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)

GSS-2015

Biodiversity Theory and Practice. Zagori, Greece, 29^rd June - 10^th July, 2015

 

This school continues the series of Greek Summer Schools in Conservation Biology that began in 2008 but will be of a more quantitative nature and will focus on biodiversity. GSS-2015 will be under the aegis of the Society for Conservation Biology and of HELECOS. We aim to equip participants with an understanding of the principles of modern biodiversity theory and to teach practical skills for biodiversity fieldwork including sampling design and monitoring. Students will also learn how to use some of the main computer packages for biodiversity data analysis, mainly in the R programming environment. The duration is 12 days. The course is worth 6 ECTS and is aimed at graduate and postgraduate students; applicants with good quantitative skills are especially welcome. The fee of 700€ covers registration, food, accommodation and local transport. The number of participants is limited to 15. GSS-2015 will be held at the PALASE Field Station of the University of Ioannina in Ano Pedina. As familiarity with R is essential, we offer a special two-day refresher course (27^th-28^th June) prior to the start of the school for those wishing to ‘brush up’ on R. More information at the GSS website (gss.bat.uoi.gr).

 

Note: We are offering a number of places at a reduced (€200 instead of €700) fee. Applicants seeking such support should indicate this in their applications. Preference is given to applicants with economic difficulties. The British Ecological Society offers a number of travel grants for this course. More information.

(http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/grants-awards/training-and-travel-grants/)

Old-growth woodlands in the Mediterranean: the role of religion

In ancient Greek culture, the term “tree” referred by definition to oak trees, thus recognizing the great utilitarian and spiritual value of oak woods. Nowadays, small churches and small chapels dispersed in Greek nature are always surrounded by ancient oak woodlands. These sacred groves still remain in Greek culture holly sites, respected by people due to Orthodox religion and hence left out of common forest woodcutting practices. As a result, biotopic islands of old growth uncut woodlands have been formed, which have a great ecological value, hosting a great diversity of forest-dwelling organisms. They are usually open woodlands of small-size (1-2ha), periodically grazed. A multi-disciplinary research project under the title “conservation through religion: the sacred groves of Epirus”, was initiated by the University of Ioannina (J. M. Halley – project coordinator), under the scope to explore the comparative ecological value of sacred groves vis-à-vis managed oakwoods (biological component), as well as the cultural value of those woodlands (social component).

My research team (biodiversity group) will record the diversity of birds, vascular plants, lichens and bats in both forest types, while another research team (National Institute of Agricultural Research –Forest Research Institute) will study the diversity of fungi and wood-eating insects in both forest types. To this end, we have selected a set of 20 sacred groves in the area of Epirus (NW Greece) and an equal number of managed oakwoods in vicinal area, using a random choice algorithm. The first results of our project are promising. A highly significant difference is recorded (p<0.001) for the woodpecker diversity and abundance between sacred groves and managed oakwoods.  I currently undertake fieldwork on the passerine diversity and although research is not accomplished yet, some key species such as S. europaea, C. brachydactyla, P. lugubris and P. palustris seem to have a clear preference of old growth woodlands.

However, as modern Greeks become more and more detached from tradition and Orthodox religion, they do not respect always sacred groves. Sings of illegal woodcutting are recorded in the sacred groves, which might be even more intensive nowadays, in light of the financial crisis in the country. Immediate conservation action and rising of public awareness is needed for the protection of the above old-growth islands.

Vassiliki Kati

Assistant Professor on Biodiversity Conservation

Department of Environmental & Natural Resources Management

University of Ioannina, Seferi 2, 30100, Agrinio, Greece

Tel: +26410-74193, E-mail: vkati@cc.uoi.gr

http://www.env.uoi.gr/katien.html, www.cbcd.eu/gss