http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=GR2430002 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natura_2000 

References:
http://www.evrytan.gr/omorfi-evrytania/monadiki-alpiki-limni-velouchiou/

Although Velouchi is a quite unprotected area, it has a great importance because of:

1) The nesting of threatened birds, especially birds of prey.

2) The presence of species that face the danger of extinction (Canis lupus, near the southern boundary of its distribution).

3) The presence of many endemic and local endemic species of invertebrates (Orthoptera and Coleoptera) and of plants:

·  Abies cephalonica and Asperula oetaea  (Picture 1) (IUCN list of threatened plants- Rare). 

·  Cirsium heldreichii (Picture 2) (Presidential Decree 67/81)

·  Valantia aprica is a balkan endemic (Greece, Albania) 

·  Chenorhinum origanifolium (Picture 3) is a species of SW Europe recorded only from Tymfristos in Greece, not found again since its original collection in 1842 (at 1800 m) 

·  Thymus leucotrichus is a species of the mountains of Greece and Anatolia. Allium phtioticum and Minuartia stellata are species endemic to Greece and Albania 

·  Erysimum cephalonicum is a species endemic to the mountains of north, west and central Greece and of Albania

· Dianthus integer ssp. minutiflorus, Poa thessala, Crocus veluchensis, Silene radicosa ssp. radicosa, Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. bulgarica are balkan endemics

· Barbarea sicula (vulnerable) (Picture 4), Erodium guicciardi(rare) (Picture 5), Seseli parnassicum (rare) (IUCN list of threatened plants and Presidential Decree 67/81) (Picture 6)

· Rosa arvensis (IUCN list of threatened plants- Endangered at World level) (Picture 7) 

· Geranium humbertii (=G. subcaulescens) (Presidential Decree 67/81) 

The habitats found on site favor the presence of the butterfly species Parnassius apollo, Parnassius mnemosyne and Papilio alexanor  (Picture 8) (Annex IV). 

4) The presence of amphibians and reptiles listed in Annex II of 92/43/EEC:

·  Bombina variegata

·  Elaphe situla

·  Testudo marginata

·  Testudo hermanni (IUCN list- NT) (Picture 9)

5) The presence of mammals listed in Annex II of 92/43/EEC:

·  Miniopterus schreibersii  (IUCN list- NT) (Picture 10) 

·  Myotis blythii

·  Myotis myotis

·  Canis lupus

Reference:
 http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=GR2430001#3
https://www.iucnredlist.org/

The two most important rivers of Agrafa mountains are Agrafiotis  and Tavropos . The central Agrafiotis River valley is surrounded by a steep 2,000-metre wall of mountains, and on its south side the river drains via a series of narrow and often impassable gorges into the artificial Lake Kremasta. Tavropos (aka Megdovas), feeds two artificial lakes Plastiras (N) and Kremasta (S) which provides electricity to Central Greece.

The road network of the area consists of few asphalted roads and paths that pass through old stone bridges. The isolation of the area, the high altitudes, the dense forests and the rare presence of humans contributed to preserving a rich wildlife including dozens of threatened species of Greek fauna and flora.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrafa

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

Agrafa host many rare species of avifauna. This site is very important for birds of prey such as the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) (Picture 3), the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) (Picture 4), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (Picture 5) and the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) (Picture 6). It is also important for the Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) (Picture 7) a corvid whose distribution in Greece is very limited and its numbers are declining. Moreover, occasional is the presence of the Neophron percnopterus (IUCN Red List: EN) (Picture 8). For all these species and many others, the area of Agrafa belongs to the Natura 2000 Special Protection Areas (SPA).

Amphibian fauna and herpetofauna are both very rich and include, among others, newts (Lissotriton vulgaris (Picture 9), Ichthyosaura alpestris (Picture 10)), salamanders, frogs and toads, the three species of land turtles of Greece (Testudo hermanni (IUCN Red List: NT) (Picture 11), Testudo graeca (IUCN Red List: VU) (Picture 12), Testudo marginata (Picture 13)) and many snakes.

Some important mammals of the area are bears (occasional presence) and wolves (permanent presence), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (Picture 14) and wild cats (Felis silvestris) (Picture 15), wild boars (Sus scrofa) (Picture 16), ferrets, martens, squirrels and various species of rodents and bats. In addition, there are healthy otter populations (Eurasian otter- Lutra lutra- IUCN red list: NT) (Picture 17) in the rivers.

Some of the freshwater fish of the area are the Ionian trout (Salmo farioides), the Peloponnesian brian (Barbus peloponnesius), the Peloponnesian riverfish (Squalius peloponnensis), the American trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Salaria fluviatilis (Picture 18) and Telestes pleurobipunctatus.

Near the peak of Karava lives an endemic grasshopper species (Arthropoda), Oropodisma karavica (IUCN Red List: EN) (Picture 19).

References:
http://www.naturagraeca.com/ws/122,184,191,1,1,%CE%86%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B1

http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/SDF.aspx?site=GR2430002  

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.

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 

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

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. 

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

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 

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 

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.

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.

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:

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:

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:

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:

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: 

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:

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:

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:

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:  

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: 

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

Distribution range: 

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:

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

Distribution range:

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

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

Distribution range:

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:

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:

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 

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/ 

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/ 

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/ 

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/