Natalia's BioArea GR by Ναταλία Δρακωνάκη https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd Elafonisos Island in Crete en-us 2019-01-14 15:58:32 UTC 2025-10-15 06:49:36 UTC hello@padlet.com A short description and testimony to its uniqueness natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320364368 The island of Elafonisos and the opposite Cretan coast are separated by a relatively narrow zone of shallow waters. Rare bio-communities constitute part of the above mentioned sanddunes. The site is also characterised by a variety of habitat types, most of them fairly well conserved (typical ammophilous and halophytic flora, dune juniper thickets, calcareous cliffs; one of the most diverse and endemic-rich groups of communities). The flora of the site is rich in common species and also contains endemics, local endemics and species with geographical distribution of residual character. It is one of only 100 or less sites in the European Community where the plants Androcymbium rechingeri and Ipomoea stolonifera still exist. Endemic subspecies (Felis silvestris cretensis, Meles meles arcalus and Podarcis erhardii elaphonisii) constitute part of the fauna of the site. The area is also very important for migratory birds both as a resting and as a breeding place.]]> 2019-01-14 16:08:29 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320364368 Relating sites natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320366038 https://www.naturanrg.gr/eidiki-perivallontiki-meleti-gia-to-elafonisi/ (in greek)
http://www.ecovalue-crete.eu/en/sites/gr4340002]]> 2019-01-14 16:11:16 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320366038 Abiotic characteristics natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320373150 The island of Elafonisos is located at the south-western corner of Crete in the Mediterranean sea. It is separated from the opposite coast by a shallow strait about 150 m in width. The island is oblong with a maximum length of 1500 m and a maximum width of 500 m . The maximum altitude (39 m) is observed at the rocky western part while the rest of the area is principally a sandy lowland. Rocks and cliffs are found only on the periphery, along the coastline (with the exception of the eastern corner of the island). The extended beach of Elafonisos is characterised by the dominance of sanddunes.]]> 2019-01-14 16:21:48 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320373150 Biotic characteristics natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320374463 The extended beach of Elafonisos is characterised by the dominance of sanddunes with the well developed community Ammophiletum arenariae. A significant population of Pancratium maritimum (sea-lily) is found in this zone. Thickets of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. macrocarpa, also on maritime sands, occupy the area behind the Ammophiletum community. Other species met in this scrub zone are: Anthyllis hermanniae, Silene sedoides, Lotus creticus ssp. cytisoides, Ipomoea stolonifera, Orobanche versicolor, Plantago squarrosa. On the rocky coasts that exist in certain parts of the island the following plants grow: Atriplex halimus, Crithmum maritimum, Inula crithmoides, Capparis orientalis, Euphorbia dendroides, Ficus carica. Finally, the central part of Elafonisos is occupied by phrygana (dwarf shrubs) with the following species predominating: Coridothymus capitatus, Phagnalon graecum, Ballota pseudodictamnus, Hyparrhenia hirta, Ruta chalepensis.
As for animals endemic are the species Felis silvestris cretensis, Meles meles arcalus and Podarcis erhardii elaphonisii, but there are other important animals too such as migratory birds and the gull Larus argentatus, amphibians (i.e. Bufo viridis), reptiles (Coluber gemonensis, Hemidactylus turcicus, Lacerta trilineatapolylepidota and Telescopus fallax).

]]> 2019-01-14 16:23:36 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320374463 Threats natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320377248  Sanddunes become rearer due to sand removal and the building of hotel complexes. It is generally a fragile ecosystem and is mainly threatened by tourism (i.e. camping, vehicles, littering etc)]]> 2019-01-14 16:27:37 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320377248 The Natura 2000 Network natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320382557 The NATURA 2000 network is regarded as the cornerstone of EU nature and biodiversity policy. The EU biodiversity strategy sets two main targets for 2020: namely to halt and reverse the biodiversity loss within the territories of EU member states. The principal statutory tools supporting these targets are the Council Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC. A keystone outcome of the Council Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, commonly called the “Habitats” and “Birds” directives has been the designation and management of the NATURA 2000 sites network aiming to the development of best practices for the maintenance and restoration of their biodiversity.
It is only in the late nineties that EC‘s Habitats Directive 92/43 - transposed into Greek law as late as 1998 - provided a strong base for the species‘environmental protection. Since Article 3 of Law 1335/1983 (Governmental Gazette 32/Α΄/14-03-1983) was published, Greece is obliged to take the necessary measures to implement the national policy of conservation of wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, with particular attention to species that are threatened with extinction or at risk. This applies especially to endemic species and endangered habitats in accordance with the provisions of the Bern Convention.
Crete has 53 NATURA 2000 sites and only one management body (National Park of Samaria).  As a result, the NATURA sites in Crete still face a numerous environmental problems, such as the destruction of coastal habitats by the development of tourism, the degradation of mountain landscape and the loss of biodiversity due to intense agriculture, abandonment of traditional farming practices and the human-related mortality of certain species.

]]> 2019-01-14 16:35:40 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320382557 Elafonisos Island's map natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320388304 2019-01-14 16:44:41 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320388304 My answer: Theme 2 - Assess the problem natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320395948 3.     The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.]]> 2019-01-14 16:56:35 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320395948 Preys and predators natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320874020 Felis silvestris cretensis eats lepus europaeus.
Meles meles arcalus eats earthworms.]]> 2019-01-15 17:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320874020 Ecological niche of Podarcis erhardii natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320876428 P. erhardii is found in the Balkan peninsula and the Aegean islands. Erhard's wall lizard lives in dry or rocky places with dense, low bushes. It climbs very well. The lizard populations in the Aegean archipelago inhabit open places, like plant-covered dunes.
Erhard's wall lizard eats arthropods, especially insects.
P. erhardii mates in spring, and lays eggs at the beginning of the summer. The young lizards hatch in September. ]]> 2019-01-15 17:11:04 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320876428 Ecological niche of meles meles arcalus natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320878021 The European badger (Meles meles), also known as the Eurasian badger has a wide range and a large population size which is stable, and even increasing in some areas.
It is nocturnal and is a social, burrowing animal that sleeps during the day in one of several setts in its territorial range. These burrows, which may house several badger families, have extensive systems of underground passages and chambers and have multiple entrances. Some setts have been in use for decades. Badgers are very fussy over the cleanliness of their burrow, carrying in fresh bedding and removing soiled material, and they defecate in latrines strategically situated around their territory.
Although classified as a carnivore, the European badger feeds on a wide variety of plant and animal foods, feeding on earthworms, large insects, small mammals, carrion, cereals and root tubers. Litters of up to five cubs are produced in spring. The young are weaned a few months later but usually remain within the family group.]]> 2019-01-15 17:13:52 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320878021 Niche partitioning natdrak https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320880940  The European badger has been known to share its burrow with other species such as rabbits but it can be ferocious when provoked.]]> 2019-01-15 17:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/natdrak/56dzvn5mepqd/wish/320880940