# data[].attributes.body
Zizyphus lotus constitutes a pre-desert vegetation type growing in xerophytic Thermo-Mediterranean bioclimate. In Cyprus, the shrubs of Zizyphus lotus (lotus jujube, local name: palloura) occur mainly in the central and eastern part, in areas with semi-desert climate. “Konnara”, as the fruit of palloura is called, are edible and isolated shrubs or small stands are often left at the borders or in the middle of cultivated fields. Nevertheless, the formation of matorral is rare because its main area of distribution has been built or cultivated. Today, the most representative communities of habitat 5220 are to be found in Ammochostos and generally in Messoaria plain as well as at few sites of the hilly zone of central Cyprus. Asparagus stipularis (agreli) and Noaea mucronata (androukliagros) are the characteristic species of Zizyphus matorral, while the shrubs Phagnalon rupestre (asprothymaro) and Thymus capitatus (thyme) participate frequently. A large number of herbs grow among the shrubs.

# data[].attributes.body
Alnus orientalis (oriental alder, local name: skledro) forms riparian forests, pure or with oriental plane or more rarely with willow, at the rivers of Cyprus where the water flow is maintained for longer periods. Oriental alder forests are a special case of the habitat 92C0 (riparian forests with Platanus orientalis). They only occur in Cyprus within the European Union, and are rare in the other countries of their distribution (Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey). The riparian forests provide habitat for many fauna and flora species and they also contribute to the improvement of the local climate and most importantly to the replenishment of groundwater aquifers while preventing erosion, as well.

# data[].attributes.body
Forest stands of Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris (cyprian oak, local name: drys) constitute a type of broadleaved East Mediterranean forest occurring in Cyprus only, within the European Union. The cyprian oak is the unique broadleaved oak in Cyprus. There are giant, perennial trees in many areas and, in the past, the oaks used to be protected in Troodos villages because acorns were used as pig food. In Cyprus, as well as in the neighboring distribution areas, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria, the cyprian oak is believed to have formed big forests in the past, which were logged or cultivated or turned into to pine forests. Nowadays, in Cyprus, there are but relic forest stands or isolated trees, growing on the north and south slopes of Troodos mountain range, on alkaline soils at altitudes of 100-1100 m, and more rarely up to 1700 m. During the last decades it has been observed that Quercus infectoria is capable of colonizing neglected fields and even expanding in the shrub vegetation. This indicates that if disturbances, such as grazing and logging, are absent, the cyprian oak has the potential for regeneration and natural establishment at suitable locations. In these cases the numerous stands of Quercus infectoria, traditionally left at field borders and riverbanks and maintaining a miniature of the typical floristic composition of the habitat, may function as colonization cores.

# data[].attributes.body
Select two of your favourite medicinal plants in your PlantArea. Create an identification card for both of them that includes their scientific name, scientific classification as well as a description of their morphology. Add pictures that provide clear illustrations of their leaves, flowers, etc. Does their scientific name refer to the way they look, smell or taste? Have they been given common (vernacular) names? Which medicinal traits have been attributed to these species? Have these medicinal traits been researched? Add references to papers/articles that discuss them.

# data[].attributes.body
Kingdom: | Plantae
Clade: | Angiosperms
Clade: | Eudicots
Clade: | Rosids
Order: | Malvales
Family: | Malvaceae
Genus: | Hibiscus
Species: | H. rosa-sinensis

Synonyms
Hibiscus arnottii Griff. ex Mast.Hibiscus boryanus DC.Hibiscus cooperi auct.Hibiscus festalis Salisb.Hibiscus liliiflorus Griff. ex Mast.Hibiscus rosiflorus StokesHibiscus storckii Seem.

Perennial, much-branched, ornamental bush.

Leaves: stalked, ovate-prolong.

Flowers: solitary, axillary on terminal leaves, funnel shaped, white, pink, red.

Planted in gardens, parks and by roadsides.

The flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are edible and are used in in hair care as a preparation. It can also be used as a pH indicator. When used, the flower turns acidic solutions to a dark pink or magenta color and basic solutions to green.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have a number of medical uses. It may have some potential in cosmetic skin care; for example, an extract from the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensishas been shown to function as an anti-solar agent by absorbing ultraviolet radiation.

# data[].attributes.body
Kingdom: | Plantae
Clade: | Angiosperms
Clade: | Eudicots
Clade: | Rosids
Order: | Malpighiales
Family: | Violaceae
Genus: | Viola
Species: | V. odorata

Plant up to 15 cm. with perennial, creeping rhizome.

Leaves: arise from rhizome, round or kidney-shaped long stalked.

Flowers: arising from rhizome, long stalked, violet aromatic.

Fruit: triangle capsule.

Flr.-February-April. Ornamental, but native on Troodos.

Viola odorata is commonly known as wood violet, sweet violet, florist's violet, or garden violet. It is a hardy hebaceous flowering perennial.

Viola odorata can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
-the flowers are aromatic and are normally either dark violet or white
-the leaves and flowers are all in a basal rosette
-the style is hooked (and does not end with a rounded appendage).
-the leaf-stalks have hairs which point downwards.

These perennial flowers mature at a height of 4 to 6 inches and a spread of 8 to 24 inches.[1] The species can be found near the edges of forests or in clearings; it is also a common "uninvited guest" in shaded lawns or elsewhere in gardens.

In herbal medicine, V. odorata has been used for a variety of respiratory ailments, insomnia, and skin disordersHowever, there is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness for these uses

# data[].attributes.headline
Using the map of the biogeographical regions of Europe or of the World (Topic 2.3 Complexity of Biogeography - Readings), locate your own PlantArea. Search online for some key characteristics of this particular biogeographical region and describe.

# data[].attributes.subject
Using the map of the biogeographical regions of Europe or of the World (Topic 2.3 Complexity of Biogeography - Readings), locate your own PlantArea. Search online for some key characteristics of this particular biogeographical region and describe.

# data[].attributes.body
Cyprus  is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean and the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean , located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel, north of Egypt, and southeast of Greece.

# data[].attributes.body
The climate is characterised by hot dry summers and humid, cool winters but it can also be notoriously capricious with sudden torrential downpours.

These climatic conditions have a profound influence on the vegetation and wildlife of the region. So does its varied and contrasting topography – the Mediterranean Region offers an ever changing landscape of high mountains, rocky shores, impenetrable scrub, semi-arid steppes, coastal wetlands, sandy beaches and a myriad islands of various shapes and sizes dotted amidst the clear blue sea.

Contrary to the classic ‘sun, sea and sand’ images portrayed in most tourist brochures, the Mediterranean is surprisingly hilly. One is almost never out of sight of the mountains, even on the islands.

# data[].attributes.headline
Based on the information you have read in Topic 2.1 Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants (Readings), search online for key environmental stress factors, such as droughts, floods, etc. that influence plant growth in your biogeographical region, or if possible in your PlantArea specifically.

# data[].attributes.subject
Based on the information you have read in Topic 2.1 Environmental adaptation and tolerance of plants (Readings), search online for key environmental stress factors, such as droughts, floods, etc. that influence plant growth in your biogeographical region, or if possible in your PlantArea specifically.

# data[].attributes.body
Drought has always been a serious problem in Cyprus and unfortunately, in the last years, this phenomenon, has become more intense and worrying. Τhe first priority of the water resources sector in Cyprus with respect to its vulnerability to climate change is related to the water availability for domestic water supply and irrigation in mountain areas. In Cyprus, the low levels of effective rainfall and the consecutive years of drought in conjunction with the intense agricultural development that took place during the second half of the previous century led to the depletion of surface water stored in reservoirs and the exploitation of aquifers. Furthermore, cuts in water supply by Government imposed in periods of drought or high water pricing have often led private water consumers to illegally abstract water from boreholes (indirect climate change effect), which resulted in further deterioration of groundwater quantitative status.  The eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus is currently trying to tackle its water shortage problem with household rationing. The kouris Dam, the main source for the pipeline serving the districts of the capital Nicosia and the southern regions of Limassol and Larnaca, has been almost empty in dry years in the past. The depletion of the island’s awuifer is a very serious problem.

# data[].attributes.body
Climate change and in particular rising temperatures and droughts are expected to further promote growth and spread of these organisms. Cyprus’ forests have already been extensively affected by dieback of tree species, insect attacks and diseases with the most important incident recorded during the prolonged drought period of 2005‐ 2008, which had a significant effect on a large number of forest species, including Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea, Acacia, Cypress, Arbutus andrachne, Quercus alnifolia, Crataecus azarolus, and Olea europaea, while thousands trees of Brutia Pine species (Pinus brutia) and Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) were attacked by insects. The impact of droughts and of the increase in temperature may result in a significant reduction of pine forests with the forests of black pine at the top of Troodos mountains being faced with extinction.  The cedar and riparian forests are also considered particularly vulnerable. Species with slow regeneration ability are most at risk. The effect of pine caterpillar (pest) will expand due to the increase in temperature. Other harmful organisms from warmer regions are also expected to affect the forests of Cyprus. Generally, the quality of forests in terms of density, growth and vitality is expected to deteriorate, with shrinkage of high forests and prevalence of maquis and garrigue vegetation

# data[].attributes.headline
Alexander von Humboldt is often referred to as the 'father of phytogeography'. Learn more about him and his multi-volume treatise 'Cosmos'. Write a comment (50-70 words) about this important work (its concept, the motivation offered to the scientific community, etc.).

# data[].attributes.subject
Alexander von Humboldt is often referred to as the 'father of phytogeography'. Learn more about him and his multi-volume treatise 'Cosmos'. Write a comment (50-70 words) about this important work (its concept, the motivation offered to the scientific community, etc.).

# data[].attributes.body
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt, more simply called Alexander von Humboldt, was a notable Prussian geographer, explorer, and naturalist. He is widely recognized for his works on botanical geography which laid the foundation for biogeography. In 1827, Humboldt visited in Berlin, giving public lectures. These lectures became so popular that he decided to write all his research in a work which he called the “Kosmos”. The first volume was published in 1845 when he was 76 years old. Five volumes in total were published, the final volume posthumously. Written in a pleasant, literary style, Kosmos gives a generally comprehensible account of the structure of the universe as then known, at the same time communicating the scientist’s excitement and aestheticenjoyment at his discoveries.With his book Kosmos he made a valuable contribution to the popularization of science.

# data[].attributes.headline
In the Andes, the longest continental mountain range in the world, located in south America, tree species are ‘on the run’, trying to move to ground of higher altitude. They are shifting roughly 2.5 to 3.5 vertical meters a year on average, but in fact they need to migrate more than 20 vertical feet a year!

# data[].attributes.subject
In the Andes, the longest continental mountain range in the world, located in south America, tree species are ‘on the run’, trying to move to ground of higher altitude. They are shifting roughly 2.5 to 3.5 vertical meters a year on average, but in fact they need to migrate more than 20 vertical feet a year!

# data[].attributes.body
In my opinion the answer is:
2. Tropical Andean trees migrate to higher altitudes where the air is cool enough to support their existence. Due to the fast climatic change they have to move faster in order to remain in equilibrium with their preferred temperatures.

# data[].attributes.headline
Visit the nearest Meteorological Authority, Center of Biodiversity or Museum of Natural History where data for climatic change are recorded. Alternatively, you can search online for recent records showing sign of climatic change, such as lower precipitation rates, longer droughts, uneven storms, etc.

# data[].attributes.subject
Visit the nearest Meteorological Authority, Center of Biodiversity or Museum of Natural History where data for climatic change are recorded. Alternatively, you can search online for recent records showing sign of climatic change, such as lower precipitation rates, longer droughts, uneven storms, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
If possible, add interviews with relevant scientists. Elaborate on your PlantArea by adding characteristic photos, articles, comments, or anything you think that could be interesting for your co-learners.

# data[].attributes.headline
The threat of climate change and the knowledge that it is related to CO2 emissions from fossil fuels has led scientists to look for alternatives for our energy needs, that is in the cultivation of biofuel crops.

# data[].attributes.subject
The threat of climate change and the knowledge that it is related to CO2 emissions from fossil fuels has led scientists to look for alternatives for our energy needs, that is in the cultivation of biofuel crops.

# data[].attributes.body
Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is highly controversial since it solves one problem but creates new ones.

# data[].attributes.body
Cyprus from 2020 to 2050 one of the most striking results is an increase in extremely hot summer days with maximum temperatures exceeding 38˚C for an additional two weeks per year compared to the already quite warm summers we are used to. In addition, we will experience warm 'tropical' nights with minimum temperatures above 25˚C for an additional one month compared to current conditions. By the end of the century the number of hot days per year in Nicosia will increase by two months, resembling conditions currently experienced in cities like Cairo or Bahrain.
Prevailing stretches of hot summer days will give rise to extended heat waves, which will have particularly grave consequences for the majority of the populations that live in ever larger cities. This will cause severe risks of heat strokes and other heat-related illnesses posing a major threat to public health in the countries of the region. Changes in climate and weather patterns are likely to cause increases in vectorborne parasitic and viral diseases adding additional stress to local and regional public health authorities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cyprus, Climate Change and the Middle East

# data[].attributes.headline
Using the reading material of THEME 4, record the following floral resources found within your PlantArea. Upload pictures relevant to your findings.two alcoholic drinks consumed in your PlantArea together with their plant source material;the main tree species decorated during Christmas;two groups of food plants;two common spices together with their origin

# data[].attributes.subject
Using the reading material of THEME 4, record the following floral resources found within your PlantArea. Upload pictures relevant to your findings.two alcoholic drinks consumed in your PlantArea together with their plant source material;the main tree species decorated during Christmas;two groups of food plants;two common spices together with their origin

# data[].attributes.body
Zivania or zivana is a Cypriot alcoholic drink  produced from the distillation of a mixture of grape pomace and local dry wines made from Xynisteri and black grapes. Zivania is colourless and alcoholic with a light aroma of raisins. Its alcohol content varies, with 45% by volume being the typical value. Zivania contains no sugars and has no acidity.

# data[].attributes.body
Triantafyllo (rose cordial) is a syrup produced in Cyprus which is mainly used as a sweetner on desserts, such as Mahalebi or to flavour ice cream.    We used to love it when we were kids and adding it to cold milk was better than milkshake. It is made of red roses.

# data[].attributes.headline
The main tree species decorated during Christmas

# data[].attributes.subject
The main tree species decorated during Christmas

# data[].attributes.body
Cedrus brevifolia
Kingdom: | Plantae
Division: | Pinophyta
Class: | Pinopsida
Order: | Pinales
Family: | Pinaceae
Genus: | Cedrus
Species: | C. brevifolia

# data[].attributes.body
1. vine leaves: The Cypriot variety of the dolma uses minced meat, rice, onions, tomatoes and a mixture of herbs. This filling is then carefully wrapped in fresh vine leaves. A village favorite, this dish can be found commonly throughout Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Koupepia are usually made in large batches and can be frozen to be enjoyed at a later time – the dish is in every Cypriot grandmother’s menu. The stuffing of vegetables, called gemista, is a Cypriot tradition which extends beyond vine leaves, with peppers, tomatoes, onions, courgettes and even courgette flowers often being cooked in this manner.

2.Louvi
A staple in every Cypriot kitchen, this simple and healthy dish mainly consists of black eyed beans, and is served with boiled courgettes or Swiss chard, oil, salt and lemon. The beans are low in fat while being high in carbohydrates and protein.

# data[].attributes.headline
Two common spices together with their origin.

# data[].attributes.subject
Two common spices together with their origin.

# data[].attributes.body
Cinnamon

Although it's originally from the hard-to-reach island of Ceylon (a.k.a. Sri Lanka), cinnamon has been a global sensation for millennia. It first appears in Chinese writings that date to 2800 B.C.E. (they called it kwai). Cinnamon was also used by the Egyptians in embalming, perhaps, as with salt, for the same reason that it became a popular cooking spice—its warm aroma and antibacterial properties could hide the stench of food starting to go bad. The Romans had attachments to cinnamon, too, both medical and sentimental.

Ginger

\There's plenty of debate over whether Marco Polo brought back pasta from his trip to China, but one thing is certain: he did bring back ginger. Hugely popular in the Roman Empire, ginger suffered roughly the same fate as said empire; by Polo's days, it was barely known in the West. Polo and company reintroduced it as a rare luxury, and it stayed that way for centuries. In fact, Queen Elizabeth was a noted enthusiast, and some historians think she may have invented the gingerbread man.

# data[].attributes.headline
Theophrastus has been hailed as the 'father of Botany' by many, thereby often referring to these two large botanical treaties: 'Enquiry into Plants' , and 'On the Causes of Plants'. Write down your comment (50-70 words)  on the content of these works.

# data[].attributes.subject
Theophrastus has been hailed as the 'father of Botany' by many, thereby often referring to these two large botanical treaties: 'Enquiry into Plants' , and 'On the Causes of Plants'. Write down your comment (50-70 words)  on the content of these works.

# data[].attributes.body
Theophrastus was born in 370 B.C. and was a student of Aristotle. Theophrastus described the smells, tastes, and properties of many types of plants.The Inquiry into Plants and On the Causes of Plant Phenomena are his only works on botany that have survived to this day. One is about cultivation methods and the other about taxonomy (dividing them into 'trees', 'shrubs', 'undershrubs' and 'plants').

# data[].attributes.headline
»   Look for endangered plant species in your PlantArea by using the list of Earth's Endangered Creatures (http://www.earthsendangered.com/plant_list.asp).»   Record possible reasons threatening the above species.»   Design a business plan of a local volunteer organisation that aims to protect them. 

# data[].attributes.subject
»   Look for endangered plant species in your PlantArea by using the list of Earth's Endangered Creatures (http://www.earthsendangered.com/plant_list.asp).»   Record possible reasons threatening the above species.»   Design a business plan of a local volunteer organisation that aims to protect them. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Καταγραφή.JPG

# data[].attributes.headline
Possible reasons threatening the above species

# data[].attributes.subject
Possible reasons threatening the above species

# data[].attributes.body
The most threatening reason that appears the past 20 years for plants to become extinct is the stress of droyght. Heat is increasing dramatically due to the climate change.