GSS 2015 - From a student's point of view
During the Greek
Summer School in Conservation Biology we attended an excursion to Papingo. After
a short stop for a group picture under the huge plane tree near the church of
Mikro Papigo (980 m a.s.l.), we started the hiking towards the Astraka Refuge
(1950 m). At the beginning we were surrounded by dense oak forest, house for unexpected
wonders: ancient buildings and beautiful orchids. However, very soon we left
the shadow of the forest for the light of a wide open pasture. Step by step the
track became harder but an amazing view opened up for us. From the top of the
mountain pass we could see all the surrounding peaks and valleys, villages and
unspoiled nature.
The discovery of
new ecosystem types and unseen species along the latitudinal gradient gave us
the chance to increase our knowledge as well as to gain a new and more complete
perspective about biodiversity patterns
and distribution.
During the climb
twelve people from different countries and cultures had the opportunity to
share their own point of view on biodiversity conservation. Each one could talk
about their experiences and issues, discovering other opinions, answers and
advices.
But most of all,
the direct contact with nature and returning to the basics offered us a sense
of accomplishment and satisfaction, real motivation to face the oncoming
challenges.
The
2015 class of the SCB Greek Summer School on the terrace of the Astraka Refuge,
Timfi Mountains. From left to right: Edy Fantinato, Alessandro Chiarucci,
Giancarlo Torre, Martin Wiemers, John Halley, Gabor Lovei, Konstantinos
Anestis, Nihal Kenar, Frank Weiser, Esther Bauman, Zoltan Elek (missing:
Athanasios Kallimanis, Natasha Zorzaki)
