Lefteris Trikiriotis - Ikaria island BioArea GR by Lefteris Trikiriotis https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd Biotalent course en-us 2019-01-11 20:00:30 UTC 2025-12-21 18:08:38 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png Ikaria is my beloved Bioarea i will share with you metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319877725 2019-01-11 21:05:10 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319877725 Flora of Ikaria metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319886598 Ikaria contains at least 42 endemic species of flora and 15 are endemic of Ikaria. Unfortunately there is no scientific paper for the fauna of the island

]]> 2019-01-11 21:45:33 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319886598 Ikaria has at least 42 endemic species of flora metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319886914 One of them is Galanthus Ikariae belonging to IUCN Red List]]> 2019-01-11 21:47:41 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319886914 Watch my video during Multi day trekking in Ikarian nature exploring it's biodiversity metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319887772 https://www.youtube.com/watchtime_continue=5&v=7wdl1LE6naE]]> 2019-01-11 21:53:06 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319887772 environmental organisation where i used to volunteer and work metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319888511 2019-01-11 21:57:51 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319888511 metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319889272 Me and my favourite tree Arbutus Andrachne in Ancient RAdi Forest in Ikaria]]> 2019-01-11 22:02:39 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319889272 Butterfly metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319893876 2019-01-11 22:35:51 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319893876 metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319893942 Happy snail eating wild mushroom]]> 2019-01-11 22:36:32 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319893942 Theme 2 Exploring biodiversity - Step 1 https://www.yellowstonepark.com/park/yellowstone-wolves-reintroduction metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319894493 The right answer is

The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.]]> 2019-01-11 22:41:49 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319894493 my BioArea belong to a biodiversity hotspot area which is mediterannean basin. Also among islands of eastern Aegean sea Ikaria is an exceptional biodiversity spot still unexplored by science metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319951941 2019-01-12 15:03:39 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319951941 Damaging human activities metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319953487
Unfortunately Ikaria's biodiversity is declining both at terrestrial and marine areas due to human activities
We could mention many damaging human activities like overgrazing of terrestrial environment, illegal woodcutting from forests, pollution due to lack of waste management, destructive industrial scale fishing, illegal hunting, loss of water in the ecosystems due to rise of human water consumption, roads building cutting natural areas into smaller parts etc

Typical photo of phenomeno of erosion and soil loss due to deforestation of Ikaria's mountains

]]> 2019-01-12 15:22:56 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319953487 Natura areas of Ikaria and Radi forest metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319954910
Ikaria has 3 areas, 2 terrestrial and 1 marine which belong to natura areas network of europe.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
Though there is no management on real time so human activities are destroying these areas on a geometric progress last decades.

Radi forest of Holm oak trees one of the last such forests among mediterannean islands is also declared as national reservoir due to its biodiversity but it is not protected at all and there is no regenaration due to overgrazing phenomeno

]]> 2019-01-12 15:38:39 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319954910 Volcanoes and Mountains metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319955785 At Ikaria BioArea there is no terrestrial volcano though due to submarine activity of tectonic plaques there are plenty of thermal water springs in the southcoast of the island considered as highly therapeutical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnmJo03knno

Ikaria is one of the most mountainous mediterannean islands as it is traversed by the Atheras range, whose highest summit is 1,037 metres (3,402 feet).Island is like a natural fortress as mountain rises few meters from the coast and as a result there very few tiny plains

I can't find any data for age and formation process of the island. ]]> 2019-01-12 15:47:42 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319955785 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3. CREATE metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319990539 Two examples of animals with a predator-prey relation

First example is
Eleonora Falcon as a
predator and damselfly as prey

Second examlpe is the beech marten also know as stone marteen being a predator and mouse as prey]]> 2019-01-12 22:48:49 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319990539 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3. metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319991646 Two parasitic organisms

A common ectoparasite plant of Ikaria is Cytinus ruber, a parasitic plant of cistus shrubs
https://www.algarvewildlife.com/specialspecies-cytinus.php]]> 2019-01-12 23:06:38 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319991646 metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319991660 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3.

Two parasitic organisms

Another unforunately (for beekeeping)common ectoparasite is Varroa destructor (Varroa mite) is an external parasitic mite that attacks the honey bees Apis cerana and Apis mellifera. The disease caused by the mites is called varroosis.

]]> 2019-01-12 23:06:51 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319991660 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3. metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319992734 The ecological niche of two characteristic animals of Ikaria

Stellagama stelio

Like many agamids, stellions can change color to express their moods. They bask on stone walls, rocks, and trees. They are usually found in rocky habitats, and are quite shy, being very ready to dive into cracks to hide from potential predators.

DIET: It is mainly fed with invertebrates, smaller lizards and wild plants]]> 2019-01-12 23:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319992734 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3. metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319993202
The ecological niche of two characteristic animals of Ikaria

Black capped jay

The Black-capped jay differs from the Eurasian jay due to the prominent black crown on the top of the head. Black-capped jays preferred habitat is dense oak woodland, orchards, and olive groves although they can commonly be seen in wooded areas of pine.

DIET:
The Black-headed Jay is omnivorous, but it feeds mainly on invertebrates and small vertebrates such as small lizards, eggs and nestlings of small birds, during the breeding season. In autumn and winter, it consumes seeds and berries, including pine seeds. It usually scavenges discarded food scraps near villages. It is fond of acorns and stores them for later consumption.

]]> 2019-01-12 23:33:01 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/319993202 Global distribution of Varroa parasite metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320491641 Where Does the Varroa Mite comes from?]]> 2019-01-14 19:30:09 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320491641 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3 metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320511115 Niche PArtitioning
between honey bees, Apis
mellifera, and bumble bees which belongs in the genus Bombus

Bumblebee vs Honeybee

Ikaria as a biodiversity hotspot is a place where the bees both wild and domesticated,use to thrive.

They are both fed with nectar and pollen so the way that they manage to share the same food is because

First of all they need different amount of supplies. Honeysbees form families of tens of thousands and they need to consume and produce lot of honey.Bumblebees grow families of few hundreds fellow bees so their needs are much more less than honeybees.
Bumblebees produce honey only for them, but honeybees are used to produce honey for them and for other animals to steal like humans.
As there are more species of bumblebees, there is a wider variety in lengths of tongue and, thus, the kinds of ﬂowers they feed from are more and different plants than honeybees
Bumblebees are weather resistant as they are more hairy so they can manage better in rainy,windy or lowlight weather (low temperature) than honeybee
Bumblebees are bigger insects so they can carry bigger load of nectar or pollen so they need to fly less out of the nest minimizing the meetings with honeybees.

These are some basic observations i have done through the years living in the countryside of Ikaria

Bumblebee gathering nectar

]]> 2019-01-14 20:04:04 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320511115 Honeybee vs Bumblebee video metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320543893
We can see the honeybee with the short tongue visiting an open flower and the bumblebbe with the longer tongue searching nectar in a closed flower which means that it has to deal with longer distance to the source of nectar

]]> 2019-01-14 21:19:11 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320543893 THEME 2. Exploring biodiversity STEP 3 metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320546662
Based on the simplified trophic pyramid found in slide 6 of the resource topic 2.1 'Relationship of organisms in ecosystems', i made an analogous one with plants and animals from my own BioArea.

I describe an example of possible species in the different levels of trophic pyramid.

Quaternary consumers( eagle, falcon)

Tertiary consumers(snake)
Secondary consumers( frog,stone marten,jay)

Primary consumers( grasshoper,caterpillar,aunt,butterfly,mouse)

Primary producers ( holm oak, strawberry tree, rockrose )]]> 2019-01-14 21:27:28 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/320546662 Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322415986
Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation

Unfortunately in my Bioarea there are phenomena of all three situations

I will give an example of each one.

Habitat loss

Deforestation of ancient holm oak forests is disappearing such habitat on several areas of Ikaria. Many species of flora and fauna are under extinction like rare mushrooms which are symbiotic with holm oaks.

Habitat fragmentation

Many seasonal streams and small rivers starting from the plateaus of Ikaria on their way to north coast are fragmented many times on their way because of roads construction which makes huge problem to the survival of the european eel ( anguilla anguilla )which is at the IUCN red list considered as critically endangered and last years in Ikaria is rarely occured, though in the past it was very common

Habitat degradation

Due to overgrazing the biodiversity of many areas which used to support a rich biodiversity is declining dramatically as the only species which are surviving are the ones which can not be eaten by the thousands goats and sheeps that graze certain areas all year round, not allowing natural regeneration of the environment

]]> 2019-01-19 18:00:34 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322415986 Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416267 Wildlife overexploitation in my BioArea for the food industry, pet market, traditional medicine or the fashion industry

Pet market and fashion industry are completely unknown terms in my Bioarea so there is no wildlife overexploitation because of them.

Medicinal plants are collected from the wild in some areas for traditional medicines and small scale local business, but the licences to gatherers and the quantities are controlled by the Forest service of Ikaria, so there is no overexploitation for the moment

Food industry is overexpoitate wildlife through unsustainable meat production (goat, sheep,pig) due to lack of management of the grazing zones of Ikaria which causes severe overgrazing phenomena, deforestation, desertification and erosion, disappearing wildlife

]]> 2019-01-19 18:03:41 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416267 Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416284
There are many Species of my BioArea that appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. I am writing for two of them one animal and one plant

Ikaria Bright Bush-cricket as vulnerable

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/17182027/47708524

]]> 2019-01-19 18:03:55 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416284 Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416294
A plant of my Bioarea that appears on the IUCN REd List of Threatened Species is Galanthus Ikariae as vulnerable]]> 2019-01-19 18:04:04 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416294 Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416308 Possible invasions of alien species in my Bioarea during the last decade.

A very common example of invasive specie in my bioarea is the arrival of common gold fish introduced to artificial lakes and damns of Ikarian rivers, which became a pest as there is no predator to control it's popoulation

]]> 2019-01-19 18:04:10 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/322416308 Invasive Species CompendiumDetailed coverage of invasive species threatening livelihoods and the environment worldwide metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/326969325 Varroa destructor
(Varroa mite)

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/107784]]> 2019-02-02 16:38:29 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/326969325 Article howUncontrolled overgrazing is destroying greek islands metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327309076

]]> 2019-02-04 14:27:19 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327309076 One popular rare plant of Ikaria at a local digital magazine article metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327317783 2019-02-04 14:41:30 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327317783 Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327328800 Possible signs of climate change in your BioArea, such as weather extremes.

The meteorogical data of Ikaria have a very short history as the weather station which sends data to the National service is a few years old

What is obvious last years is that spring, summer and autumn gets drier comparing to the past, winter is milde with very few snow or ice accordinf to older people memories and rain is balanced between seasons

Two examples of weather extremes of last years are the following

During March of 2018 there were extremely strong south winds lasted 3-4 weeks bringing huge amounts of Africa desert dust, destroying the blooming of olive trees leading to almost zero harvest for the olive picking.

During January of 2019
according to the data of the weather station of Rahes area, the capital of West Ikaria, we had more than 636 mm of rain which is very close to the annual rain of the whole previous year of 2018.

Second higher rainfall around Greece during January 2019]]> 2019-02-04 14:58:23 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327328800 Goldfish as an invasive species? They are taking over one Washington lake metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327336135

]]> 2019-02-04 15:09:00 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327336135 Invasive species in the Mediterannean Sea metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327337467
Many species in Aegen sea around Ikarian coast are invasive]]> 2019-02-04 15:11:04 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327337467 Higher montly rain around Greece during January 2019 metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327346358
Ikaria weather station

]]> 2019-02-04 15:24:36 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327346358 I feel great participating at this online course about biodiversity like a lizard by the sun metroindian https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327372691 2019-02-04 16:07:44 UTC https://padlet.com/metroindian/2ivv9cb1e9hd/wish/327372691