Kalliopi Stara

The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between 1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries (λ = 0.940 in FYR of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines, the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and reverse population declines.

The Greek landscape is adorned with a dynamic relief ranging from gently undulating to rugged slopes of the high mountain zone, only a few kilometres from the coast. Especially in limestone substratum, numerous mountain-plains have been formed within the mountains. Since Antiquity, they have functioned as media of abundant and diverse
natural as well as cultural, tangible and intangible resources, and have contributed essentially to the formation a local identity for their inhabitants. This paper presents the convergent evolution of the cultural landscape in two distant mountain-plains by exploring the effect of historical management practices which local communities used to regulate social and economic needs. Data are drawn from interdisciplinary research in Soudena of Zagori (NW Greece) and in Soudena of Kalavryta (SW Greece), stimulated by oral traditions of their inhabitants that they share a common origin, based on the belief that the latter was colonised by Soudeniotes of Zagori during the Ottoman period. Notably, analogous patterns of ancient and modern time trajectories of landscape use have been found. Villages located in the edges of the plateaus, scattered outlying churches, dry-stone walls, wells, threshing fl oors, handmade drainage canals, and non-intensive agricultural practices are still existing remains of a relict cultural landscape, still in use in both areas. Recent population exodus, partly rearrangement of the most productive land, transition of farmland to pastureland and encroachment of vegetation in the rough surrounding slopes are similar modern
transformations. Nowadays, both areas belong to national and international networks for conserving their values, but mountain-plains may hide more interesting bio-cultural secrets.

Common farmland birds are declining throughout Europe; however, marginal farmlands that escaped intensification or land abandonment remain a haven for farmland species in some Mediterranean mountains. The purpose of this study is to identify the most important anthropogenic microhabitat characteristics for Red-Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra) and Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) in three such areas within the newly established Northern Pindos National Park. We compare land use structural and physiognomic characteristics of the habitat within 133 plots containing birds paired with randomly selected "non-bird" plots. Using logistic regression and classification-tree models we identify the specific habitat requirements for each of the three birds. The three species show a preference for agricultural mosaics dominated by rangelands with scattered shrub or short trees mixed with arable land. Areas with dikes and dirt roads are preferred by all three species, while the presence of fences and periodically burned bushes and hedges are of particular importance for Red-Backed Shrike. Across the gradient of vegetation density and height, M. calandra is mostly found in grasslands with few dwarf shrubs and short trees, S. communis in places with more dense and tall vegetation of shrub, trees and hedges, and L. collurio, being a typical bird of ecotones, occurs in both habitats and in intermediate situations. In all cases those requirements are associated with habitat features maintained either directly or indirectly by the traditional agricultural activities in the area and particularly by the long established extensive controlled grazing that prevent shrub expansion.

This paper explores the changing relationship between society and the environment, taking as a proxy the local valuation of trees in Zagori, NW Greece. We used voucher specimens and asked informants to score perceived value for selected tree species and list associations with the trees. The 4,511 responses were sorted into broad categories. Utilitarian values dominated responses although intangible values were a constant feature. In species that were culturally dominant in the past the change in utilitarian values has been dramatic. Younger informants failed to identify common tree species and were generally unaware of values attached to trees by previous generations. Some species remain highly valued but now more for their intangible significance. We argue that simple tools to record the valuation of trees are useful in exploring the relationship between people and the landscape they inhabit.

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.

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.

In the mountains of Northwest Greece, important and characteristic features of the cultural landscape are the sacred forests of the area. Over the last five years, the University of Ioannina has hosted an interdisciplinary project entitled “Conservation through Religion: the Sacred Groves of Epirus” (“SAGE” 2012-2015, scientific coordinator John M. Halley), aiming at the study of the biodiversity and cultural value of these sacred forests and their effective conservation. As part of the feedback to the local communities with which we worked, we created an environmental education package entitled: «Ancient trees, their values and importance for biodiversity conservation». This was based on the results of SAGE project and paid special attention to local culture and history, as well as the appreciation of trees as habitats for many other organisms and as long living creatures with aesthetic, spiritual and historic value that can inspire people towards Nature conservation. This education package has been certificated by the Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs (2016) and it will be distributed to the primary schools of the area and other institutions that implement environmental education programs or activities.

Investigating the structure of ecological boundaries is a crucial issue for forest research to understand how adjacent systems interact and exchange flows of resources, both spatially and temporally. Their appraisal is, however, challenging, especially in landscapes where cultural and social variables strongly influence boundary configuration. Among the Mediterranean cultural landscapes, sacred groves in Northern Epirus are a notable example of a long-term coupled socio-ecological system. Their current structure is thought to result from centuries of interaction between the push of social processes (religious taboos, community protection status, local management practices, rural land abandonment) and ecological responses (presence of forest patches in the landscape, changes in plant growth form, increase in tree life spans, infilling of secondary vegetation). The impact of these processes on boundary properties make an excellent case study of coupled human and natural systems, to investigate if the ecological sacred forest structure is depicted by the history of local communities' rules and practices. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, we sampled the age and size structure of the sacred grove of Agios Nikolaos (Northern Epirus, Greece), mapped topography, determined viewsheds, and obtained anthropological and historical data from documents, maps and interviews with community members. The results suggest that local management and social norms are critical in structuring the landscape of sacred groves, with current vegetation boundaries still influenced by the legacy of historic sacred-grove management. Further research will include modeling of the social-ecological interface to predict the future effects of land abandonment on sacred forest spatial structure; developing and testing a flexible tool that could be adapted to other socio-ecological contexts.