Yiannis G. Zevgolis

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• Ph.D. in Ecology
• Post-doctoral researcher at University of the Aegean

Understanding fine-scale spatial ecology is essential for defining effective conservation priorities, particularly at the range margins of vulnerable species. Here, we investigate the spatial ecology and habitat associations of the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) on Lesvos Island, Greece, representing the species’ westernmost distribution. Usin...

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) presents a significant conservation and management challenge in Greece. While it has been listed in national biodiversity assessments, its population dynamics on the island of Lemnos demonstrate the characteristics of a highly adaptable and rapidly expanding species, exerting substantial ecological and ec...

The coypu (Myocastor coypus), a semi-aquatic rodent native to South America, has established invasive populations across North America, Asia, and Europe. In Greece, since its initial recording in 1965, the species has been rapidly expanding, forming sizable populations in northern continental regions. However, the extent of its invasion and the env...

The Anatolian mole rat (Nannospalax xanthodon) is a mammal known for its specialized adaptations to a subterranean existence. Here, we present a field observation of an N. xanthodon individual exhibiting an unusual escape behavior in response to the risk of predation from a domesticated mammal. Faced with this imminent danger, the mole rat displaye...

Traffic intensification, often in conjunction with habitat fragmentation, has caused frequent roadkill incidents, particularly among reptiles, amphibians, and other taxa. Herpetofauna species, which are slow moving and habitat dependent, are particularly susceptible to these incidents because they often use roads during thermoregulation. Lesvos, th...

Decreases in animal mortality due to wildlife-vehicle collisions have been consistently documented as an environmental effect of human mobility restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate this phenomenon on the mid-sized Mediterranean island of Lesvos, considering a multi-species group of mamm...

Argonauta argo (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly known as the greater argonaut, is a pelagic octopod with a circumglobal distribution in warm and temperate seas. Although the species is occasionally reported in the Mediterranean Sea, confirmed in situ observations of live individuals remain scarce, particularly in the eastern basin. Here, we document the...

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is a large, generalist predator widely distributed across Eurasia, including mainland Greece, where it occupies a broad range of habitats. Its diet is known to consist primarily of mammals and birds, with reptiles occasionally included. However, to date, chameleons have not been documented among its prey. Here, we...

Centennial traditional olive groves are increasingly acknowledged as critical habitats within agricultural landscapes, playing a significant role in biodiversity conservation and supporting various wildlife species. In the Mediterranean region, these groves provide not only agricultural resources but also essential habitat features, such as shelter...

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a highly adaptable species that exerts significant pressure on agricultural systems, often resulting in significant crop productivity losses and persistent economic challenges for farmers. On Lemnos Island, NE Greece, the activity of O. cuniculus has become a persistent problem, with frequent claims fo...

Islands are globally recognized as biodiversity hotspots, yet their ecological integrity is highly vulnerable to the introduction of non-native species due to their often limited biotic resilience and isolation. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) serves as a paradigmatic example of an introduced species whose ecological impact is particula...

Indirect interactions enforce ecological and evolutionary dynamics within pollination networks. An effective way to study overall indirect interactions in a network is through motif profiles, which represent the network’s mesoscale structure, as well as species’ structural roles, reflecting their participation in motifs. Here, we surveyed 37 pollin...

The process of siting municipal solid waste landfills in Greece faces significant challenges due to land resource limitations, the country's mountainous and water-permeable terrain, and strong public opposition. This study introduces a novel methodology for optimizing landfill sites on Lemnos Island in the North Aegean Sea using a Fuzzy Spatial Mul...

Invasive alien species frequently encounter limited natural predation pressure in their non-native ranges, which can contribute significantly to their unchecked proliferation and adverse ecological impacts. Here, we document a novel instance of a livestock guardian dog preying upon an adult coypu (Myocastor coypus) in Lake Kerkini, Greece—a signifi...

High oro-Mediterranean pine forests represent biodiversity hotspots, characterized by a unique convergence of environmental conditions, harbour distinct and specialized plant communities, with Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian pine) representing the dominant tree species. In Greece, P. heldreichii plays a critical role in ecosystem function within these h...

The pine forests of the island of Lesvos, Greece, have recently been subject to an unprecedented surge in tree mortality attributable to bark beetle infestations, posing a critical threat to the island’s forest ecosystem integrity and biodiversity. Despite this alarming trend, there remains a gap in our understanding of the specific factors that de...

We conducted a habitat suitability assessment for two burrowing rodents, Anatolian or Nehring’s blind mole rat (Nannospalax xanthodon) and Harting’s vole (Microtus hartingi), on the island of Lesvos using a niche-based approach. We collected data on the presence of the two species across the island and selected several environmental variables, incl...

Jellyfish play a critical role in marine ecosystems, influencing primary productivity and supporting diverse ecological functions. However, despite their recognized ecological significance, many species, including the lesser-known taxa like Drymonema, remain understudied, revealing a substantial gap in our understanding of their ecological roles an...

The Mediterranean Sea hosts a diverse array of marine species, including the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a keystone species for conservation efforts. However, knowledge of its nesting localities within the Aegean Sea, particularly in the northern regions, remains limited. Here, we report the first documented instances of successful log...

The Mediterranean region stands as a prominent biodiversity hotspot for the full spectrum of its habitats. However, it ranks among the most extensively invaded regions globally. This characterization aptly applies to the Balkan Peninsula, an expanse renowned for its elevated levels of biodiversity and endemism concerning freshwater fishes. Among th...

In recent years, traditional olive groves have undergone a shift towards modern farming practices, raising concerns about their potential impact on local fauna. Despite the documented effects of various agricultural practices on wildlife, there is a notable gap in understanding the implications of pruning practices in traditional olive groves. This...

Simple Summary The expansion of road networks poses a significant threat to wildlife, particularly reptiles and amphibians, within protected areas (PAs). To address this concern, we examined road mortality patterns among herpetofauna in a Greek-protected wetland over 12 years (2008–2019), utilizing a combination of statistical modeling and spatial...

Featured Application Integrating infrared thermography with olive tree traits and their stressors enhances centennial olive tree monitoring and management in Mediterranean traditional agroecosystems. Abstract Centennial olive trees, integral components of traditional Mediterranean agroecosystems, hold immense value as repositories of biodiversity...

Dormice are arboreal and nocturnal rodents belonging to the Gliridae family, commonly found in forest ecosystems. Among the 11 occurring in the Western Palearctic, three can be found in Greece: the Edible dormouse (Glis glis), Forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), and the rarest Hazelnut dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). However, data on the geogr...

Harting’s Vole, Microtus hartingi, is found in areas of central and western Turkey and of the Balkans, with its distribution in Europe being notably fragmented. The island of Lesvos is the only island where the species occurs. M. hartingi is a colonial rodent that excavates subterranean networks in a variety of habitats. The species is sporadically...

Phloem-feeding insect outbreaks present a significant threat to pine tree populations, resulting in severe ecological and economic consequences. Recently, the island of Lesvos, Greece, has experienced an increased incidence of phloem-feeding insect outbreaks on pine trees (Pinus brutia), necessitating the implementation of effective monitoring and...

Located in the eastern Mediterranean, the island of Lesvos marks the western boundary for the distinctive population of Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) in Europe. Given its distribution and ecological characteristics, our study sought to gain insights into the spatial dynamics of S. anomalus on Lesvos Island. We assembled a dataset comprising 4...

The Coypu (Myocastor coypus), a semi-aquatic rodent species indigenous to South America, has established itself as an invasive alien species in various regions across North America, Asia, and Europe due to deliberate introductions for fur trade purposes. Since its first observation in Greece in 1965, this invasive rodent has exhibited exceptional a...

Phloem-feeding insects pose a significant threat to trees as they disrupt nutrient flow through the phloem tissue, ultimately resulting in tree mortality. Over the past two years, the pine forest located on the island of Lesvos, Greece, has encountered a rise in phloem-feeding insect infestations that specifically target Pinus brutia trees. This es...

Resin, a forest product with diverse applications, has been utilized for numerous years. Despite its historical utilization in resin collection, the impact of resin tapping on the growth of East Mediterranean Pine (Pinus brutia) remains elusive. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of resin tapping on the growth o...

The Green toad (Bufotes viridis) is a species of great ecological significance found on Lesvos Island, which boasts remarkable biodiversity. However, in recent years, the population of Green toads has been increasingly threatened by roadkills. This study focuses on investigating the spatial patterns of roadkill incidents and evaluating their impact...

Featured Application The universal applicability of thermal and phenotypic indices enables the assessment of tree health across diverse ecosystems. Abstract Successful conservation through monitoring of ecosystems and species, which entails the quantification of disturbances at the ecosystem, species, and population levels, presents significant ch...

Animal personality pertains to the distinctive variations in behavior, cognition, and emotion that are relatively stable over time and in different situations. When animals encounter stress, their bodies undergo physiological alterations that may be employed as a gauge to estimate physiological stress. However, measuring these changes can be diffic...

The use of fishing nets has a widespread impact on marine, saline-brackish, and freshwater environments, as well as the species occurring in them. While the nets are intended to capture fish and other target species, they often result in high mortality rates of many other fauna species through bycatch and entanglement. Fishing nets that are lost, d...

Despite a recent shift towards sustainable practices to support the conservation of traditional olive groves, little is known about their potential threats to herpetofauna species. On the island of Lesvos, one of the main olive-growing islands in the Mediterranean, olive cultivation often prioritizes the expeditious harvesting of olives with minima...

Simple Summary Among introduced alien species, one of the most widespread and successful predators on island ecosystems is the domestic cat. This opportunistic carnivore is considered responsible for numerous island species’ extinctions and species’ population declines, with small mammals having the higher predation risk among all species that are...

Island wetlands are considered crucial to biodiversity due to their unique ecological, biogeographical, and socioeconomic dynamics. However, these habitat types are particularly vulnerable to invasion; invasive species can cause severe ecological, evolutionary, and epidemiological impacts on native species. One of the most important invasive specie...

The Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is a Southwest Asian species of squirrel with a single European Union population on the island of Lesvos in Greece. We evaluated the impact of land cover and tree density habitat variables on squirrel spatial distribution on the island. Our analysis was based on 240 localities of recorded occurrence of the sp...

In pine stands systematic harvesting of forest products, such as resin extraction, are known to affect trees’ vitality and consequently their response to fungal diseases. The latter constitutes a serious threat for standing vigorous trees, thus early warning signals and short diagnosis time of fungal pathogens, are crucial for designing effective f...

The global decline of bats due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as accelerated climate change, demands more widespread monitoring of populations for conservation and management. Current censusing methods for bat colony size estimates are based on capture, passive acoustics, sight counts or optical-mechanical count methods. Infrared thermo...

The measurement of the maximum temperature of the eye area of a mammal (Teye) can be used as a proxy to estimate Stress-Induced Hyperthermia (SIH) and can be detected via non-invasive methods, such as infrared thermography. The potential benefits from non-invasive monitoring of stress, through thermographic assessment of SIH, are significant, espec...

Spercheios River, a major river in the eastern part of Central Greece, has a particular ecological interest due to its designation as a Site of Community Interest and as a Special Protection Zone of the NATURA 2000 network. In recent years, the river's catchment area and delta has faced several pressures caused mainly by anthropogenic activities, s...

Rodents’ physiological response to emotions experienced during stressful stimuli, referred to as stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) and is associated with heat loss from their thermoregulatory body parts. Estimating heat loss from their non-insulating areas can be used as a proxy to estimate SIH and can be detected via infrared thermography (IRT). W...

Urban trees are a fundamental and key component of urban green areas, however, they are subject to several stresses which can compromise their mechanical integrity through the development of defects such as wood decay. In this study, we evaluated the structural health state of trees in four urban parks in the city of Mytilene, Greece, using structu...

Heat loss from non-insulating body parts of rodents can be used as a proxy to Stress-Induced Hyperthermia (SIH) and can be detected via non-invasive methods, such as infrared thermography (IRT). Although IRT has been systematically used to detect SIH in captive or laboratory animals, very few studies have been performed in wild situations. We inves...

Conservation of traditional olive groves through effective monitoring of their health state is crucial both at a tree and at a population level. In this study, we introduce a comprehensive methodological framework for estimating the traditional olive grove health state, by considering the fundamental phenotypic, spectral, and thermal traits of the...

The analysis of predatory bird pellets, like those of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba), remains an economical and relatively easy way to collect valuable data regarding the ecology and distribution of small mammals in an area. Moreover, valuable information can be extracted regarding the quality of the ecosystem and the biotic interactions between species....

Road mortality of wildlife is estimated from thousands to millions of individuals each year and is one of the main impacts of road networks. In Greece, the first sporadic and/or local data on the problem of road kills appeared recently. The purpose of this study was to enhance the existing information of reptiles’ and amphibians’ road mortality, th...

Roads are considered to be one of the most important factors that negatively affect wildlife as they increase the non-natural mortality of animals, are obstacles to their mobility, and reduce the connectivity of populations by limiting their dynamics. Herpetofauna, in particular, is the most vulnerable group of vertebrates as they move slowly, show...

Estimating the density of medium-sized cryptic and/or nocturnal mammals, such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), although particularly important for wildlife management, is a challenge both due to sampling methods and the difficulty in locating the animals. An indirect estimation method, used as an indicator of the relative density and species identif...

In vertebrates, the increase of their surface temperature is a consequence of vasodilation of blood vessels and increased peripheral blood flow, which may be due to physiological and/or various pathophysiological causes. Uniform distribution of the surface temperature of the bilaterally symmetrical parts of the body΄s anatomy identifies a healthy o...

Rodents can exhibit a range of specific defensive behaviours to prevent potential predator attacks and to develop mechanisms that may lead to the most appropriate response based on the stressful stimulus which they receive. The appearance of behavioural patterns (a) of abnormal behaviour in controlled conditions and (b) of absence of normal behavio...

The arrival time of corvids at their roosting sites presents fluctuations due to diverse environmental parameters. Knowledge of the arrival time, as well as the parameters affecting it, may contribute towards understanding the living conditions (e.g., food availability and its spatial distribution) that influence mortality and, by extension, the po...

In this study, we estimated, if changes in the surface temperature of Apodemus sylvaticus, during a stressful challenge in first capture occasions can sufficiently explain its recapture probability. For this purpose, A. sylvaticus individuals were handled and temporally released into a box, in order to reduce their stress. For each individual two t...

The behaviour after handling of Apodemus mystacinus, has not been studied yet in its natural habitat. To fathom its behavioral aspects, a delimited release field was selected in an undisturbed forest area for two trapping sessions. Every trapped mouse was ear-tagged, and its biometric characteristics were noted. Each individual was transferred into...

The paper presents the case of biodiversity misuse in urban and rural areas of Greece during the years of economic recession (2008–2019). The hypothesis addressed is that if fiscal crisis and economic recession lead to biodiversity misuse, then, even strong conservation strategies such as those allegedly implemented in developed countries may not b...

During the last decades, a large increase of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) population (WRP), in Lemnos island (Greece), has become a significant problem, creating imbalances for the biodiversity and ecosystem of the island and inflicting damages in grain crops. This problem affects the local economy, imposing the need for actions...

In urban ecosystems, infrared thermography can accurately estimate arboreal vegetation disturbances and assess their strength and stability loss. In this study, the stress of urban trees and their structural stability was evaluated using infrared thermography. For this purpose, thermal images from nine (9) tree species, along with their morphologic...

Coastal dunes dominated by Juniperus macrocarpa and J. phoenicea, have been characterized as a priority habitat, and are highly variable and sensitive ecosystems with high environmental heterogeneity and complex environmental stratification. We studied morphology, regeneration density, and composition and structure of juniper communities in the coa...

The Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is a SW Asian species with an isolated population on the Greek island of Lesvos. The species is considered Near Threatened in Greece and based on IPCC’s climate change scenario its population is predicted to suffer a 98% decline by the year 2100. However, there is a shortage of quantitative data concerning it...

Seasonal movements are considered a very important part of the annual cycle of migratory birds. Each spring, Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea towards their European breeding grounds, incurring a large energy consumption. Land areas for refueling and resting are crucial for the survival of birds ma...

Owl pellet analysis is considered one of the most efficient sampling approaches for assessing the diversity and composition of small mammalian communities, for it can provide information about species distributional changes and species-habitat associations with respect to land use differentiation. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed eval...

Lesvos is an island with a higher biodiversity than most other Mediterranean islands of a similar or larger size, including a large number of small and medium-sized mammal species. As in other parts of Greece, in recent years, new roads are being constructed on Lesvos, either by modification of the existing road network or along new routes. This pr...

The problem of siting common interest environmental facilities, in the era of ecological modernization, needs to be reformulated so that could support policies towards internalization of environmental externalities. The technical aspects of the siting problem, which ultimate goal is to propose economically efficient and environmentally suitable lan...

Lesvos is considered one of the most important islands in the Aegean Archipelago in terms of the biodiversity which it hosts. Concerning birds, on each migration period a large number of passerines use the island as a stopover during their movement from wintering to breeding areas and vice versa. The purpose of this research was to investigate the...

The study of a predator's food habits is important in order to understand and derive conclusions regarding its ecology and interaction with the ecosystem. Moreover, food availability is one of the most important factors which affect its habitat quality and foraging site. The aim of this research was to investigate the Imperial Eagle’s winter food h...

In priority conservation areas, one of the most important indicators for assessing the state of ecosystems, is avifauna. During the winter period, monitoring birds’ populations is necessary, as the decrease of the available food in combination with the degradation of their habitats, is considered a primary cause of their population decline. The pur...

Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function (BEF) research forms a synthetic ecological framework dealing with the intersection of multiple ecological disciplines. Decades of scientific discussion has led in formulating, identifying and modeling the role which biodiversity plays in determining ecosystem functioning. Early BEF research studies had focused on ex...

The Mediterranean Sea is considered a biodiversity hotspot as it supports 7% of all the existing marine species. In particular, the Greek seas located in the Eastern Basin are characterized by high biodiversity, hosting thousands of fish species, seabirds, marine mammals, marine reptiles and invertebrates. Moreover, the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs...

Urban trees are considered a significant ecological, economic and sociocultural asset of a city’s landscape, as they provide a wide range of ecosystem services, serving important ecological functions, and having positive effects on human well-being. Conversely, rising pollution levels, extreme weather events, drainage problems and root removal, con...

The austerity measures undertaken in Greece to face the 2008 European economic crisis, has led to inefficient implementation of mainstream conservation policies as well as an increase of environmental criminality regarding illegal logging. In addition, there have been difficulties in quantifying and mapping the environmental criminality due to the...

There is arguably a level of institutional growing concern with regard to environmental crime, expressed across the United Nations as well as other intergovernmental agreements and bodies. Despite this concern, practically the necessary steps have not been taken to address with it. In particular, the prosecution of illegal logging is hampered by th...

Tree health assessment requires the recognition of multiple different structural defects which probably exist. The most common technique for finding defects in tree trunks is through visual observation but it doesn’t always give accurate results concerning the extent of these defects in the inner tree layers. For this reason, the use of diagnostic...

The degradation and loss of ecosystems due to anthropogenic pressures, is considered to be the primary cause which threatens not only biodiversity, but ecosystem services deriving from it as well as. Ecological Restoration is considered to be the most significant management approach which causes or accelerates the recovery of a disturbed ecosystem....

When a country's attempt in economic growth experiences some kind of shock that could undermine and alter this process, the impacts on biodiversity are major. The shock usually derives from political failures that differentiate and lead to misappropriation of the biodiversity resources. Such a policy failure is an economic crisis, whose effects hav...

The importance of parks existing in urban environments is widely recognized, due to the range of ecosystem services which they provide. It is perceptible that these services are inextricably linked to the health of urban park ecosystems, mainly because a fully functional ecosystem is more resistant and resilient to environmental pressures. In gener...

Environmental noise in agglomerations burdens both, the quality of life and the quality of the overall urban environment. Numerous researches have concluded that the existence of urban green areas is beneficial regarding the mitigation of environmental pressures. Areas that promote natural sounds while maintaining low levels of anthropogenic noise...

The economic crisis that has affected Greece recently, has questioned the resilience of the biodiversity conservation policy system. The fiscal measures which have been obtained to address it, have led to the misuse of the biodiversity resources and have highlighted the failure of monitoring the effectiveness, the adequacy and the applicability of...