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B. Comparison of my Bioarea with Vasiliki's BioArea GR (Epirus) https://padlet.com/vassosfair/g37n5dmyjbmc:

Epirus and Evritania are both mountainous regions of Greece. Epirus has more water bodies and a lower altitude while Evritania is drier and has a higher altitude. Many of the habitats are similar (conifers, shrubs and forests) and thus the biodiversity both regions support is similar too (bears, wolves, jackals, deer, birds of prey). Habitat degradation is a fact in both cases, but in Epirus it is worse due to the biggest cities and population it has. On the other had Epirus is well studied and more protected while Evritania is not. Their biodiversity is important with a lot of threatened species.

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A. Comparison of my BioArea with Magdalene's BioArea GR  (Thrace) https://padlet.com/magda02081996/6oje2eh4h28h:

Thrace and Evritania are both regions of Greece. Evritania is surrounded only by mountains just like the north of Thrace, while the south of Thrace is a coastal place. Thrace has more freshwater ecosystems, while Evritania is drier. Both places have protected areas (i.e. Natura 2000 areas) but Thrace is more organised and well studied. Fauna and flora are in many cases the same (firs, wolves, jackals, birds of prey, deer, tortoises...). There are a lot of threatened species as well as IAS!

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THEME 3- Threats to Biodiversity in a changing Climate> STEP 4: MEET & SHARE

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THEME 3- Threats to Biodiversity in a changing Climate> STEP 4: MEET & SHARE

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Nearly one-third of the Hellenic coastline is eroding. Sediment supply to the coast has decreased strongly due to the construction of dams, river channelization and intense coastal development.

With respect to climate change, it was reported that in the case of a sea level rise up to 1.8 mm/year almost half of the Aegean coast would be moderately vulnerable and the remaining part highly vulnerable. For the case of a sea level rise of more than 3.5 mm/year, almost all the Hellenic Aegean coast would be highly vulnerable.

Hard engineering structures that are used in Greece to protect the coast from eroding include seawalls, groins, breakwaters, revetments, flood embankments, placement of gabions and rock armouring. Approximately 15% of the eroding coastline is artificially protected. The most commonly used soft protection methods are beach nourishment, sediment recycling (transport of sediment from the down drift end of a beach back to its up drift end), and stabilization of coastal dunes with vegetation.

https://www.climatechangepost.com/greece/coastal-erosion/

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** Avalanches, Landslides and Rock fall Greece

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** Avalanches, Landslides and Rock fall Greece

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Landslide activity in Greece is increasingly high, as a result of intense urbanization and development (transportation routes, dams and reservoirs, industrial and urban activities) in landslide prone areas, continued deforestation and extreme meteorological events. In Greece approximately 800 landslides have been recorded in the time period 1949-1986.

In the last decade, an increment of about 25 % of the landslide occurrences has been recorded in the country as a result of anthropogenic activities, growing urbanization and uncontrolled land-use in landslide–prone areas. More frequent triggering events and increased susceptibility of the ground surface to instabilities as consequence of climate change impacts (continued deforestation mainly due to the devastating forest wildfires and extreme meteorological events) have also increased the landslide risk.

https://www.climatechangepost.com/greece/avalanches-and-landslides/

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During 1960-1990 the highest precipitation amounts were found in western Greece and southeastern Aegean Sea, during winter, autumn and on annual basis, while summer precipitation amounts are small, especially over the islands of Aegean Sea.

Recent studies have shown an increasing tendency of dry spell length during the last two decades in Eastern Mediterranean, which extends from the Ionian Sea to the Cyprus area, as well as a tendency towards drier conditions. Over the last 50 years extreme rainfall events exhibit increased variability.

Precipitation in Greece has reduced during the second half of the 20th century on an annual basis and for the winter period. Similar results have been presented for the neighboring regions and the Mediterranean Sea in general, most of them presenting a significant decrease in annual rainfall. These results agree with climate model projections that point towards a gradual aridification of the Mediterranean region.

These changes may not be due to climate change, however, but can be attributed to natural variability; decadal variability of precipitation over Greece is quite strong. In fact, recent precipitation data do not point at an ongoing decline in rainfall: monthly precipitation sums and annual daily maxima records derived from 136 stations across Greece during the period 1940-2012 show a decline since 1950, an increase since 1980 and stable precipitation during the last 15 years of this period in most regions in Greece.

The length of extreme dry spells is projected to increase in the future for the Mediterranean, as compared to the present climate on annual basis. The magnitude of change varies spatially and seasonally.

Future changes of rainfall intensity are smaller and show substantial spatial and seasonal variability. The rainfall intensity decreases in winter, spring and summer, but increases in autumn.

https://www.climatechangepost.com/greece/climate-change/

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1. Temperature
Annual temperature over the period 1961–1990 showed a trend of statistically significant warming over land in south-east Europe of approximately 0.4–0.6 °C per decade. In the middle of the ’50s a cooling period started in northern Greece and progressively extended also in the southern regions of the country where it started to be detected in the beginning of the’70s. The lowest average annual temperatures in Greece occurred in the decade of 1970 up to the beginning of 1980, due mainly to the very cold summers and autumns. However, during the last years of the ’90s, a progressive increase of temperature was observed. This seems to be due to a more intensive warming during the summer period.

In Greece, the frequency of heat waves in the ’90s was about three times higher than the one of the three previous decades. However, there are no signs of a similar reverse trend in the frequency of cold extremes. In the eastern Mediterranean, the intensity, length and number of heat waves have increased by a factor of six to eight since the 1960s.

https://www.climatechangepost.com/greece/climate-change/

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Gambusia affinis is a small fish native to the fresh waters of the eastern and southern United States. It has become a pest in many freshwater ecosystems around the world because of its initial introductions as a biological control for mosquitoes. In general, it is considered to be no more effective than native predators of mosquitoes. The highly predatory mosquito fish eats the eggs of economically important fish and preys on and endangers rare indigenous fish and invertebrate species. Mosquito fish are difficult to eliminate once established, so the best way to reduce their effects is to control their further spread.

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Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a large cyprinid introduced worldwide as a biological control of aquatic vegetation as well as a food fish. It is a voracious gazer which is incredibly efficient at removing aquatic weeds. However they can completely eliminate vegetation from water systems, resulting in widespread ecological effects. Grass carp are also known to compete with native fish, carry parasites such as Asian tapeworm (Bothriocephalus opsarichthydis), and induce other harmful effects to introduced waters.

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Native to Asia, goldfish (Carassius auratus) has been introduced worldwide due to its popularity as pond and aquarium fish. Releases, both intentional and unintentional, have meant that this species has formed wild populations in many new locations. Concerns have been raised about the impacts that goldfish have on the aquatic community, including increasing turbidity, predation upon native fish, and boost of algal blooms.

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Apart from the Mediterranean basin and the marine alien species, Greece has a lot of freshwater alien species, too. The main reasons for these invasions are:
•The accidental (or not) introduction of some species in urban freshwater, for example tropic pet fish were released in lentic ecosystems, or the authorities tried to enrich the icthyofauna by introducing alien species
•The introduction of species for fishing purposes, both by the local people and the authorities in lotic and lentic ecosystems
•Escape of alien species’ individuals from aquacultures.
•Wrong identification of some cryptic species (species with very similar phenotype)
Some really invasive alien species in Greece’s freshwater ecosystems are the following:

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Halophila stipulacea is a sea grass which has been introduced to the Mediterranean and more recently the Caribbean by commercial and recreational shipping. Studies suggest that H. stipulacea is capable of displacing native sea grasses and associated communities of other species. H. stipulacea is included in the "100 Worst Invasive Alien Species in the Mediterranean".

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Plotosus lineatus, looks like an eel and is one of the most poisonous fish in the world that has flooded the seas in Israel and Turkey. It is not found in Greece until now, but its schools are expected to appear, traveling from Turkey.
Plotosus lineatus originates from the Indian Ocean and has spread to the Mediterranean as in other cases through the Suez Canal. It looks like an eel but stands out from the yellow horizontal lines it has in its body. It takes a lot of attention as the two pectoral fins have poison. It is not edible.

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The blue crab in the 1950s and 1960s appeared in the Greek seas but then disappeared. It returned in 2009 and since then it thrives in the waters of the Aegean Sea. During summer, it is estimated that fishermen catch 200 kilos of blue crab per day.

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Pterois miles is a tropical fish which appeared in Rhodes in 2015. Until then it has reached the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean, where it naturally exists. Its population is rapidly spreading. This species has poisonous thorns. However, it is suitable for consumption.

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D. Possible invasions of alien species in Greece during the last decade

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D. Possible invasions of alien species in Greece during the last decade

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When it comes to invasive alien species in Greece, we have to talk about Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Sea was a closed basin with one and only connection: the Atlantic Ocean. In the early 1900s the Suez Canal was constructed. It is the biggest canal of the world and it connects the Mediterranean and the Red sea. As a consequence of this human made passage, a lot of species from the Pacific and the Indian Ocean migrated to the Mediterranean and established (the so called Lessepsian migration species).

Most of them don’t have natural predators there, because they are tropical species, and furthermore they are toxic for other (native) species or even humans, they predate native species or they compete them for food or other sources (spawning areas). Obviously, the habitat of native species degrades and their populations fall dramatically. The Greek seas are the first to face the problem of lessepsian migration species  because Greece is the most eastern european country of the Mediterranean and thus, the nearest to the Suez Canal. Increasing sea temperatures due to climate change creates favorable conditions for migrating species from warmer seas to Mediterranean waters.

Obviously, rising temperature of the seas favors the invasion of alien species, but this is also due to a number of other factors, the widening of the Suez Canal, or the ship traffic. Often, different species are trapped as larvae in ship ballast, and when they find suitable conditions, they grow in new areas.

A total of 130 alien species have found shelter in the Greek seas. Some of the most famous are: Pterois miles, Callinectes sapidus, Plotosus lineatus.

http://issg.org/database/species/search.asp?sts=sss&st=sss&fr=1&x=12&y=11&sn=&rn=Greece&hci=-1&ei=-1&lang=EN

https://www.news247.gr/perivallon/130-xena-eidi-psarion-mpikan-stis-thalasses-mas-synagermos-gia-to-plotosus-lineatus.6513280.html

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Common Skate: This demersal species is found from shallow coastal waters down to depths of 600 m, although it is primarily within the 200 m depth range. This is the largest species of skate attaining a length of more than 250 cm. Dipturus batis preys mostly on crustaceans and teleost fish.  The skate hunts actively and envelops its prey prior to capture and ingestion.

D. batis is probably captured as part of the bycatch of multispecies trawl fisheries. Benthic trawl effort has increased both numerically and in technological terms in the shelf and slope area of the Mediterranean over the last 50 years. The large body size, slow growth, low fecundity and large size of juveniles of this species makes it especially vulnerable to fishing exploitation when compared to other rajids.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39397/10198950

Distribution range:

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European Eel: The species is found in a range of habitats from small streams to large rivers and lakes, and in estuaries, lagoons and coastal waters. Under natural conditions, it only occurs in water bodies that are connected to the sea; it is stocked elsewhere.
The species is facultatively catadromous, living in fresh, brackish and coastal waters but migrating to pelagic marine waters to breed. While there is some understanding of the eel’s continental life history, relatively little is known about its marine phase.
The migrations in the European Eel’s life cycle are the longest and most oceanographically complex of the anguillid species. There are no exact data about specific spawning sites, however, it is proposed that spawning takes place in an elliptic zone, about 2,000 km wide in the Sargasso Sea, in the West Central Atlantic. The adults are assumed to die after spawning.

The causes of the declining recruitment rates are still not fully understood and while there are many hypotheses, the significance of any single threat, or the synergy it may have with other threats is still poorly understood. Some important threats that seem to be linked to the populations’ decline are: 1) Barriers to migration – including damage by hydropower turbines, 2) Climate change and/or changes in oceanic currents, 3) Disease and parasites, 4) Exploitation and trade, 5) Habitat loss, 6) Pollutants, 7) Predation

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/60344/45833138

Distribution range:

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Sperm whale: The habitat of the Sperm Whale is the open sea. More specifically, Sperm Whales can be found in almost all marine waters deeper than 1,000 m that are not covered by ice, except in the Black Sea and possibly the Red Sea. Sperm Whales are generally more numerous in areas of relatively high primary productivity, although there are some exceptions, such as the Sargasso Sea and the central North Pacific gyre.
The commercial value of the animal (a function of its size and the quality of Sperm Whale oil) drove two massive worldwide hunts: the technologically primitive “open-boat” hunt from 1712-~1920 and modern whaling using engine-driven whaling ships and harpoon guns from ~1910-1988. The complex social structure of sperm whales may have been affected by whaling, lowering potential population growth rates, which are very low anyway. On the positive side, Sperm Whales are very widely distributed and their primary prey, deep-water squid, are not yet major targets of fisheries.

The greatest threat to Sperm Whales, extensive commercial whaling, has ceased. However, a number of other threats of various dimensions remain:

Entanglement in fishing gear, particularly gillnets, has been a particular problem in the Mediterranean Sea.

Sperm Whales sometimes take fish off fishing gear, an activity known as “depredation.” Depredation of long-line catches appears to be a recent and increasing phenomenon. This interaction has resulted in a few reported entanglements and deaths and has incurred hostility from some fishermen, including shooting of whales.

Sperm Whales face other threats at a more regional level. These include collisions with ships, for instance off the Canary Islands and in the Mediterranean, and ingestion of marine debris in the Mediterranean.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41755/10554884

Distribution range:

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Lastly, I repeated the advanced search for marine species of the Mediterranean in the Greek seas. I found 46 species in the VU, EN, CR categories and some of them are shown below:

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This gastropod species is found in rocky limestone and rock rubble habitats, as well as in rock crevices.
Considering that the island is receiving increased pressure due to numerous touristic activities, a reduction in the habitat quality can be inferred. Grazing, fire and any other habitat modification can restrict the populations of the species further and lead it to extinction due to its extremely narrow distribution.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/171538/85579685

Distribution range:

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The species grows on rocky slopes and limestone cliffs. Although there is no precise information on the altitudinal range of the species, it has been found at as low as 70 m asl and it is inferred to reach 260 m asl, the maximum altitude on Dia Island. It is an autumn-flowering bulbous geophyte with a high ploidy level and reproductively as well as physically isolated from its close relatives.

The island where the plant grows is uninhabited, with virtually no infrastructures and currently only a few human activities. Grazing and overgrazing by goats, particularly by the Cretan Wild Goat Capra aegagrus cretica and the European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus are the main ongoing threat to its population. However, the level of their impact is unknown as it is unknown if the species is grazing-tolerant, as are other related species, or if it benefits from some level of grazing as this preserves the open habitats of the species. Although tourism activities in the island are currently centered near the coast and on the few paths, there is an increasing interest in tourism development and this might potentially affect part of the habitat of the species. Past proposals of establishing wind turbines and other green power infrastructures on the island have been abandoned due to the protection status of Dia Island as an archaeological site and as a NATURA 2000 site.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15418079/18612655

Distribution range:

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The species was found in a cave. Tourist activities, goat herding and any habitat modification are posing a high risk to the species survival. The single known subpopulation can be driven easily to extinction.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/171138/85578012

Distribution range:

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Fer's Marbled Bush-cricket: This species was found in a 1-2 m high Quercus sp. shrub, one of the few shrubs still existing in the Katharo Mountain Plateau; most of this plain is covered by cultivated vineyards or consists of bare ground.

Habitat loss is likely to occur as a result of the conversion of maquis shrublands into cultivated vineyards. Bushfires could also be a potential threat to the species.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/45463463/45463466

Distribution range:

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This perennial herb occurs in crevices of steep limestone rocks. Given that only a small number of individuals remain and the fact that the plant flowers only once during its lifetime, there are very few individuals which flower at the same time (between 0 and 20, depending on the year). Seed production and the establishment of seedlings is therefore extremely variable. It seems to have very strict ecological requirements.

The main threats facing B. kakiskalae are the low probability of genetic exchange within the population due to the small number of individuals flowering at the same time, and cliff instability, as the substrate on which it grows collapses periodically. Goats may also graze any accessible plant. A further threat is posed by rock climbing that leads to further erosion and habitat degradation.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61611/12522056

Distribution range:

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Beautiful water-starwort: C. pulchra is one of the least known and rarest members of the genus in the Mediterranean, where it is restricted to the Sphakia region of the island of Gavdos. It occurs in small, ephemeral pools on the limestone ridge in the southwest of the island.

On Gavdos, one of the ponds which support Callitriche pulchra is relatively far from paths or any other area used by humans and is therefore unlikely to suffer from human activities, however it is almost certainly visited by stock and could conceivably suffer from excessive dunging. The other pool is immediately adjacent to a track between Kastri and Ambylon which may be used by tourists during the summer months. It is heavily used by stock. A number of such pools on the island appear to have been artificially deepened to increase their value to stock, whilst others have been covered with stones for the same purpose. Actions such as these could result in the immediate extinction of C. pulchra on the island and therefore in Europe.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164444/1050668

Distribution range:

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After the mainland Greece, I tried the same advanced search for the Greek islands’ species and I found 131 species in the EN, VU, CR categories. Some of them are shown below:

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Tymphrestos Mountain Grasshopper: Mountain Grasshoppers are high mountain species, found above the timberline as a rule. They are found on open rocky slopes with a sparse vegetation of herbs and grasses. They seem to prefer spots with loose rocks which they use to hide. This species is also found on slopes almost entirely covered by grass and hardly any rocks, and is found at elevations of 1,750-2,100 m.

Like other mountains, Mts. Tymphrestos, Iti and Vardhoussia are used for grazing in the summer, but the severity of this threat is unknown. Mt. Tymphrestos is used for skiing in the winter but the effects of all development activities taking place to sustain this touristic activity are unknown.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/16084584/70566762

Distribution range:

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The species grows in crevices of metamorphic rocks at 1,000–1,050 m. It flowers from the end of June to the end of July. The plants grow in clusters and form groups of 10–20 individuals.

The whole area is exposed to strong north winds, especially during the summer. Although the known population is within a Natura 2000, numerous wind parks have been developed in the area, comprising several hundred individual wind turbines. A wind park is currently under construction in the distribution area of this species and threatens with extinction the only known population of the species.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/112444938/112444947

Distribution range:

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Menalon Greek Bush-cricket: Individuals tend to hide in bushes and small spiny shrubs. This short-winged species has been found at altitudes above 1,550 m on Mt. Menalon.

The mountain slopes where this species is found are used for skiing in the winter. The expansion of the ski center in the area is under discussion, and this would negatively affect this species. An increase in forested areas in this species' range also poses a threat. Climate change is a potential future threat, given the narrow altitudinal range of this bush-cricket.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/68450241/70624711
Range distribution:

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Giona Greek Bush-cricket: This short-winged species has been found at elevations of 1,700-1,800 m on Mt. Giona.

This species is threatened by quarrying practices on Mt. Giona, which are extremely destructive to this species' habitat (and cause noise disturbances). In addition, Mt. Giona is used for grazing in the summer, and changes in the grazing regime may also threaten this bush-cricket.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/68450237/70624696

Distribution range:

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Tymphrestos Greek Bush-cricket: This short-winged species is found at elevations between 1,500-1,900 m, and tends to hide in bushes and small spiny shrubs and herbs.

A ski center in the range of this species may affect it negatively, and skiing activities are considered a threat. In addition, the mountain slopes where this species is found are used for grazing by sheep (and in recent years also by cattle) in the summer - which poses a threat to the species' habitat, which has been strongly degraded in recent years.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/68450372/70624904

Distribution range:

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All Greek bush-crickets are found at altitudes above 1,200-1,300 m on open, more or less rocky, slopes covered with herbs, grasses and small spiny bushes. Individuals tend to hide in bushes and small spiny shrubs. This short-winged species is found at elevations of 1,500-1,750 m.

This species occurs in an area which is affected by skiing activities (Mt. Parnassos). Furthermore, it occurs in areas grazed by sheep and goats; any changes to the grazing regime (intensification, introduction of cattle grazing, abandonment) may negatively affect the species.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/68450303/70624784

Distribution range:

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This grasshopper species is strongly dependent on wet grasslands that are flooded on a seasonal basis. The greatest population density is recorded in the site with the greatest diversity of dominant plant species. This grasshopper is estimated to have lost 85–99% of its habitat during the last 50 years due to wetland drainage.
The main current threat is further habitat loss by urbanization around Pamvotida Lake and by land conversion to agriculture in Paramythia Lake, even though both sites belong to the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/14870997/70432562

Distribution range:

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Galanthus reginae-olgae (Queen Olga’s snowdrop) is found in a variety of habitats, such as stunted woodland, deciduous woodland, amongst rocks and scrub, near streams on sloping ground, and in river valleys and gorges. It is most abundant at higher altitudes, around 1,000 m. Like other species from southern Europe, most of these habitats provide suitable micro-environments in areas otherwise unsuitable for a predominately woodland plant.

In Greece, the species is not threatened apart from the population on Kerkira that is under threat from the expansion of tourism. It is also safe from being grazed as it contains alkaloids, which makes animals dislike them. Forest clearance and water abstraction would influence populations in those areas where it occurs in proximity to rivers and streams. Like other Galanthus, this species is susceptible to climate change.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164901/5937465#threats

Distribution range:

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C. Species of Greece included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

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C. Species of Greece included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

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Some species of Greece’s BioArea which are included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are already mentioned in the previous activities (Module 1) and there are also photos of some of them (especially of Evritania’s endangered species). In this activity I tried an advanced search in the IUCN Red List site, so that I could find all of the Listed Species which are threatened (CRitically Endangered, ENdangered, or VUlnerable) and exist in mainland Greece as shown below.
There were 247 species in total and I chose to present some of them here
https://www.iucnredlist.org/search

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Bears in Greece are being threatened by: 

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Bears in Greece are being threatened by: 

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1) Direct killing, due to: poaching, producers who suffer damages caused by bears, capture and commercialization of the cubs with subsequent elimination of the female.

2) Habitat destruction, due to: overexploitation of the forest, forest fires, extensive forest roading, large scale technical works without appropriate planning and control.

3) Lack of public awareness to the values of an endangered species.

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http://archipelago.gr/en/drasi-gia-tin-katapolemisi-tis-paranomis-lathrothirias-alla-88-ptina-apeleftherothikan-sto-fysiko-tous-perivallon/

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88 birds have been released back into the wild

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Following the recent actions of Archipelagos Institute to combat songbird poaching in Greece, we received multiple incident report from citizens about cases of illegal capture and caging of large numbers of songbirds in homes, warehouses, business premises etc. Specifically, there were two incidents

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http://archipelago.gr/en/claiming-right-overexploit-seas/

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Claiming the Right to ...Overexploit our Seas!

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After nearly two decades of research and action by the Archipelagos Institute for Marine Conservation to protect the Greek seas, it is remarkable that in every corner of Greece the same arguments are repeated with regards to the question: "Who destroys and empties our seas?" Artisanal fisherm

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http://archipelago.gr/en/poaching-songbirds-a-continuous-environmental-crime/

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Poaching Songbirds: A Continuous Environmental Crime

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The poaching of songbirds is a chronic problem here in the eastern Aegean that Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is working to combat. However, it happens throughout the whole of Greece, especially in areas where there is a strong migration of songbirds. This widespread, illegal and imm

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http://archipelago.gr/en/illegal-spear-fisherman-fined-archipelagos-intervention/

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Illegal spear fisherman fined after Archipelagos' intervention

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Another "proud spear fisherman" shows off online his achievement to fish a protected species.

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B. Wildlife overexploitation for food industry, pet market, traditional medicine, fashion industry in Greece

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B. Wildlife overexploitation for food industry, pet market, traditional medicine, fashion industry in Greece

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Wildlife poaching on the Aegean Islands and in other areas of Greece is a very serious environmental crime. Endangered animals such as chameleons and other reptiles, but also songbirds (goldfinches, blackcaps and siskins) often fall victims to poachers. The birds are often used for  entertainment or even for consumption.

The cruel practice of removing wild animals from their natural environment, containing them in tiny enclosures, selling them on the black market or keeping them for entertainment is an ongoing problem. However, local communities have begun to cooperate with Archipelagos to catch the perpetrators of these illegal activities.

http://archipelago.gr/en/combating/wildlife-poaching/

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Habitat loss: From agricultural to artificial land

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Habitat loss: From agricultural to artificial land

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

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https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/greece_s_biodiversity_at_risk_fact_sheet_may_2013.pdf

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A. Loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitats in Greece

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A. Loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitats in Greece

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Loss: Between 1990 and 2000 the north eastern and central regions of the country showed a notably high trend of loss of pastures to agricultural land, compared to the average of the EU territory. Similarly three regions showed high trends in loss of land from agricultural to artificial surfaces. About 40,000 ha of agricultural land were converted to urban areas during the same period.

Fragmentation: Until 2000, the average non fragmented parcel size in Greece was between 200 - 250 km2, one of the highest in the European Union . A sporadic pattern of urban sprawl, near existing cities but also in rural areas following the expansion of roads and highways has been observed in Greece between 1990- 2000.

Degradation: It is estimated that approximately 30% of the soil in the sensitive climate zones of Greece has been subjected to various stages of desertification, a percentage that is presenting a rising tendency.

Fires: Fires directly influence the biodiversity of a region, and their effects on ecosystems are linked to changes in the hydrological and geomorphological features of the drainage basins, soil erosion, etc. Specifically with regard to fauna, species that lack good escape mechanisms are inflicted beyond recovery, resulting even in the extinction of local populations.
Furthermore, due to the dependence of animal species on the type and density of the vegetation in a region, even the temporary loss of that vegetation following a fire can have a dramatic effect on the fauna populations . The forest fires of the summer of 2007 have been recorded as the most destructive fires in the last decades, not only at the national, but also more widely at the European level.
In all, over 250,000 hectares were destroyed, of which at least half were areas of natural cover including mainly forests and other wooded land. Among them, over ten institutionally protected natural areas were struck, including Parnitha, Taygetos, Parnonas, Pelion and Grammos, as were important habitats of threatened species such as the deer, the jackal, the bear and the wolf.

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

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Greece hosts a large proportion of the species that are threatened at the European level, and has the important responsibility for protecting these species within its territory. Species in Greece require greater action to improve their status. While many species already receive some conservation attention, others do not.

Greece is host to an estimated 36,000 species of animals and plants. This number represents 23% of the total species described for Europe and could represent more than 2% of the species in the world. Approximately 32% of the species assessed by the European Red List of Species are present in Greece. For some of the taxonomic groups, the percentages of European species that occur in Greece are particularly high; such as dragonflies, butterflies and saproxylic beetles.

Of the total number of species assessed in the country 14% are considered threatened and 8% are Near Threatened at the European level, and one species is already Extinct. Many of these species are endemic to Europe and are found nowhere else in the world. Species that are considered threatened at the European level and occur in Greece are found mostly in wetlands, rocky areas, forest and shrublands. These ecosystems require particular attention in order to ensure the habitats of these sensitive species remain.

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are the most significant threats at the European level to species that occur in Greece. For freshwater species, major threats include the over-extraction of water, which in many cases is further exacerbated by increasing droughts due to climate change, pollution and the introduction of alien species. Other major threats come from farming and ranching as a result of agricultural expansion and intensification, consumptive use of biological resources, urbanization and tourism.

https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/greece_s_biodiversity_at_risk_fact_sheet_may_2013.pdf

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THEME 3: Threats to Biodiversity in a changing Climate> STEP 3- CREATE

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THEME 3: Threats to Biodiversity in a changing Climate> STEP 3- CREATE

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Alpine Newts Feeding  || Bergmolch-Fütterung (Ichthyosaura alpestris inexpectata)

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*Do not forget:

Decomposers feed on the detriments of the organisms of all levels and they can be mammals, birds, microorganisms....

Then the organic matter can be reused (input of nutrients)

The sun is the main source of energy for the first trophic level (the producers)

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D. 2 organisms sharing the same food (niche partitioning) and how they manage it

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D. 2 organisms sharing the same food (niche partitioning) and how they manage it

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The smooth newt, also known as the common newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) are two newt species which both live in Central Greece, as well as in most of Europe.
Their food preferences are the same (niche partitioning): they are both carnivorous throughout their lives (after the larval form) and they mainly feed on mollusks and insect larvae. This means that the two newt species have to differ in a biological parameter (time of breeding, time of feeding, altitude, etc) so that there is no total overlap in their ecological niche. In this case, this parameter is the altitude. The alpine newt lives in higher altitudes (1200m- 2000m) while the smooth newt is a lowland species, ranging up to about 1000m.

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

https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%91%CE%BB%CF%80%CE%B9%CE%BA%CF%8C%CF%82_%CF%84%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%82

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

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Ecological niche of 2 characteristic animals

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Ecological niche of 2 characteristic animals

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2. Oropodisma karavica (Karavica Mountain Grasshopper), IUCN: EN

Geographical Range: Mount. Agrafa, Evritania, Greece (see map below)

Karavica Mountain Grasshoppers are found on open rocky slopes with a sparse vegetation of herbs and grasses. They seem to prefer spots with loose rocks which they use to hide and an altitude from 1600m up to 2000m. Like other mountains, Mountain Karava is used for livestock grazing in the summer. In the future there might be increased cattle grazing, which could negatively affect this species.

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C. Ecological niche of 2 characteristic animals

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C. Ecological niche of 2 characteristic animals

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1. Vipera ursinii (Meadow Viper), IUCN: VU

Geographical Range (in Greece): see map below

Vipera ursinii is a viper species which lives in an altitude from 1400m to 2250m. It is the most threatened snake in Europe and Evritania is the southern end of its distribution. At least 12 human activities are threatening these animals, some of them are the following: Grazing, Mowing, Fire, Agriculture, Roads, Afforestation, Persecution, Illegal collection.

V. ursinii is primarily associated with open meadows and hillsides. It gives birth to live young; the female has between 2 and 22 young. It is a diurnal snake. Its main preys are lizards, insects and rodents.

The conversion of traditionally farmed meadows to intensively cultivated and grazed land has caused significant declines in populations of this species in Central and southern Europe. Also, afforestation of alpine grasslands (because of abandonment of traditional agricultural practices) is a threat to the species in some areas. Construction of ski-runs and roads are significant threats to montane populations. Montane populations of this species may also be affected by increasing climate change, in particular the impact of temperature change on populations of important prey species (e.g.. Orthoptera) and breeding biology. In the Balkans, it relies on prey species (Orthoptera) which are highly sensitive to pollution, hence it may be used as a habitat quality indicator.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22997/9406628#habitat-ecology

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

https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9F%CF%87%CE%B9%CE%AC_%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD_%CE%BB%CE%B9%CE%B2%CE%B1%CE%B4%CE%B9%CF%8E%CE%BD

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Parasitic organism

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Parasitic organism

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1. Pucerons: or Aphids are members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants (wheat, corn, potatoes, roses) in temperate regions (for example Greece). In addition to weakening the plant by sucking sap, they act as vectors for plant viruses.

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

2. Mistletoes: Viscum album is a species of mistletoe in the family Santalaceae. It is a parasite on several species of trees (for example firs (Abies cephalonica, abies borisii-regis)), from which it draws water and nutrients.

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

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Pisaster ochraceus (predator) – Mytilus californianus (prey)

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Pisaster ochraceus (predator) – Mytilus californianus (prey)

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!!!Check this out!!!- Another example of an ecosystem engineer (not from my BioArea)

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!!!Check this out!!!- Another example of an ecosystem engineer (not from my BioArea)

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1. Pisaster ochraceus (predator) – Mytilus californianus (prey)

The ecological niche of Mytilus californianus (mussel) is the middle intertidal zone. In the lower intertidal zone (which is the ecological niche of the starfish Pisaster ochraceus), the numbers of Mytilus californianus are much lower because the starfish is its main predator. If we remove the starfish from the ecosystem then the mussels will expand to the lower intertidal zone and the mussels will displace any other competitive species.

http://www.asnailsodyssey.com/LEARNABOUT/ECHINODERMATA/seasKeys.php

Zoology Hickman et al, Vol:ΙΙ, page 1179,  3rd Greek edition

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Prey of Circaetus gallicus

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Prey of Circaetus gallicus

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Predator

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A. 2 examples of animals with a predator-prey relation

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A. 2 examples of animals with a predator-prey relation

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1. Circaetus gallicus (predator): Its prey is mostly reptiles, mainly snakes, but also some lizards. Sometimes they become entangled with larger snakes and battle on the ground. Occasionally, they prey on small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, and rarely birds and large insects.
Grass snakes (Natrix natrix), L arge whip snakes (Hierophis gemonensis) (preys)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-toed_snake_eagle

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230753497_Feeding_habits_and_provisioning_rate_of_breeding_short-toed_eagles_Circaetus_gallicus_in_northeastern_Greece

2. Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (predator)
Insects and other invertebrates, for example ants (prey)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-billed_chough#Feeding

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THEME 2: Exploring biodiversity> STEP 3. CREATE

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THEME 2: Exploring biodiversity> STEP 3. CREATE

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THEME 2: Exploring biodiversity> STEP 1. ACTIVATE YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

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THEME 2: Exploring biodiversity> STEP 1. ACTIVATE YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

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Reintroduction of the grey wolves into the Yellowstone National Park

Answer 3: The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.

Wolves in the Yellowstone National Park were absent for many years. As a result the number of deer (elk) was raising (they had no natural enemies) and of course the number of plants was falling because of overgrazing.

In 1995, a few wolves (grey wolf- Canis lupus) were reintroduced back in the National Park as an effort to control the elk number. Immediately some deer were killed and the remaining started to avoid places where they could be easily tracked. The flora of those places started to regenerate.

But this is not all! Apart from the interaction between “wolf & elk” and “elk & vegetation” the new forest was a perfect place for the birds and the beavers, too. The beavers affected the lotic ecosystem (fish, amphibians, reptiles, ducks) because of the dams they build which serve as habitats for other animals.

The wolves also killed coyotes, and as a result the number of rodents increased, leading to an increasing number of birds of prey and vultures, as well as foxes and bears.

Last but not least, the flow of the river changed because there was more vegetation leading to less erosion. Finally the river formed pools and riffles and started to narrow, which means more habitats for more wild animals.

All the above are known as trophic cascade, an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators causing changes in the interaction between predator and prey through a food web, which often results in dramatic changes in ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling.

We should remember that a top predator (e.g. wolf, beaver) is an ecosystem engineer and thus its removal can have devastating impacts on smaller predators, herbivores, vegetation, scavengers and also morphological features of the ecosystem.

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THEME 1: Introducing Biodiversity> Step 3- CREATE

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THEME 1: Introducing Biodiversity> Step 3- CREATE