GCU 114 The Biodiversity of Greece Greece is well-known for their spectacular landscapes, architecture, and beaches.

Greece inhabits more than nine hundred species of wildlife and about nine thousand species of flora, a gorgeous flower. The landscape of Greece is vastly different by it is surround by bodies of water on all sides, which makes the country of Greece a peninsula. Greece has a Mediterranean climate, which means that it is mostly hot and dry during the summer time. During the winter time, it is wet, short, and slightly mild. Based on the physical map of Greece, there are some parts of the country that forests are covered in. One of my concerns is the forests fire that have swept through. The olive trees could be

affected, and there will not be any more olive trees. The New York Times article states that Greece only holds a mere 4 percent share of the international olive-oil industry (Davidson). Greece is very fruitful in olives, and produce olive oil.

Illustration by Peter Oumanski Greece has mountain ranges that are home to most of the wildlife species like birds. One of the wellknown national parks of Greece is Olympus National Park. Olympus National Park was said to be where the gods and goddesses of mythology were from. Now this famous national park, has over 1,700 species of plants. That is 25% of Greek flora. Olympus National park has four vegetation zones. The first zone is 300 to 500 meters, which is the home of different types of bushes and trees holm oak, Greek strawberry tree, kermes oak, and cedar. The second zone is 600 to 1400 meters that is home to different fruit plants and trees. The third zone is 1400 to 2500 meters which is the home to a rare pine, Pinus heldreichii. The last zone is 2500 meters, which has the highest forest, low vegetation, and rare wild flowers like flora (Paradox Interactive, 2008). Olympus is home to thirty two species of mammals and many different types of butterflies.

Olympus National Park

Greece has a diversity of animals. Although, more than fifty different types of animals that inhabit the home of Greece are endangered. These endangered animals and amphibians, include the Mediterranean monk seal, the loggerhead sea turtle, the European mink, Crete spiny mouse, the Cretan shrew, Audouins gull, the Cretan frog, Luschans salamander, and the bottlenose dolphin. Some of these animals and amphibians are becoming endangered because of captivity, lack of fish, and climate change. Most of the sea animals and birds live off fish, and that is their source to stay alive. Greece has many fishermen selling fish at the markets. That is has to be one of the effects of the animals lives.

Mediterranean Monk Seal

Bottlenose Dolphin

Loggerhead Seat Turtle

In conclusion, Greece has a diversity of plants, trees, animals, and wildlife that inhabit the country. It is important that the government needs to preserve the national parks and help the sea animals. There are many sea animals and mammals that are endangered because of the lack of food. Olympus National Park is the home to many different types of plants. The biodiversity of Greece is very unique.

Sources 1. Davidson, Adam. Peter Oumanski, Ilust. (2012). The New York Times: What Greece Makes the World Might Take. [Web Photo] Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/magazine/what-greecemakes-the-world-might-take.html?pagewanted=all 2. Hapsis, Loukas. (2013). National Geographic: Olympus National Park. [Web Photo] Retrieved from http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/parks/olympus-greece/#close-modal 3. Paradox Interactive. (2008). Olympus National Park. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.olympusfd.gr/us/Xlorida_Panida.asp 4. Go Greece Your Way. (2013). Protection of Endangered Species. Retrieved from http://gogreeceyourway.gr/protection-of-endangered-species/ 5. Mediterranean Monk Seal. (2013). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.earthfocus.org/2007/09/monk-seals---th.html 6. Red Orbit. (2013). Bottlenose Dolphin. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/science_1/mammalia/2577158/bottlenose_dolp hin/ 7. Skerry, Brian J. (2013). National Geographic: The Loggerhead Turtle. [Web Photo] Retrieved from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/loggerhead-sea-turtle/