Reinforcement actions for two threatened species in Elaphonisi (Crete)
31 January 2017
Elaphonisi is a protected area on the island of Crete, hosting many endemic and rare plant species, and is included in the Natura 2000 network. However, being also one of the most famous touristic attractions in Crete, it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. During the past years, recreational activities have exerted a lot of pressure on the local habitats. As a result of this intensive touristic development, four plant taxa of the area were added to the IUCN List of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece.
Within the framework of the CARE-MEDIFLORA project, reinforcement actions were planned for 4 threatened species, naturally occurring in the area. The actions include seed collections from local populations (which began in spring 2016), cultivation into seedlings at the facilities of MAICh (seed bank laboratory and greenhouse) and, finally, seed and seedling planting of those species in their naturally occurring habitat. In December 2016, seeds and seedlings of Bellevalia brevipedicellata Turrill and Andocymbium rechingeri Greuter were planted on different sites in the area of Elaphonisi, which have various levels of impact due to touristic activities. The actions were implemented with the agreement of the Forest Directorate of Chania and the support of the Municipality Kantanou-Selinou.
Andocymbium rechingeri
Bellevalia brevipedicellata
Planting of seeds and seedlings of Andocymbium rechingeri