THE death It evolves into one of the most important environmental crises of Greek flora, with a pathogenic fungus spreading rapidly, threatening not only the presence of the tree in nature, but also the cultural identity of many areas. As he points out in Deutsche Welle Forestry Nicoletta Souliotis, special in forest pathology, scientists fight against a disaster that seems invincible.

Platanias are an integral part of the Greek countryside and collective memory. But for the younger generations, the precious experience of coolness and shadow under their foliage may soon belong to the past.

The fungus that eliminates the living legends of Greek nature

This pathogenic Known as ‘Pathogenic Quoter’ It entered Europe after World War II and first appeared in Greece in the early 2000s, initially focused on Messinia and Ilia. In spite of the efforts, There is no cure. The only management practice is isolation, in the areas that appear, to limit its spread.

Nicoleta Souliotis notes that the eastern plane tree, found mainly in Greece, is particularly vulnerable, presenting so far zero resistance.

Epidemiological dimensions and human responsibility

OR spreading The disease takes on epidemic dimensions, affecting almost all of Western Greece and having already reached Euboea. Man himself, unfortunately, acts as a key carrier, either by transferring tools and materials without disinfection, or intervening in the environment in ways that the trees hurt.

”The size of spread in Greece and Europe is directly related to the difficulty of controlling human activities“, Ms Souliotis emphasizes.

The inadequacy in understanding the risk by local communities

Local communities, as the expert notes, have not largely realized the size or consequences of the loss of Platanias. ”When the problem is perceived it is too late to reverses the situation“, he says.

On -the -spot interventions are less likely to success when the phenomenon has progressed, which leads to a gradual disappearance of the plane trees from the Greek rivers and forests.

Practical and aesthetic effects on ecosystems

The loss of the plane tree is not only aesthetic or cultural loss. The tree acts as natural “engineer” To support river slopes, protecting whole ecosystems from erosions and problems in water reserves. Its replacement of toxic animals and humans intensifies the problem.

With the aim of limiting damage, experts are prompting increased awareness and cooperation of all – individually and institutionally. ”We have new, improved legislation that, if implemented consistently, can brake the dissemination and rescue untouched areas“, concludes Nikoleta Souliotis.

The general loss of the plane tree, therefore, not only marks the end of a tree-consider for the country, but is a threat to biodiversity, historicity and sustainable operation of entire ecosystems.