|
 |
|
|
|
|
Help
us safeguard the future ...
|
|
Stranger you have reached a famous land,
Here in
green foliage chants the nightingale,
Here is the forest
home of reveling Dionysus
with nymphs that nurse
him.
Here, day after day,
Blooms the fair narcissus, fed
on dew,
The flower that crowns the goddesses,
And here
as well
Glows the golden crocus… From Sophocles, Oedipus at
Colunus
Haymeadows ( by Paul
Whitehead)
The only significant haymeadows located
on Zakynthos are on marine clays and overlying colluvium in
the Gerakas area. Haymeadows in spring are a magnificent sight
with massed flowers of Galactites Tomentosa Moench. and
Chrysanthemum coronarium L.Other characteristic plants include
Lotus, Anthllis tetrapylla L., Medicago orbicularis (L.)
Bartol, Onobrychis Caput-galli (L.)Lam, Thapsia garganica L.
and Arum Italicum Miller. However changing social trends
gathering pace are beginning to threaten the existence of some
of the traditional meadows, which also support a rich fauna of
phytophagos coleoptera.
Sea Daffodil (Pancratium
Maritimum)
This magnificent lily, with its
intoxicating scent, flowers on the beaches of Greece from
August to September, mostly in lone splendour. Unfortunately
its survival is being threatened by the development of tourism
in coastal areas, many visitors digging up the onion like bulb
and taking them home. Luckily this beautiful flower can still
be found on the southern beaches of zakynthos, especially at
Gerakas and Banana beach. It is important that it is protected
and the bulbs should not be uprooted.
Cyclamen (Cyclamen
graecum)
There are two species of this wild flower
to be found in Greece, the early and late flowering Cyclamen.
This cyclamen appears after the first rains, around early
October, covering the hillsides and olive groves in tiny pink
flowers.The Zakynthians
special name for the flower is kopelitsas, as the flower
resembles a little girl with frilly skirts. The ancient Greeks
also had a special name for them, calling them Chelonion
because the tubers of the plant are shaped like
turtles.
Help us safeguard the future of these
unique habitats and ensure the survival of some of the worlds
most endangered wildlife
species.
Forests &
Vegetation
The Vegetation of Zakynthos a
status report by Paul Whitehead:
An approximation
of closed canopy forest exists locally in the south eastern
peninsula where, in Xercastello area, Quercus coccifera L.of
large tree size forms a mountain ridge drape, with aged
Phillyrea latifolia L., mature Cupressus sempervirens L.(both
varieties), and well-developed Pistacia lentiscus L. This has
high conservation value subject to its continued exclusion
from cyclic burning. Pinus halepensis Mill is a natural
mountian plateau survivbor or regenerative, following burning
on thin soils, and is planted as shelterbelts and
slope-fixatives. Some of the pines show characters of Pinus
brutia Ten. (regarded in Greece as a distinct species), the
two forming introgressive hybrids.
Historic landscape marker trees,
characteristic of medieval Europe, and generally declined, can
still be seen near old settlements, and include such species
as Pinus pinea L. Populus alba L.,(some planted early this
century) and some areas, fine open-grown Ulmus canescens
Melville. In the mountain villages some of these old trees
still serve useful purposes, but many, like an ancient
coppiced Ceratonia well marker at Porto Roma are no
more.
The wealth of
herbaceous perennial plants which follows in the wake of
cyclic burning is soon replaced by the well-known macquis with
its characteristic xerophytes such as Calicotome and
Sarcopoterium. The Phrygana is a characteristic community of
almost equidistantly spaced subshrubs, such as Cistus and
Sarcopoterium often on thin soils in maritime exposure. On
some of the northern mountain plateaux, Thymus capitatus(L)
Hoffmans. and Link becomes dominant and forms a characteristic
communitiy. The macquis and Phrygana both have characteristic
invertebrate faunas.
Forest conservation a cause
for concern
The long standing mixed pine forest of
the Vasilkos Peninsila provide a verdant backdrop to the
beaches and important sanctuary for migratory and resident
birds. During the year 2000 season, Earth Sea & Sky
volunteers cleared tonnes of rubbish from the forest interior.
Forest Fires
Forest fires have
risen at an alarming rate through out Greece over the last ten
years. One of the major reasons for this is the absence of a
National Forest Map. With the confusion over land
delimitation, fires have been caused intentionally by
individuals eager to develop their land. WWFs Forest 4 Life
campaign has created great political pressure, and with 40,000
signatures their efforts have resulted in Greece changing
their forest legislation.
In
October 2000 the headland above Gerakas beach, on the island
of Zakynthos was devastated by fire. Much of the forest and
headland formed part of the newly designated National Park, on
land marked for protection in Zone F1 as part of a
Presidential Decree signed December 1999.
The 1st October was an overcast day, with strong
winds blowing from the sea across the headland. It is
therefore difficult to envisage how this fire could have
started naturally, and the suspected attack gives cause for
great concern, and highlights the need for greater protection
of this very important nesting site, and area of natural
beauty.
- Earth Sea & Sky urge the
Greek government to establish special forest fire services
at all protected areas, and implement a strong forest
policy.
- Increase funding of the
Forestry commission, and environmental education.
- Enforce the laws on National
Forest Maps, and clarify land tenure
rights.
This web
site designed & maintained by:
Web
designers, multimedia products, business presentations &
theatre
services.
| |
|
|
|
|
Inspiration of Artists &
Poets...
The
Greek Ionian islands are some of the greenest Greek islands,
blossoming in early spring, even in their most arid parts.
Their lush green landscape and fertile plains have inspired
many artists and poets, in particular Lord Byron who once
visited the islands. During venetian rule Zakynthos was
referred to as Fiore de Levante, Flower of the East, and is
still sometimes referred to today as Zante.
Greece and her islands are far richer in
flowers than any other european country, with more than 6,000
species as opposed to 2,300 in the britiish isles. Hardly
surprising that many holiday makers are attracted to the
island in early May or late September, when the hillsides are
carpeted with wild flowers.
Recommended reading
For those interested in learning more
about the wild flowers of Greece
- Greek wild flowers and plant lore in Ancient Greece Herbert Press
- Wild Flowers of
Greece Efsthiadis press
- Trees & Shrubs of
Greece
Medicinal plants
| |
