Conservation, threats and challenges of rangeland management in western Greece mountain SPA’s: The example of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus)
Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) used to be the most common and widespread big raptor of Greece, following transhumant activities and movements probably from the prehistoric time. Moving along riversides and ancient roads, from extensive open woodlands and lowland rangelands nearby wetlands, towards summer pastures in the picks of the Pindos mountain range, the birds followed huge flocks of moving animals transported by foot and nowadays mainly by trucks. Several breeding colonies of griffon vultures were located along the backbone of Pindos, but today only three remain active, numbering probably less than 15 pairs. These birds still disperse in the wider area searching the extensive mountain terrain for food. Several accidental observations show that this population attracts birds also from other Balkan countries. A characteristic example is a griffon vulture born in Croatia, tagged with a satellite transmitter in north Italy that settled this year in Akarnanika –Boumistos mountains, but it has been also located as far as in Agrafa, Tzoumerka and Xirovouni (Thessaly and Epirus regions), visiting or roosting in several deserted griffon vultures colonies. Most of the above areas are designated as SPA’s (Special Protected Areas within the Natura 2000 network for the conservation of birds). Although, due to the extensive use of illegal poison baits against carnivores, many SPAs have lost their breeding raptors, such us griffon, bearded, Egyptian vulture and golden eagle, which are included nowadays in the National Red Data Book. Environmental Impact Assessments of Wind Turbine Development proposals do not take into account the periodical use of mountains by species of international conservation importance. Linking SPA’s through management practices that maintain anthropogenic habitats, support traditional extensive livestock breeding practices and promoting local high quality dairy products should be a priority for maintaining mountain biodiversity and especially vultures as flagship species for conservation.
The value of different ecotopes as hunting areas for the hare in prefectures of Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki
Mediterranean ecosystems are characterized by a variety of ecotopes. Different ecotopes offer hunting in different quantity and quality to hunting license holders. This offer was examined for the harvest of hares. For 291 harvested hares (Lepus europaeus) in the prefectures of Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki the ecotype was described in position that hares were hunted. The greatest harvest in unit area was recorded in areas with mosaic of cereals, olive groves and forest vegetation, in contrast the lowest in woodland with arboreal vegetation. The classification of ecotopes according to the hunting value contributes to the appropriate management.
Mites of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) found on grasses of rangelands
Mites have worldwide distribution and major contribution in biodiversity of fauna in a wide range of soil and rangeland types. Phytoseiid mites found in rangelands are mainly predators of other invertebrates, while some feed on fungi, pollen or plant sap. During this study, samples of grasses from varied rangeland ecosystems in Greece were collected and examined. In total, 23 species of the family Phytoseiidae were found belonging to 2 subfamilies (Amblyseiinae, Typhlodrominae), 7 genera (Amblyseius, Arrenoseius, Graminaseius, Neoseiulus, Proprioseiopsis, Transeius, Typhlodromus) and 2 subgenera (Anthoseius, Typhlodromus).
Presence of the mite family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) on forest plant species of the family Fagacae
Family Phytoseiidae consists of free living, terrestrial mites that mostly feed on other mites (e.g. Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tarsonemidae, Eriophyoidea etc.) and other arthropods such as scale insects which might be important pests of forest plant species of the family Fagaceae. Great number of samples from 7 plant species of the family Fagaceae, Castanea sativa Mill., Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus aegilops L., Quercus coccifera L., Quercus ilex L., Quercus macedonica A.DC. and Quercus pubescens Willd., from many localities of Greece were examined. This study revealed the presence of 31 phytoseiid mite species belonging to 3 subfamilies (Amblyseiinae, Phytoseiinae, Typhlodrominae), 9 genera (Amblyseius, Aristadromips, Euseius, Kampimodromus, Neoseiulella, Paraseiulus, Phytoseius, Typhlodromus, Typhloseiulus) and 2 subgenera (Anthoseius, Typhlodromus). Six of these species have already been described as new to science while Aristadromips massei (Nesbitt) is a new record for the fauna of Greece.
The importance of Katsikas wet meadows for the conservation of endangered wetland avifauna of the Lake Pamvotis
This paper examines the use of Katsikas wet meadows by waterbirds, during the periods of winter/spring 2010-2011 and winter/spring 2012-2013. Katsikas is an area located in the southern part of Lake Pamvotis near Ioannina, a city in Northwestern Greece. The purpose of our research was to examine the importance of this habitat for the presence of the endangered avifauna of Lake Pamvotis. We collected data during two periods of systematic observation and we further combined the findings with previously unpublished data. Systematic surveys were conducted every 7 days, in a six-month period (December 14th to June 19th), with full coverage of the study area. Additionally, once a month on the same date every year, we mapped the extent of flooded wet meadows in that area. 77 waterbird species have been recorder in Lake Pamvotis, while 76,62% of them were also located in Katsikas wet meadows. Among the 22 endangered bird species (Greek Red Data Book, 2009) of Lake Pamvotis, a subset of 16 species (80%) were also recorded in Katsikas wet meadows. Similarly, 21 (75%) of the 28 species of the lake, included in Annex I of Birds Directive 2009/147/EC, were recorded in the study area. Differences in the extent of flooded wet meadows, during the two study periods, in combination with the respective reductions they brought on the species’ number, showed that flooded areas are important for the maintenance of significant populations of endangered species, during winter and up to the end of the spring migration period. Our results support the urgency of habitat restoration for waterbird in Lake Pamvotis Special Protected Area, as part of the proposed Katsikas Wetland Park.
