988. It was initially attributed to an epidemic of insect bark beetle. However, the bark beetles act secondary and are favored by the weakening of the trees. In Parnonas, Taygetos and Mainalo the percentage of dried trees ranged from 20 to 40%. This phenomenon also occurred in Central and Northern Greece in a smaller percentage, from 10 to 20%. In Mount Olympus almost all of the firmen who had invaded the belt of broadleaf broadleafs were dyed. This necrosis continues to this day with less, perhaps, intensity.

• The invasion of conifers, especially of hybrid fir and black pine, into broadleaf forests, especially Quercus frainetto , Quercus cerris , chestnut and less beech. This invasion can also be exacerbated by soil degradation due to the marshalling of these forests and consequently by the reduction of the competitive capacity of broadleaf species, which have a lower tolerance range than conifers, especially pine species.

• The necrosis of forest pine trees in the Pieria Mountains. The pine forest migrated to our country during the glaciation period, from various parts of Central Europe. This is evidenced by the huge range of genetic diversity of the species in Pieria. To a small extent, you can find all the forms of the forest pine from the fine-toed, smooth-edged, thin-walled and short-lancely alpine forms with a completely pyramidal crown up to the short-hills, curved corners, grooves and wide forms of the Polish plains. The population of the pine forest of Pieria is a valuable pan-European gene bank. Necrosis is caused by fungal and insect infestation, which may be secondary.

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Established in 1964, The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.

The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive. It provides information about range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and conservation actions that will help inform necessary conservation decisions.
A large proportion of Greek vertebrates and more than half of invertebrate species, for which there is sufficient scientific data, are under threat.This is the result of the Red Data Book of Endangered Animals of Greece, updated by the environmental organizations Hellenic Zoological Society, Hellenic Ornithological Society, Hellenic Reptile Society, Hellenic Research Institute of Speleology and WWF Hellas.
The Red Catalog of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a dynamic database of species that are most at risk of extinction in their natural environment. This database is updated regularly, and aggregated analyzes and statistics are published every 4-5 years. The Greek Red Book, which was updated after 17 years, includes data on vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) and, for the first time in our country, marine and terrestrial invertebrates (flora, land snails, spiders, lepidopteran, coleoptera, toothpaste, etc.).
Below are summarized the results:

The status of 422 species of vertebrates and 591 invertebrate species was evaluated, based on internationally accepted criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In total, 15% (171 species) of vertebrate species in Greece are classified as risk categories (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable) and are likely to disappear in the short or long term.

In invertebrates, 50.2% of the species evaluated (297 species) were included in the risk category.

Of the vertebrates evaluated, freshwater fish and amphibians are more threatened, with nearly 37% and 27% of the total being assigned a risk category.

The main threat to all species is the loss and degradation of their habitats. For species with limited spread, such as many endemic, even local changes can be fatal.

As regards the conservation measures required, the need for law enforcement and the development of management plans is strongly highlighted. Information actions are also important, particularly with regard to specific groups of endangered species such as fish or reptiles.

"The Red Book of Endangered Animals in Greece will prove to be extremely useful in the effort to protect, preserve and manage biodiversity in our country. The basic ambition of the Hellenic Zoological Society is its continuous, valid and timely updating based on substantial primary research. But for that, the good intentions of the scientists are not enough. The state needs a clear framework of objectives and mechanisms for the protection of biodiversity that will be at the core of the constant strengthening of research in this area, "said Sino Gkookas, President of the Hellenic Zoological Society.
For her part, Mrs. Panagiota Marangou, Project Co-ordinator (WWF Hellas), points out: "The Red Book is not only a catalog but also a rich source of data on threatened species, their ecology, threats they face, and information on conservation actions that, if implemented, can prevent or, at least, reduce the risk of further population decline or disappearance. The Red Book is a tool that now needs to be used to select protection priorities, design and, most importantly, implement the necessary actions, "concludes Marangu.

1. The task of reviewing and updating the Red Book of Endangered Animals in Greece was implemented by the Hellenic Zoological Society in the framework of the Operational Program "Environment" 2000-2006, Measure 5.2, "Environmental Awareness", which was financed up to 80% European Regional Development Fund and the remaining part of national resources. For its implementation, the Hellenic Zoological Society has collaborated with the Hellenic Ornithological Society, WWF Hellas, the Hellenic Reptile Society and the Hellenic Research Institute of Speleology. The Red Book is however mainly the result of the collective work of a large number of Greek zoologists. Finally, more than 100 zoologists have collaborated in species reviews and this is the result of truly collaborative collaboration between many researchers, universities, institutes and non-governmental environmental organizations under the scientific supervision of the Hellenic Zoological Society.

2. Based on IUCN's assessment system at country level (as in the Greek Red Book), 10 categories are identified: nine general and one for regional assessments:

Extinction - Extinct (EX)

Extinct in the Wild (EW)

Local Extinct - Regionally Extinct (RE)

Critically Endangered - Critically Endangered (CR)

Endangered - Endangered

Vulnerable (VU)

Nearly Threatened (NT)

Reduced Interest - Least Concern (LC)

Insufficient Known - Data Deficient (DD)

Unrated - Not Evaluated (NE)

Categories Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable are considered and referred to as risk categories .

The giant is no longer on the list of the most endangered species after China's efforts to protect it, as announced by the International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUCN).

On the contrary, the "Red List" with the most endangered species has been joined by the East African gorilla, the world's largest primate , who has been the victim of the poachers.

Four of the six species of great apes (East African and West African gorillas, Borovets and Sumatra) are now on the list of species facing a critical threat and are just one step away from extinction, while the other two species (chimpanzee and bonobos) are at risk, as was known at the IUCN International Conference in Hawaii.

It has always been "degraded" (which is good news in this case) from a "threatened" to a "vulnerable" species, as its population is recovering because China has warmed up the case. The giant population is now estimated at around 2,060 (of which 1,864 are adult animals). However, IUCN warns that this recovery may prove temporary because climate change is set to eradicate by the end of the century above a third of the bamboo areas where everything lives.

On the other hand, the giant East African gorilla has been steadily declining as no government has received its salvation just as warm. According to the latest estimates, its population is no more than 5,000 and shows a decrease of over 70% over the last two decades. IUCN's "red list" includes 82,954 species, both animals and plants. Nearly a third (23,928) are threatened with extinction. Of these, 5,107 face the greatest (critical) threat, 7,602 are considered to be threatened, 11,219 vulnerable and 5,323 almost threatened. About 39,000 species, almost half of the list, do not face a particular threat problem, while about 13,500 there are still sufficient data to assess their situation.

In any case, the IUCN list does not include all species on Earth, yet it is considered a representative indicator of biodiversity on our planet, so it is called the "barometer of life".