DIKEMES / CYA
2014 Fall Semester
Mondays and Wednesdays, 17:15-18:50
Instructors: Costas Papaconstantinou, Ioli Christopoulou, Panagiota Maragou
G 350: The Natural Environment Of Greece: From Landscape Ecology To Conservation
Course Description, Goals ans Aims
This is a multidisciplinary course on the natural world of Greece, its lands and seas, focusing on
biodiversity and on humankind’s effects on the natural environment. It is a practical science-based
guide to the natural history of Greece and the Mediterranean, aiming to develop skills for field study
and act as an introduction to current nature conservation challenges. Field excursions within the
unique Mediterranean city of Athens and its surrounding provide students with practical skills,
research opportunities as well as hand’s on experience with nature appreciation. Students will learn to
“see” wildlife, to “interpret” ecological patterns to “read” landscapes and become aware of the
conservation challenges created by the usually conflicting needs of humans and nature. Students can
expect to gain knowledge of the basic features of nature in Greece and of the factors that affected its
evolution benefiting from the insight of several disciplines including environmental history,
conservation biology, biogeography, and environmental policy.
By the end of the course, students will be able to have an informed opinion on the following subjects:
- Geological history, physical geography and climatic features of Greece
- Mediterranean habitat types and landscape
- Basic flora and fauna identification
- Aspects of humankind’s long-term effects, pressures and impact on biodiversity
- Historical and current sociopolitical aspects of nature conservation in Greece
- Environmental policy advances and challenges
Requirements:
Students need not have experience in any science-based environmental studies for this course, but
need to be prepared for a multidisciplinary approach which includes skills development in research,
including field study.
Students are expected to attend all classes and field excursions and to complete assigned readings
before the relevant class session.
An important component in the final grade is the extent and quality of participation in class and
outdoor discussions.
Attendance is taken at each session. Only one (1) unexcused absence is allowed. Further absences
may result in the lowering of a student’s final grade. In the case of illness, it is the student’s
responsibility to contact the instructor (by email, phone or text message), and Ms. Nadia Melinioti,
Director of Student Affairs (by email), and to make up for missed work (please see the general
stipulations in the CYA student handbook).
Part of the course is taught outdoors: Brief field excursions during class hours have been scheduled.
Field excursions function as “labs” in this course and aim at: a) on–site knowledge development, b)
interpretation skills and field study methods development, and c) an introduction to potential semester
project sites and themes. Students should be prepared for some changes in the timing and location of
the field excursions as adjustments (depending on the weather) may need to be made; a few of the
field excursions may need to go slightly beyond class time period. Students will be advised and must
pay close attention to necessary safety measures and other precautions concerning risks related to
outdoor activities.
The semester project will involve individual work on a specific topic and will be based largely on
personal field study during the semester. This project may be developed in the form a PowerPoint
presentation (or equivalent slide presentation program). The PowerPoint presentation is an educational
slide program with photography, figures, animation and texts and should be self-explanatory. This
presentation will be submitted via an online file sharing program (details to follow). Successful titles
have included: “Parks of Athens”; Wildflowers of archeological sites”; “Almyros Lake and River: An
ecological survey of a natural island wetland and an assessment of conservation threats”; “An
environmental study of Andros”; “A walk up Lykabettus”; “Athens v. Thessaloniki: Which is a
greener city?” etc. Project themes and deadlines will be presented at the beginning of the course.
Text
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Catsadorakis, G. 2003. Greece’s Heritage from Nature. WWF Hellas. Available from the
CYA library.
Additional readings are available via Moodle or will be handed out.
Recommended Materials
-
Digital Camera (or a good camera on your cell phone)
Binoculars
Field note-book
These items are useful but not required, but can be helpful for the semester project and during the field
trips. They can enhance the students’ stay in Greece in general. The camera will be especially
important for “collecting” images of wildlife, fauna, flora, habitats and landscapes.
If you choose to buy binoculars, here is some useful information. Binoculars are described by two
numbers: the first refers to the magnification and the second to the diameter of the lens and the width
of the viewing areas. As a rule of thumb, the ratio between the two should be around 4 or 5.
Binoculars should also be light. Binoculars used often for bird watching are 8x32 or 8x40.
Assessments
-
-
Midterm examination (25%)
Class participation (10%)
Quizzes (20%)
Field Participation (15%)
Semester project (individual research) (30%)
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Schedule of Lectures
Note: Classes taught by: C. Papaconstantinou=P; I. CHRISTOPOULOU=C, P. MARAGOU=M.
Field trips will be led by one or two lecturers.
Theme I. Homeric landscapes: driving forces and processes that have shaped the Mediterranean
landscapes
1
Mon. 8 Sept. Course Introduction (P, C, M)
Overview of course and explanation of course requirements
The Mediterranean natural environment: conceptions and misconceptions.
Discussion. Students will be asked to present their perceptions on Mediterranean nature.
2 Wed. 10 Sept. The Mediterranean: brief natural history and its current environmental
state (P)
The “Mediterranean climate”, ecological adaptations to climate, human history of land use, current
environmental problems.
Readings: Blondel and Aronson, 2010: “Setting the scene,” pp. 1-22.
3 Mon. 15 Sept. Palaeogeography and geological history of Greece (P)
An overview of geological history. How Greece’s landscapes have evolved. The Holocene in
Greece – the importance of the last 10,000 yrs. The formation of present ecosystems in Greece.
Geomythology: Greek mythology as a result of dramatic geological events.
Readings: Catsadorakis: “Geology,” pp. 21-43 (right-hand pages, plus 22 and 24 left-hand pages).
Theme II. Studying Biodiversity: Habitats, Flora and Fauna
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Mon. 22 Sept. Terrestrial ecosystems: From phrygana to forests, alpine meadows and
wetlands (M)
An overview of the different terrestrial ecosystems, and the different habitat types that
characterize the Greek and the Mediterranean natural environment.
Readings: Catsadorakis: “Terrestrial Ecoystems,” pp. 77-109 (right-hand pages plus 82, 90-92)
“Wetlands,” pp.58-71; “Wetlands,”135-143.
Phitos. D., 1995. “The flora and vegetation of Greece: a brief overview” in The Red Data Book of
Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece pp. xxiii-xxxviii.
Blondel and Aronson, 2010: “Scales of observation,” 99-103; “A patchwork of habitats,” 118-133.
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Wed. 24 Sept. Field Excursion to Kaisariani Aesthetic Forest, Mount Hymettus (Vehicle
transport from DIKEMES)
Readings: Brown: “Introduction / Pathways to nature,” pp. 11-33.
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Mon. 29 Sept. Flora (M)
Origins and evolution of the Greek flora. The phenomenon of endemism and rarity. The
distinction between native, non-native and cultivated plants. Examples of common and widespread
species. Introductions and exports: alien species.
Readings: Catsadorakis pp. 104; 119-125.
Raine: “Plants,” pp. 5-21.
Blondel and Aronson, 2010: “Composition of the flora,” 32-38; “Present day terrestrial
biodiversity,” 52-55; 57-58.
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Kainadas et al. Flowers of Athens.
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Wed. 1 Oct. Field excursion – Field methods and skills
How to observe wildlife; how to collect and manage field data; how to design field research.
Wildlife watching skills – an introduction to collecting data, species identification; vegetation
study, field protocols. Details for a successful semester research project.
Readings: Raine: “The Basics,” pp. 3-4.
Roth: “The Art of Seeing / Trapping Observations,” pp. 7-30.
Review Kainadas et al. Flowers of Athens.
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Mon. 6 Oct. Fauna - Terrestrial animals (P)
Terrestrial wildlife: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds; their origins and
occurrence. The phenomenon of bird migration and its role in Mediterranean nature and culture.
Introductions: alien species. Basic conservation problems facing wildlife (species and habitats).
Readings: Catsadorakis: “Amphibians and Reptiles” pp. 145-149; “Birds,” pp. 149-155;
“Mammals/Other Animals,” pp. 157-165; 176 and 180
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Wed. 8 Oct. Field Excursion. National Garden (Walk from DIKEMES).
Readings: Study Field Sheet with wildlife/flora species names
10 Mon. 13 Oct. Inland Waters: Management challenges (M)
Inland waters and biodiversity. Is water scarcity a problem in Greece? An overview of inland
waters and the challenges of water management. The need for integrated water management and
the principles and challenges of the EU Water Framework Directive.
Readings:
European Commission, 2010. Water is for life: How the Water Framework Directive helps
safeguard Europe’s resources. Luxembourg. Available from:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/pdf/WFD_brochure_en.pdf.
11 Wed. 15 Oct. Life in the Archipelagos (P)
Marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Island biogeography and its implications for conservation.
Sea-life. Island wildlife. Adaptations to island environment. Alien species on islands. Humankind
in the archipelagos (fisheries, adaptations, impacts).
Readings: Catsadorakis: “Marine and coastal ecosystems,” pp. 53-57; “The sea,” pp. 167-171;
“The islands,” pp. 198.
Blondel and Aronson, 2010: “Life on islands,” pp. 140-146.
12 Mon. 20 Oct. Field excursion: Philopappou Hill
Readings: Study Field Sheet with wildlife/flora species names
Theme III: Humankind and biodiversity: Conservation Challenges
13 Wed. 22 Oct. Wildlife and Environment in Greece and EU policies (C)
European Union policies and legislation. The evolution of protected area concept in Greece and in
EU. The Natura 2000 protected-area network. The concept of wilderness.
Readings:
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European Commission, 2013. The EU Explained: Environment. Luxembourg. Available from:
http://europa.eu/pol/env/flipbook/en/files/environment.pdf
McCormick, John, 2001. Environmental Policy in the European Union. Basingstoke: Palgrave, pp.
238-245.
European
Commission,
2009.
Natura
2000.
Available
from:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/docs/nat2000/factsheet_en.pdf.
14 Fri. 24 Oct. Wildlife and Environment in Greece and EU policies (C)
Continue the discussion and Special workshop – Oikoskopio - online practice
Readings: European Commission 2009. Natura 2000 in the Mediterranean Region, Luxembourg.
Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/info/pubs/docs/biogeos/Mediterranean.pdf
Familiarize yourself with the Oikoskopio online tool: www.oikoskopio.gr (click the English flag
to activate the English version)
15 Mon. 27 Oct. Field Excursion
16 Wed. 29 Oct. Midterm in-class exam
17 Mon. 10 Nov. Natural heritage in urban environments (P)
Wildlife in modern and old cities, villages and archeological sites. Conservation and management
of urban wildlife. Urban Planning for Humans and Wildlife
18 Wed. 12 Nov. Cultural landscapes – the importance of traditional land uses (P)
“Natural” vs “man–made” habitats. Farming, shepherding and other patterns of human use on the
countryside as the key factors for shaping agricultural ecosystems - habitats and wildlife. Species
and habitat management challenges: “hands on” or “hands off”? Greek Crisis: impacts on land
use. Agri – environment schemes as tools for biodiversity conservation.
Readings: Blondel and Aronson: “Humans as sculptors of Mediterranean landscapes,” pp. 197206; 216-230.
19 Mon. 17 Nov. Conservation case-study: forest fires – misfortune or opportunity? (P)
How natural history interpretation may help manage a natural catastrophe. The adaptation of
Mediterranean ecosystems to fire. Vegetation succession and return of wildlife after fires. Post fire
management misconceptions.
Readings: Grove and Rackham: Fire: Misfortune or Adaptation? pp.238-240.
Blondel and Aronon, 2010: 146-147.
20 Wed. 19 Nov. Semester project presentations – in class
21 Mon. 1 Dec. Conservation in practice in Greece (C)
Environmentalism and modern environmental action in Greece. Successes, failures, and
challenges for the future. The role of NGOs and Volunteer organizations.
Readings: Catsadorakis: “Greece’s natural heritage” pp. 175-197 (right-hand pages).
Blondel and Aronson: “Challenges for the future,” pp. 264-288.
Papageorgiou, K. and Vogiatzakis, N. Ioannis, 2006. “Nature protection in Greece: An appraisal
of the factors shaping integrative conservation policy and policy effectiveness”. Environmental
Policy & Science 9, pp. 476-486.
22 Wed. 3 Dec. Role play
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Students will be provided with a script and assigned different roles so as to argue in favor or
against a certain conservation dilemma.
23 Mon. 8 Dec. Conservation in practice in Greece (C)
Readings: European Commission. 2013. EU attitudes towards biodiversity. Flash Eurobarometer
– Greece. http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_379_fact_el_en.pdf
Dimitrakopoulos, P. G. et al. 2010. "Local attitudes on protected areas: Evidence from three
Natura 2000 wetland sites in Greece.”
Apostolopoulou, E. and Pantis, J. D. 2009. “Conceptual gaps in the national strategy for the
implementation of the European Natura 2000 conservation policy in Greece” Biodiversity
Conservation 142, pp. 221-237.
Hadjibiros: “Sustainable development in a country with extensive presence of valuable biotopes,”
The Environmentalist. 16: 3-8.
24 Wed. 10 Dec. Conservation at a time of crisis (P, C, M)
Biodiversity conservation in a world of economic “chaos”.
Readings: Karavellas, D., 2012. “Greece's ‘invisible' green crisis”. European Voice. Available
from: http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/greece-s-invisible-green-crisis/73252.aspx
Navigate through the http://www.wwf.gr/crisis-watch/ website.
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Course Overview
Theme I. Homeric landscapes: driving forces and processes that have shaped
the Mediterranean landscapes
1
Mon. 8 Sept.
2
Wed. 10 Sept.
3
Mon. 15 Sept.
Course Introduction (P, M, C)
The Mediterranean: brief natural history and its current
environmental state (P)
Palaeogeography and geological history of Greece (P)
Theme II. Studying Biodiversity: Habitats, Flora and Fauna
4
Mon. 22 Sept.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Wed. 24 Sept.
Mon. 29 Sept.
Wed. 1 Oct.
Mon. 6 Oct.
Wed. 8 Oct.
Mon. 13 Oct.
Wed. 15 Oct.
Mon. 20 Oct.
Terrestrial ecosystems: From phrygana to forests, alpine meadows
and wetlands (M, C)
Field Excursion
Flora (M)
Field excursion
Terrestrial Animals (P)
Field Excursion
Inland Water – management challenges (M)
Life in the Archipelagos (P)
Field excursion
Theme III: Humankind and biodiversity – Conservation challenges
13
14
15
16
17
18
Wed. 22 Oct.
Fri. 24 Oct.
Mon. 27 Oct.
Wed. 29 Oct.
Mon. 10 Nov.
Wed. 12 Nov.
19 Mon. 17 Nov.
20
21
22
23
24
Wed. 19 Nov.
Mon. 1 Dec.
Wed. 3 Dec.
Mon. 8 Dec.
Wed. 10 Dec.
Wildlife and Environment in Greece and EU policies (C)
Wildlife and Environment in Greece and EU policies (C)
Field excursion
Midterm in-class exam
Natural heritage in urban environments (P)
Cultural landscapes – the importance of traditional land uses (P)
A conservation case-study: forest fires – misfortune or opportunity?
(P)
Semester project presentations
Conservation in practice in Greece (C)
Role Play (M)
Conservation in practice in Greece (C)
Conservation at a time of crisis (P, M, C)
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