The Red List, compiled by OFYPEKA, with the 11,500 endangered species of animals, plants and fungi in Greece
Under threat is located 21.5% of animal, plant and fungal species which were evaluated on the occasion of the celebration of the European Natura 2000 day, today 21 May.
With its announcement, the Ministry of Environment and Energy publishes the Red List, compiled by OFYPEKA, of the 11,500 endangered species of animals, plants and fungi in Greece.
In particular, the Red List is the largest database (redlist.necca.gov.gr) for Greek biodiversity and constitutes an emblematic project for the protection and management of Greek nature, offering, at the same time, to all interested parties access to scientific knowledge about tens of thousands of species of flora and fauna.
As part of the initiative, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (OFYPEKA) created a network of 140 Greek and foreign scientists, who with the cooperation and support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Hellenic Zoological Society ( EZE) and the Hellenic Botanical Society (EBE), evaluated thousands of species of animals, plants and fungi and classified them in categories at risk of extinction.
Globally, 28% of the species assessed by the IUCN are under threat. In the case of Greece, this percentage amounts to 21.5%, in all the species evaluated in the context of the Red List. One in five species assessed, that is, is threatened with extinction.
Regarding the individual taxonomic groups, 18.7% of the plants, 22.6% of the animals and 34.8% of the evaluated fungi belong to a threatened status.
In particular, 28.3% of birds, 31.3% of mammals, 13.3% of reptiles, 34.6% of amphibians and 21.5% of invertebrates are threatened with extinction.
Some species, thanks to the implementation of protection and conservation measures, are no longer directly threatened with extinction in the country and have moved to the category of low risk (LC). Typical examples of these are: the sea turtle Caretta caretta and the kestrel (Falco naumanni)
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Red List data are a valuable tool for biodiversity conservation, as targeted conservation actions and protection policies can be designed based on them to preserve Greece’s rich natural heritage and promote the sustainable management of its natural resources resources.
All of the species on the Red List of Greece were evaluated according to the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while all the endemic species of Greece that were evaluated in the framework of the project will gradually become part of the global red list of threatened species of the IUCN.
European Natura 2000 Day
May 21st has been designated as European Natura 2000 Day, to celebrate at European level, the protection of nature and the efforts of those who contribute, every day, to the success of this important undertaking.
The European Natura 2000 network is the largest network of protected areas in the world, as they exceed 27,000. At the same time, it is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union for the protection of nature.
Greece participates in this network, which acts as a life shield for endangered species of Greek flora and fauna and for areas of high environmental value. The Natura 2000 network also functions as a mechanism that takes care of the necessary balance between human activity and nature.
Source: Skai
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