Giannis' BioArea GR by GiannisAnnousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo Made with no regrets, whatsoever en-us 2019-01-07 18:45:56 UTC 2024-06-15 11:48:18 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Xmastree.png Possible reasons for the decision to reintroduce grey wolves into the National Park. giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/320913397 The correct reason is number 3.
The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood. The wolf, as a predator, can maintain the elk populations in balance. In this way, the overgrazing is reduced and the ecosystem is balanced.

]]> 2019-01-15 18:11:49 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/320913397 THEME 2: Τwo examples of animals with a predator-prey relation: giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/320966609 1. Vipera ammodytes - Μus musculus
Vipera ammodytes is mainly a terrestrial snake but has both climbing skills and swimming  skills. Its diet is based on small mammals (Mus musculus), birds and lizards, while young people feed on insects.
http://www.herpetofauna.gr/index.php?module=cats&page=read&id=179
2. Vulpes vulpes  - Alectoris graeca graeca
All kinds of foxes are omnivorous. Their diet consists largely of invertebrates. However, they also have a special preference for fruits, fish, birds (Alectoris graeca graeca), eggs and beetles. Most species are highly adaptable to many different foods and consume an average of 1 kg of food per day.
https://www.britannica.com/animal/red-fox-mammal
]]> 2019-01-15 19:41:25 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/320966609 THEME 2: Τwo parasitic organisms: giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/320979297 1. Ixodes scapularis
It feeds on blood that absorbs from the skin of mammals in which it parasites. When it sucks blood, its tummy increases in volume. It is difficult to detach when it adheres to the skin. It is harmful to humans and animals because it can carry serious illnesses such as Borreliosis or Spring Meningoencephalitis.
It has eight legs and antennas. It resembles the size with a greyish grape grain when it is fast. But when it's full, the size of his belly is bulging. His skin is elastic.
https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/183/5/773/892071
2. Marchalina hellenica
Marchalina hellenica, is yellow in color and lives by the pine juice, mainly from Pinus brutia and, to a lesser extent, Pinus halepensis, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinea, producing sweet honeydews (reddish drops).
It can be found in cracks and under the dead cortex of the trunk of these trees, hidden beneath the white cotton it secretes. The main form of reproduction is virgin birth.
The insect produces a sugary secretion which is harvested by the bees. These secretions take place twice a year, during spring and autumn.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sofia_Gounari/publication/235730995_O_R_I_G_I_N_A_L_A_RT_I_C_L_E_Studies_on_the_phenology_of_Marchalina_hellenica_gen_Hemiptera_coccoidea_margarodidae_in_relation_to_honeydew_flow/links/02bfe512efb49391cb000000.pdf]]> 2019-01-15 20:05:36 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/320979297 THEME 1: Does your BioArea belong to a biodiversity hotspot area? giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321183160 A biodiversity hotspot area, is a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened with destruction. It must qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000 edition of the hotspot map, and the region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it must have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation. There are 35 hotspots areas and one of those is Mediterranean Basin. This area includes Greece. So, yes, my BioArea belong to a biodiversity hotspot area.

]]> 2019-01-16 12:33:50 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321183160 THEME 1: Does it contain endemic species? giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321187640 Greece is included in the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot. Important terrestrial ecoregions for endemic species include the Crete Mediterranean Forests and the Pindus Mountains Mixed Forests.
There are among over 900 endemic vascular plants. There are also endemic land snails, invertebrates, unique butterflies, freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians.
(Below, two references of endemic plants of Parnitha and one of Milos island)
Campanula celsii ssp. parnesia
Silene oligantha ssp. parnesia
Macrovipera schweizeri]]> 2019-01-16 12:50:53 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321187640 THEME 1: Can you find evidence of damaging human activities? giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321199773 On September 18, the tanker "Agia Zoni", caused a major oil spill in the Saronic coast.
https://int.ert.gr/wwf-expresses-concern-over-the-marine-environment/
Deforestation and urbanization significantly contribute to the genesis of floods. Deforestation, also related to soil erosion, is a major problem in Greece.]]> 2019-01-16 13:22:02 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321199773 THEME 1: Are there areas currently under protection from human presence and/or activities? giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321205200 National Parks usually include forests and aim in the preservation of significant flora and fauna species, geological formations, underground, atmosphere, water and nature in general. They usually consist of an absolute protection area, the core, and a buffer zone. Several activities are forbidden in the cores of National Parks, such as industries, settlements, buildings, grazing, logging, hunting, cutting and uprooting plants, etc.
Any human activity is forbidden in the core of national parks.
In Greece, there are 10 of them.]]> 2019-01-16 13:35:23 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321205200 THEME 1: Does it contain volcanoes or mountains? giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321213720 More than ten million years ago, the sea penetrates Aegias and separates the present-day land Greece. From five million years ago to 20.000 years, the sea is upsizing with constant climate change.
Greece is a predominantly mountainous country with more than 300 larger or smaller mountains in its territory. The most important Greek mountainous axis is the mountain of Pindos, which forms the backbone of the mainland and has as a natural continuation the mountains of the Peloponnese and Crete. Moreover, most islands are, in fact, the mountaintops of the submerged Aegean, which once connected mainland Greece to Asia Minor.]]> 2019-01-16 13:53:03 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321213720 THEME 1: Biotic and abiotic characteristics of your BioArea giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321227839 Abiotic:
The soil of Greece present a significant variety that is also reflected in the vegetation variety. according to the classification of FAO-UNESCO, in Greece there are also the following categories of soils: Lithosol, Luvisol, Fluvisol, Cambisol, Andosol, Regosol, Planosol, Vertisol, Leptosol. The climate is characterized as a Mediterranean type with warm and dry summers and cool and humid winters (koppen climate classification). Greek ecosystems are divided into six categories: Coastal, Fresh water, Phrygana, Forest, Grass Land and Rocks.
(Legakis, 2010)
Biotic:
The fauna of Greece is not well thought out. Vertepbeates are best known, while the largest gaps exist in the Invertebrates. It is believed that if the Greek fauna is fully studied, it should include about 50,000 species! (Legakis, 2007).
http://users.auth.gr/~elvoults/pdf/Homeric%20fauna%2005.pdf
The Greek flora includes about 6,000 species and subspecies of plants, of which about 1,100 are endemic. It is unique in Europe for its wealth, but also for the large proportion of endemic to its extent. This is due to the wide variety of biotopes and ecosystems.
http://portal.cybertaxonomy.org/flora-greece/intro
- https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/gr/gr-nr-05-en.pdf]]> 2019-01-16 14:18:49 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321227839 THEME 2: The ecological niche of two characteristic animals giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321261145 -Elaphe quatuorlineata:
It is found in hedgerows, close to woodland edges, in open woodland, rocky overgrown areas and traditionally cultivated land. Animals may also be found near to waterbodies but also away from them. Animals tend to have very large home ranges. Habitats in Greek islands may be drier and characterised by maquis vegetation and dry-stone walls. Normally below 900m, but up to 1400m in the S of its area.
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/157264/5065135#habitat-ecology
-Podarcis peloponnesiacus:
Occupies a wide variety of sunny habitats at all altitudes. It occurs in dry scrubland, rocky areas, olive groves and vineyards, in traditionally cultivated areas and in old buildings. The females lay two clutches of one to six eggs annually.
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61551/12514581#habitat-ecology]]> 2019-01-16 15:10:47 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321261145 THEME 2: Two organisms that share the same food (niche partitioning) and the way that they manage it giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321713760 Podarcis peloponnesiacus & Hellenolacerta graeca.
The above spieces often coexist from sea-level up to over 1600 m. They manage it because of the abundance of the second spieces is in drier environments than the firts. Also, the Hellenolacerta graeca's abundance is at intermediate altitudes.
(By the book of: J. Speybroeck et al., 2016, Field guide to the amphibians & reptiles of Britain and Europe, British Wildlife Field Guides, Bloomsbury Natural History.)]]> 2019-01-17 15:05:04 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321713760 THEME 2: A trophic pyramid with plants and animals from your own BioArea. giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321776522 Below, is the trophic pyramid from Hymettus mountain.
(By the book of: A. Oikonomou et al, 2007, The Biotope of Hymettus, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Botanical Museum.)
https://filotis.itia.ntua.gr/biotopes/c/GR3000006/
http://www.ornithologiki.gr/page_iba.php?aID=126&loc=en
http://www.topoguide.gr/mountains/attiki/advs_imittos/imittos_fauna.php

]]> 2019-01-17 16:43:14 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/321776522 Map & info of my BioArea giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/322410183 https://theculturetrip.com/europe/greece/articles/the-most-beautiful-national-parks-in-greece/
https://www.discovergreece.com/en/nature]]> 2019-01-19 16:52:03 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/322410183 THEME 3: Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation or habitat degradation in Greece. giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324698314 http://io.teiion.gr:8080/bitstream/handle/123456789/780/1-s2.0-S1470160X07000623-main.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
-
https://www.limnology-journal.org/articles/limn/pdf/2006/01/limno200642p33.pdf
-https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Thomas_Wrbka/publication/223276914_Landscape_and_vegetation_responses_to_human_impact_in_sandy_coasts_of_Western_Crete_Greece/links/5a1bfcb70f7e9be37f9c18bc/Landscape-and-vegetation-responses-to-human-impact-in-sandy-coasts-of-Western-Crete-Greece.pdf
-https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11269-007-9179-7]]> 2019-01-27 17:00:28 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324698314 THEME 3: Wildlife overexploitation in Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324702805 Hunting is a legitimate activity that can nevertheless threaten species that feed on overexploitation and thus become threatening to preserve biodiversity. The expansion of hunting in Greece coupled with the lack of control and monitoring of the activity, intensify its negative impact on biodiversity. They reflect the current inadequacy of the state's mechanisms for the effective protection of the nature of Greece. Hunting should be subject to strict regulations to ensure the long-term viability of huntable species, with the ultimate goal of not jeopardizing European and national biodiversity targets. That is why a new, comprehensive and modern institutional framework for hunting is needed. A new framework that will be an important step towards the protection and sustainable use of Greece's biological resources.

Illegal activity, despite illegal activity, is particularly widespread in Greece and is particularly damaging to protected and migratory species of birds. Unfortunately, both the inadequate legal framework for hunting in Greece and its inadequate implementation often act as a cover for the rivers. The extent of illegal fishing in our country is another reason why we need an updated legal framework for hunting in Greece. This framework should focus both on the proper education, awareness and awareness of hunters to prevent collapse, and on the notion of zero tolerance for cases drifting from the door of the state.

]]> 2019-01-27 17:33:37 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324702805 THEME 3: Species of Greece that appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324705085 There are a lot of spieces that appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in Greece.
Some of them are Algyroides moreoticus (NT),  Chamaeleo chamaeleon (CR),  Eurotestudo hermanni (VU) and Macrovipera schweizeri (EN). Ather species appear at the link below.
http://dipe.ker.sch.gr/kainotomes/To_Kokkino_biblio.pdf]]> 2019-01-27 17:51:09 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324705085 THEME 3: Possible invasions of alien species in Greece during the last decade giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324707962 The total number of the alien plant taxa reported for Greece (343) is relatively low compared to those of other Mediterranean and Southern European countries.
The smaller number and density of alien
plant species observed in Greece may be related to the fact that it has lower levels of industrialization and of transportation network development, a higher proportion of scarcely if at all populated or cultivated mountainous
areas, and a highly dissected physiography with many high and often inaccessible mountain ranges spreading
across the mainland.
Ailanthus altissima, Amaranthus albus, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Datura stramonium, Eleusine indica, Erigeron bonariensis, Nicotiana glauca, Opuntia ficus-barbarica, Oxalis pescaprae, Paspalum distichum, Solanum elaeagnifolium, Symphyotrichum squamatum and Xanthium spinosum are typical cases of plants characterized as invasive, having established in a variety of habitats in Greece.
https://www.ciheam.org/publications/170/013_-_Arianoutsou.pdf
Also, there is a newly established population of Podarcis siculus in Greece comming from Italy,
http://fupress.net/index.php/ah/article/view/18075
Trachemys scripta from America,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270157855_Report_of_two_subspecies_of_an_alien_turtle_Trachemys_scripta_scripta_and_Trachemys_scripta_elegans_Testudines_Emydidae_sharing_the_same_habitat_on_the_island_of_Zakynthos_Greece
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Reported-sightings-of-the-common-slider-Trachemys-scripta-in-Greece-including-one_fig1_310600080
and Podarcis vauchery from Spain.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325303683_Podarcis_vaucheri_Sauria_Lacertidae_far_away_from_home_A_new_invasive_species_in_Greece
https://brill.com/view/journals/amre/39/3/article-p363_10.xml

]]> 2019-01-27 18:11:23 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/324707962 THEME 3: Possible signs of climate change in Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/325078034 In the last report of the International Panel on Climate Change it mentions that the temperature of the Aegean Sea will rise between 1.2 and 2.5 degrees Celsius, which means that ‘October summers’ will be something that Greeks won’t necessarily be feeling particularly proud nor happy about.
https://www.euronews.com/2015/10/22/climate-change-in-greece-more-visible-than-we-think---negative-future-ahead
Also, major wildfires affected Athens (Greece) on 23 July, with many fatalities beacause of rise degree mentioned below.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/climate-change-signals-and-impacts-continue-2018]]> 2019-01-28 18:23:31 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/325078034 Compare my BioArea with the BioAreas of other learners. giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/325411611 Now, that my BioArea is completed, I will compare it with the corresponding work of my co-learners. They will be: 

Elina's BioArea IN and Molnár Ágnes's BioArea HU.

Firstly, Elina's BioArea looks quit interesting due to the intense diversity of my BioArea. In India there is different fauna, with Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis be the interesting endemic spieces from this country. Another information is that biodiversity hotspots are specific areas in India and not all the country. But of course, as my BioArea, in India there are damaging human activities such as overpopulation like Attica! 
Secondly, Molnár Ágnes's BioArea is seems to be affected by climate change. Also, there are a lot of National Parks and I observe a kind of different flora pattern (Querqus and Fagus forests) than my BioArea (Pinus and Abies forests). I think it is important to be mentioned that these kind of forests are reduced. Last, but not least, the fact there are more than 3700 caves in Hungary is interesting in terms of the study of cave fauna.
 
]]> 2019-01-29 14:53:04 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/325411611 Your BioArea is looking excellent! ntzouvo13 https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/325913426 2019-01-30 16:29:46 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/325913426 Hello rita_vandeloo https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/328301746 I read your
 Bio area and find it impressive! a lot of information with interesting links. I learned a lot about Greece and biodiversity!
Could you pleas also have a look at my bio area? Rita Vandeloo: https://padlet.com/rita_vandeloo/3rbt30yv2aea

thanks]]> 2019-02-06 15:30:07 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/328301746 Evaluation moha7676 https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329484650 Dear Giannis,
Your BioArea is looking very good! Maybe you can complete it with some maps, photos or other pictures!]]> 2019-02-09 13:14:16 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329484650 Natura 2000 map of Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329491524 -http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/data/index_en.htm
-http://www.ekby.gr/ekby/en/Natura2000_main_en.html]]> 2019-02-09 14:37:45 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329491524 Ramsar Wetlands of Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329491892 2019-02-09 14:41:13 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329491892 Wildlife Refuges of Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329492091 https://www.geogreece.gr/refuge_en.php]]> 2019-02-09 14:43:42 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329492091 The forests of Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329492293 2019-02-09 14:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329492293 The herpetofauna of Greece giannisannousis https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329493242 Please, read the info of above link and learn about the herpatofauna of Greece!
http://www.herpetofauna.gr/ ]]> 2019-02-09 14:56:18 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329493242 Your BioArea is looking excellent! e_foui https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329604009 Keep up the good wor]]> 2019-02-10 15:09:36 UTC https://padlet.com/giannisannousis/40tdysg9ambo/wish/329604009