Biodiversity and Cultural diversity in Greece

Biodiversity, the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the
variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems. (Biodiversity,
2014) According to Thanasis Tsinganas, Greece is the richest country in Europe when it comes
to biodiversity. (Tapping into Greeces huge biodiversity, 2011) Greece has twenty five habitat
types including maquis, phrygana, wetlands, and forest habitats.
Greece, having the longest coastline in the Mediterranean, also
includes important marine and coastal habitats. Greece also has a
recorded 15,000 animal species. It is estimated that there is around
50,000 different species, and about 25% are endemic. (Greece-Country Profile, 2014) Greece
has around 700 animal species and about 900 plant species that are actually protected by law.
3.6% of total surface in Greece is designated for conservation categories. (Greece-Country
Profile, 2014)
After researching I found that in Greece there are some myths that go along with some of
the plant life located around the country. As one may know Greece has a strong belief in several
different Gods such as Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis, Zeus, Hermes, etc. The list goes on and on.
Ash, Manna, a spring-flowering deciduous tree, is sacred to the Gods,
Zeus (manna juice), Kouretes, and Ares (ash-spears). The myth of Pelian
Ash Spear, relating back to Ares, the spear of Akhilleus, was crafted from
an ash growing on Mount Pelion. (Plants & flowers of Greek Myth 1,
2014)
In ancient Greece, the dove was a symbol of love and fertility. The bird was associated
with the Greek Goddess of love. Still today it is common to see doves being released at wedding

ceremonies all around the world. For example in Chine the dove represents tranquility and
faithfulness, and in India, the bird symbolizes the soul. Birds are an important factor in Greek
mythology. The feathers of crows and ravens, according to Greek mythology we originally white
however Apollo, the God, punished the birds for either telling secrets or failing their duty as
guardians, by turning their feathers black.
While performing my research on biodiversity in Greece, it has come to my attention that
tourism to the country has its positives and its negatives when it comes to biodiversity. A
positive to tourism is Greece is that is bringing in the funds that the country needs in order to live
out of bankruptcy. However at the same time, tourism in the country can create pressure on local
resources including energy, food, land and water. ("Sustainable Tourism, 2014) Below you will
find a list of resources and the reasons they are in danger in Greece, retrieved from
http://www.biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/tourism-eng/why_problems.html.
The intensive use of water and land by tourism
The delivery and use of energy
Changes in the landscape coming from the construction of infrastructure, buildings, and
facilities.
Air pollution and waste
The compaction and sealing of soils
The disturbance of the fauna and local people
All in all Greece, does have a rich variety of biodiversity throughout the country. There are
some environmental issues that would affect the balance of biodiversity such as pollution and
land. However, in my opinion I think Greeces biodiversity is the reason it may be one of the
most popular countries to visit.

Sources:
Biodiversity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/biodiversity

Greece - Country Profile. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from

http://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=gr#status

Myths Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from

http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Be-Ca/Birds-in-Mythology.html

PLANTS & FLOWERS OF GREEK MYTH 1. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from
http://www.theoi.com/Flora1.html

Sustainable Tourism - Why Sustainable Coastal Tourism ? - Problems of Unsustainable Coastal

Tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from
http://www.biodiversity.ru/coastlearn/tourism-eng/why_problems.html

Tsinganas, T. (2011, May 31). Tapping into Greece's huge biodiversity. Retrieved November 18,
2014, from http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_31/05/2011_392944