.:Greece; Coastal marine ecosystems


Home \| About \| Help \| Jobs \| Contact Us \| Advertise With Us \| Submit Your Site

GREECE: COASTAL-MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

Greek coastline exceeding 16,000 km. in length - approximately two-fifths that of the Equator- the shores of Greece are characterized by remarkable variety both in morphology and biological species.
Sandy beaches, rocks, lagoons, dunes, river estuaries, coastal swamps, islets, underwater meadows and reefs compose a special, precious natural and tourist resource.

An important place in these coastal ecosystems is held by the habitats of endangered species, such as the Mediterranean seal Monachus monachus and the turtle caretta caretta which breed and live in Greece. Today there are realistic proposals for the conservation of these regions: the Alonnissos Marine Park in the Northern Sporades and the Zakynthos Marine Park. These represent a challenge for the implementation of management plans that will adequately combine protection and recreation.

Mediterranean seal Monachus Monachus, Alonnissos

Already the first signs of environmental action in Greece's tourist sector have appeared: participation in ecotourism programes, use of «environmentally friendly» products, guided tours of protected regions.

The Marine Park of the islands of the Northern Sporades (Alonnissos Isl.), in the central area of the Aegean sea, is a refuge of seals and dolphins and of dozens kinds of seabirds. Alonnissos provide shelter for one of the rarest Mediterranean's mamals: the Mediterranean, or "monk", seal (monachus monachus) classified as an endangered species, has found an ideal refuge in the Alonnissos Marine Park, that is a unique bio-habitat, not only for the Mediterranean seal but also for many other creatures.

The north-eastern coast of Evia Isl., from the village of Chiliathou to the village of Sarakiniko, the islands of Kimolos-Polyaegos of the Cyclades, and the island Sana north of Karpathos Island (Dodecanese), also provide refuge for the Mediterranean seal
Monachus monachus.

Information: MOM-Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, 18 Solomou St., GR-106 82 Athens, Tel. 010-5222888, Fax 010-5222450, e-mail: info@mom.gr, web site: www.mom.gr.

Carreta Carreta, Zakynthos

The Turtle Park in the island of Zakynthos, in the Ionian sea. There are two beaches, Laganas and Gerakas, where these rare sea creatures which are known as Caretta caretta, come ashore to dig their nests and lay their eggs.

Source: Tourist Guide of Greece® 2002