https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3 Crete - Threats to biodiversity in a changing climate en-us 2019-02-10 18:21:44 UTC 2019-02-12 08:52:38 UTC hello@padlet.com leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329630664 Crete, being part of the Mediterranean, is an "area of intense cultural and commercial exchange" and as such, "it has been subject to the invasion of several species. Some have adapted and became incorporated into the local environment. However, many such invasive species alter natural ecosystems and drive local species of fauna and flora to extinction."
(NHMC, exhibit on Crete)
Examples:
- Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)
- American bullfrog (Lithobates cartesbeianus)
http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=71
http://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2016/4/BIR_2016_Adamopoulou_Legakis.pdf]]> 2019-02-10 18:23:07 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329630664 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329834553 (Lagocephalus sceleratus)
An extremely poisonous (highly toxic) recent invasive species!
First recorded in Greek seas in 2005. Causes damages to local fishing gear. But more studies and monitoring are needed to assess impact to local ecosystems.
https://okeanos-dspace.hcmr.gr/handle/123456789/499?show=full]]> 2019-02-11 13:19:27 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329834553 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329840502 4.7% of Crete's species of flora are invasive species.
Examples are:
-Red hottentot fig (Carpobrotus edulis)
-Cape sorrel (Oxalis pes-caprae)
- Eucalyptuses
- Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Agave americana
http://www.uaeco.edu.gr/medecos/presentations/Thursday/3s/Hulme_Medecos.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236880574_A_preliminary_inventory_of_the_alien_flora_of_Crete_Greece]]> 2019-02-11 13:34:08 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329840502 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329849634 Another relatively recent addition to Crete's marine ecosystem. This crab originates in the N. and S. American waters.
http://aquaticinvasions.net/2006/AI_2006_1_3_Thessalou_etal.pdf]]> 2019-02-11 13:53:36 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329849634 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329869079 A most recent - 2016 - invasion to Cretan marine waters, the lionfish is now considered one of the most invasive species of the world.
It is poisonous but can be eaten if certain poisonous parts are removed.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313198449_The_invasive_Lionfish_in_Greece
http://www.chaniapost.eu/2016/07/27/invasive-fish-species-found-in-lasithi/]]> 2019-02-11 14:27:44 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329869079 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329875198 A highly invasive plant from Mexico.]]> 2019-02-11 14:37:02 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329875198 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329885310 Cretan species of fauna listed in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species include
the Cretan frog (Pelophylax cretensis - EN), the Cretan wall lizard (Podarcis cretensis - EN), the Cretan shrew (Crocidura zimmermani - VU), the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus - NT), as well as many species belonging to the LC category.
https://www.iucnredlist.org]]> 2019-02-11 14:52:26 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329885310 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329910958 Plant species listed include
Anthemis glaberimma - CR
Theophrastus' date palm (Phoenix theophrasti - NT),
Orchis sitiaca - EN,
Zelcova abelicea - EN
https://www.iucnredlist.org/]]> 2019-02-11 15:31:36 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329910958 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329919833 During the last decade the number of days with sand storms has been gradually increasing, beginning in spring and occurring up until late fall or even throughout the winter, though less obvious. Also, though winters are getting milder with less precipitation, there are days with extremely high precipication, as occured in October 2018, when on a single day the highest precipitation of over 300mm was recorded near the town of Chania. These weather extremes (in either direction) could constitute signs of climate change.]]> 2019-02-11 15:43:56 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329919833 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329928355 The bearded vulture and the Griffon vulture share the same food - carrion. The way they share it is that when an animal dies, first the Griffon vulture approach in a large flock and devour the mammal's flesh. Waiting nearby for its turn, the bearded vulture (usually a single individual) awaits until it can get to the bones of the carcass, which is its source of food. So, the two species feed on the same carrion but eat different parts of it, efficiently partitioning their niche and are thus able to share the same habitat.]]> 2019-02-11 15:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329928355 leameli https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329939569 Invasive non-native species are species alien to an area that are introduced into it either unintentionally or intentionally and that spread quickly and cause a lot of damage to native natural or urban ecosystems.
So, what about humankind?
Humankind makes up about 0.01% of all Life and has caused, since the beginning of its appearance, the extinction of 83% of wild mammals and about 50% of all plants. We, ourselves, Homo sapiens, are causing tremendous damage to natural habitats. When are we going to put ourselves in check?

Based on the "evidence" given in the following article:
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/humans-fraction-life-earth-but-negative-impact-animals-plants]]> 2019-02-11 16:12:13 UTC https://padlet.com/leameli/crete3/wish/329939569