Kati, V. 2018. (ed.) Nature-Biodiversity. In: Greece: State of the Environment Report Summary /2018, pp 74-95. National Center for the Environment and Sustainable Development (NCESD), Athens, 126 p.

Abstract

We present here the summary of the full technical report (in Greek) concerning the state of nature and biodiversity in Greece in terms of 12 indicators. The state of nature and biodiversity generally appears to be sufficient compared to the rest of Europe, as the indicators used in this report have shown. The country has made notable progress in biodiversity and geodiversity conservation through the establishment of a network of protected areas. However, the Greek State should prioritize the implementation of joint actions and policies in the following sectors: (a) In the construction and development sector, natural and semi-natural land take should be diminished; (b) In transport, road network expansion should be minimized in order to halt landscape and natural ecosystem fragmentation; (c) For woodland and forests, special conservation actions should be applied aiming to maintain their area, to restrict pressures and threats within their boundaries and to establish woodland bird monitoring and conservation schemes. Further actions and policy measures should target at improving the conservation status of species and habitats of community interest, primarily through the restriction of pressures and threats on vulnerable biological groups, emphasizing marine ecosystems. Moreover, it is very important to bring into effect effective policies for minimizing the ecological debt and, in particular, fossil fuel use in the country. Finally, joint initiatives are needed in order to enact formal legal protection of geodiversity. The full Greek report is available in research gate (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23664.30723) and the full Greek and English summary on the State of the Environment is available at http://ekpaa.ypeka.gr/

Full text

1
National Center for the Environment
and Sustainable Development (NCESD)
Greece
State of the
Environment Report
Summary /2018

NATIONAL CENTER OF ENVIRONMENT
& SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (NCESD) 2018
National Center of Environment and Sustainable Development (NCESD)
Villa Kazouli, 241 Kissias Ave., Kissia,
GR-14561, Athens
Τ +30 210 8089271, 3, F +30 210 8084707, E info-ekpaa@prv.ypeka.gr
http://ekpaa.ypeka.gr/
ISBN: 978-960-99033-5-6

3
Authors per chapter
Introduction
National Center of Environment and Sustainable Development
Zoi Vrontisi/ President of the Management Board of NCESD
Climate Change/ Air Quality/ Environmental Noise
National Observatory of Athens (N.O.A.) – Institute for Environmental
Research and Sustainable Development (I.E.R.S.D)
Scientic Coordinator:
Mihalopoulos Nikolaos/ Professor, I.E.R.S.D. Director
Scientic team:
Dr. Assimakopoulos Vasiliki/ Senior Researcher
Dr. Gerasopoulos Evangelos/ Research Director
Dr. Giannakopoulos Christos/ Research Director
Dr. Grivas Georgios/ Research Associate
Dr. Kotronarou Anastasia/ Research Director
Water Management
Special Secretariat for Water, Ministry of Environment and Energy
Nature - Biodiversity
University of Ioannina
Scientic Coordinator:
Dr. Vassiliki Kati/ Associate Professor, Department of Biological
Application and Technology, University of Ioannina
Scientic team:
Tzortzakaki Olga, Dr. Hadjicharalambous Helena,
Chrysopolitou Vasiliki, Hatziiordanou Lena, Portolou Danae
Dr. Fassoulas Charalampos, Dr. Iliopoulos George
Dr. Papaioannou Haritakis
Waste Management
TERRA NOVA Ltd., ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY
Scientic Coordinator:
Andreas Sotiropoulos/ Environmental Scientist, MSc.
Scientic Team:
Ioannis Spanos/ Chemical Engineer, MSc.
George Konstantinopoulos/ Attorney at the Supreme Court of Athens, MSc.
Dr. Argiro Lagoudi/ Chemist
Stavroula Barafaka/ Chemical Engineer, MSc.
Horizontal Environmental Issues
National Center of Environment and Sustainable Development
Petros Varelidis/ Dr. Chemical Engineer, Acting Director of NCESD
Conclusions
National Center of Environment and Sustainable Development
Petros Varelidis/ Dr. Chemical Engineer, Acting Director of NCESD
Zoi Vrontisi/ Electrical Engineer, MSc. Environmental Science and Technology,
President of the Management Board of NCESD
We thank all thematic units of the Ministry of Environment and Energy
that worked with NCESD for the completion of the report as well as Mr. Andrea
Bonetti for providing photographic material.
General Coordination, advice and comment on the report
Zoi Vrontisi/ Electrical Engineer, MSc. Environmental Science and Technology,
President of the Management Board of NCESD
Petros Varelidis/ Dr. Chemical Engineer, Acting Director of NCESD
Project team NCESD
Zoi Vrontisi/ Electrical Engineer, MSc. Environmental Science and Technology,
President of the Management Board of NCESD
Petros Varelidis/ Dr. Chemical Engineer, Acting Director of NCESD
Maria Eleheriou, Geologist, MSc. Env. Geotechnology,
MSc Env. Design of Infrastructure Works
Edition
National Center of Environment and Sustainable Development
(NCESD) July 2018
http://ekpaa.ypeka.gr/index.php/soer-2018
Design
Souldesign Studio

Chapter 4
Water
Management
Introduction
Climate Change Chapter 1
Environmental Noise Chapter 3
Air Quality Chapter 2
44
6
8
36
20

5
Chapter 5
Nature - Biodiversity
Chapter 6
Waste Management
Conclusions
Chapter 7
Horizontal
Environmental Issues
74
96
122
114

75
5
Nature -
Biodiversity

Biodiversity conservation in Greece
Greece is a Mediterranean country of
exceptional biological wealth. It is a
mountainous country (66%) with a
pronounced island character (9,800
islands, 18,400 km shoreline). The
geographical position of the country, its
complex topography, its geological and
soil diversity, its landscape heterogeneity,
and the impressive co-existence of several
micro-climatic conditions explain the high
biodiversity value of the country and its
high degree of endemism, in the context
of its geological and evolutionary history.

Greece still includes ecosystems of high naturalness as well
as cultural landscapes that in combination host an outstanding
biological diversity. For instance, Greek ora consists of 5,752
species (6,600 taxa) with 22% of them being endemic (1,278
species), whilst 503 algae and 750 bryophyte taxa have been
recorded. Greek fauna is estimated to include 50,000 species,
including over 24,731 invertebrate species and 1,273 vertebrate
species (630 sh, 22 amphibian, 64 reptile, 442 bird and 115
mammal species).
Acknowledging the value of Greek nature and the need for
its eective conservation, the Greek State has gradually built
a strong institutional frame for environmental protection and
nature conservation, adopting several International Conventions
(since 1974) and European Directives (since 1983), and enrich-
ing them with a series of national environmental protection
laws (since 1950). The current legal frame covers a great range
of environmental issues, from genetic resources conservation to
climate change, but a great part of it concerns the establishment
and legal protection of protected areas in the country. The two
most important recent legislative acts are the law on biodiver-
sity conservation (2011), and the national biodiversity strategy
2014-2019 and the relevant action plan (2014).
We present here the progress of the country in the eld of
nature and biodiversity conservation, in terms of a set of 12
indicators. These indicators evaluate the national progress to-
wards achieving 4 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations (SDGs), 8 out of the 20
Aichi targets, 4 out of the 6 targets of the European Biodiversity
Strategy (EU), and 6 out of the 13 goals of the National Biodi-
versity Strategy (covering 16 specic targets). The indicators are
presented according to the DPSIR system: Drivers, Pressures (3
indicators), State (4 indicators), Impac., Response (3 indicators).
This brieng refers to the national report of the National Center
of Environment and Sustainable Development on the state of
nature and biodiversity.
77

Graph 5.1.
Common, Farmland and Forest Bird Indicators in Greece for the period 2007-2016 (Source: HOS 2017)
Indicators
1. Abundance and distribution of selected species – SEBI 01
Indicator: The indicator presents the population status of
common, farmland, and forest bird species (farmland and forest
birds included in common birds) in Greece.
Period: 2007-2016
Source: Since 2007 the three indicators are delivered annually by the
Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) and are communicated to the
Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS).
Evaluation: The common bird indicator in Greece has decreased
(19.81% for the period 2007-2016), as also observed in the rest of
Europe (14,23% for the period 1980-2015). Specically, when
applying the indicators, farmland bird populations show a slight decrease
(2,6%), whereas those of forest birds show a steep decline (38.15% -
Graph 5.1.). Although the national indicators should not be considered as
reliable as the European indicators, due to the shorter reference period,
the pattern observed in Greece generally contradicts the one observed in
the rest of Europe, where the farmland bird indicator shows a steep de-
cline and the forest bird indicator appears to be stable over the last years.
Policy output: Conservation measures should be adopted to improve the
status of forest habitats in Greece, for the benet of forest birds. The Hel-
lenic Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (HCBM) should be supported by
the Greek government on permanent basis, in order to conclude to safer
evaluations of the long-term trend of the indicator.
Forest Species (19) Common Species (82) Farmland Species (38)
20
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
0
40
60
80
100
120
140
Policy Target
01
1, 2, 3, 6
EU
2.1, 2.2
GR
SEBI
SDG 2, 15
Aichi 5, 7

79
Favourable
(FV)
Greece Europe
2. Species of European interest – SEBI 03
Indicator: The indicator presents the changes and trends in
the species of European interest that occur in Greece.
It consists of two sub-indicators: a) the conservation status and
trends of species listed in Annexes II, IV and V of the Habitats
Directive (MED and MMED) and b) the population trend (and
range for breeding species) of wild birds, as listed in the Birds
Directive.
Period: 2007-2014
Source: The indicator is based on data collected under the reporting ob-
ligations for the implementation of the two Nature Directives (Article 17
of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive).
Evaluation: Greece plays an important role in the conservation of Eu-
rope’s nature, as it hosts 301 species of European interest. In the Medi-
terranean biogeographical region (MED), 33% of the species are assessed
to be in a Favourable conservation status (FV) and only 11% in Unfa-
vourable-Bad (U2). The situation in the Μarine Mediterranean biogeo-
graphical region (MMED) is not encouraging, as none of the 20 species
with Μarine distribution is assessed to be in a Favourable conservation
status (FV). Overall, species in Greece appear to be in a better conserva-
tion status than species in Europe, as 33% of the species in the country
are in Favourable conservation status (FV), compared to 23% of species
in Europe (Graph 5.2.). For the period 2007-2014, a remarkable improve-
ment of knowledge is observed, as the percentage of species of European
interest in an Unknown conservation status (XX) has decreased signi-
cantly, and mainly in the Mediterranean biogeographical region (MED).
As far as bird species are concerned, 292 species of European interest
are distributed in Greece (253 of which breed in our country). Short-term
population trends (2001-2012) are recorded as stable (=) for 66% of birds
breeding and/or wintering in our country, while long-term population
trends (1980-2012) are recorded almost equally as stable (=) (36%) and
unknown (x) (33%).
Policy output: Strengthening research in order to further improve the
knowledge base on species of European interest and establishment of a
permanent monitoring system/program for the assessment of species’
conservation status and the fulllment of the national obligations re-
garding EU Habitats and Birds Directives, should be priority tasks for the
Greek competent authorities.
Graph 5.2.
Percentage (%) of species in dierent conser-
vation status classes, in Greece and the rest
of Europe, for the period 2007-2012 (2007-
2014 for Greece) (Source: ΕΕΑ 2015)
Unfavourable
- Inadequate (U1)
Unfavourable -
Bad (U2)
Unknown (XX)
20
25
30
35
40
45
15
10
5
0
Policy Target
03
1, 3, 6
EU
2.1, 2.2
GR
SEBI
SDG 14, 15
Aichi 5, 6, 7, 11, 12

3. Habitats of European interest – SEBI 05
Indicator: The indicator presents the changes and trends in
the conservation status of natural habitats of European interest
(i.e. habitat types included in Annex I to the Habitats Directive)
that occur in Greece.
Period: 2007-2014
Source: The indicator is based on data collected under the monitoring
obligation (Article 11) and submitted to the EC under the reporting obli-
gation (Article 17) for the implementation of the Habitats Directive.
Evaluation: Greece plays an important role in the conservation of
Europe’s nature, as it hosts 88 habitat types of European interest (80
habitats in the Mediterranean biogeographical region-MED and eight
habitats in the marine Mediterranean region-MMED). The situation in
the Mediterranean biogeographical region (MED) appears to be much
better than in the marine Mediterranean region (MMED), with 66% and
12% of habitat types in Favourable conservation status (FV), respective-
ly. Most habitat types in an Unfavourable conservation status (U1 and
U2) show a stable trend (=). Overall, habitat types in Greece (MED and
MMED) appear to be in a much better conservation status than the habi-
tat types in Europe, as 61% of the habitats in the country are assessed to
be in a Favourable conservation status (FV), compared to 16% of habitats
in Europe, and only a small percentage (3% compared to 30% in Europe)
are assessed as in an Unfavourable-Bad conservation status (U2) (Graph
5.3.). In what regards the contribution of the Habitats Directive to the
improvement of the conservation status of habitats of European inter-
est in Greece, no safe conclusion can be drawn, as the observed changes
for the period 2001-2014 are mainly attributed to the improvement of
knowledge.
Policy output: Strengthening research in order to further improve the
knowledge base on habitats of European interest and establishment of a
permanent monitoring system/program for the assessment of the habi-
tats; conservation status and the fulllment of the national obligations
regarding EU Habitats Directive, should be priority tasks for the Greek
competent authorities.
Graph 5.3.
Percentage (%) of habitat types in dierent conservation status classes, in Greece and the rest of
Europe, for the period 2007-2012 (2007-2014 for Greece) (Source: ΕΕΑ 2017)
Favourable (FV) Unfavourable - Inadequate (U1) Unfavourable - Bad (U2) Unknown (XX)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Greece
Europe
Policy Target
05
1, 3, 6
EU
2.1, 2.2
GR
SEBI
SDG 14, 15
Aichi 5, 6, 7, 11, 15

81
4. Ecosystem coverage – SEBI 04
Indicator: The indicator shows the proportional (%) and absolute (ha)
change in extent and turnover of Corine land cover categories aggregated
to the main SEBI ecosystem classes.
Period 2006-2012
Source: EEA (2017) Corine Land Cover Change (LCC) 2006-2012, V.
18.5. http://land.copernicus.eu/paneuropean/ corine-land-cover/lcc-2006-
2012/; EEA (2015) Ecosystem coverage. https://www.eea.europa.eu/
data-andmaps/ indicators/ecosystem-coverage-1/assessment-1; ELSTAT
(2017) Greece in numbers. April – June 2017. http://www.statistics.gr/
documents/20181/1515741/GreeceInFigures_2017Q2_GR.pdf/c48fd272-
754a-486d-a463-99c6ab2cb681.
Evaluation:
During the period 2006-2012, 1,08% of the Greek terrestrial area un-
derwent ecosystem cover changes. The most important changes are the
decrease in woodland and forest cover, as well as the increase in tran-
sitional woodland and sparsely vegetated land (Graph 5.4.). Specically,
woodland and forest was mainly converted to transitional woodland
(57.7%) and sparsely vegetated land (33.4%). Cropland also decreased in
area, being principally converted to urban areas. Urban areas, rivers and
lakes showed a slight increase, while heathland and shrub, agricultural
mosaics and grasslands showed a slight decrease.
Policy Output: Natural ecosystems should be safeguarded against habi-
tat loss, degradation and fragmentation.
Graph 5.4.
Ecosystem class changes (ha) recorded in Greece during 2006-2012 and
% change in comparison to 2006 (Source: EEA 2015)
Urban
(13522 ha)
Marine
(-80 ha)
Transitional wood-
land (24975 ha)
Woodland and
forest (-38166 ha)
Heathland and
shrub (-18575 ha)
Coastal
(-125 ha)
Sparsely vegetaded
land (26462 ha)
Cropland
(-5287 ha)
Rivers and lakes
(4958 ha)
Agricultural mosaics
(-3934 ha)
Inland Wetlands
(-207 ha)
Grassland
(-3544 ha)
Policy Target
04
2
EU
2.1
GR
SEBI
SDG 15
Aichi 5, 7, 15
3.30%
-0.14%
-0.30%
-0.17%
-0.77%
-0.83%
-0.39%
-0.19%
2.20%
0.00%
9.80%
3.59%
-2.00% 0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00%

5. Pressures and threats to species of European interest – SEBI 03
Indicator: The indicator shows the number of pressures and
threats of low, medium and high intensity to species of European
interest in the Mediterranean (MED) and Marine Mediterranean
biogeographical region (MMED).
Period: 2007-2014
Source: ΕΕΑ (2015) National submission of Article 17 of Habitats Di-
rective (92/43/EU) reporting for the period 2007–2012 (actual period is
2007-2014). Eionet - Central Data Repository. http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/
gr/eu/art17.
Evaluation: Overall, 193 dierent types of pressures and threats to
species of European interest were recorded in Greece. Most threats re-
corded both in the Mediterranean (MED) and the Marine Mediterranean
(MMED) biogeographical regions were of low intensity. Greece should
focus on the conservation of freshwater icthyofauna (MED) and marine
mammals (MMED), as these groups face the highest number of threats
(Graph 5.5.). Specically, the country should undertake coordinated ac-
tions against natural system modications, agriculture, as well as against
urbanisation, residential and commercial development, which were, in
descending order, the most common threats to the species of Community
interest in terrestrial areas. Management actions in the MMED region
should also focus on the reduction in biological resource use. In addition,
a large number of pressures was recorded for bird species (128), most of
which were of medium intensity. Natural system modications were the
most severe pressure of high intensity for birds, followed by agriculture.
Policy Output: Conservation measures should be adopted to reduce
threats to species of European interest, especially freshwater icthyofauna,
marine mammals and birds.
Policy Target
03
1
EU
2.1
GR
SEBI
SDG 14, 15
Aichi 5, 6, 7

83
Graph 5.5a.
Number of species per threat category recorded in the Mediterranean
biogeographical region (MED) in Greece (2007-2014) (Source: EEA 2015)
Fish
Non-vascular plants Vascular plants
Amphibians
Invertebrates
Reptiles
Molluscs
Mammals
Others
J - Natural System modications
A - Agriculture
E - Urbanisation, residental and commercial development
F - Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
H - Pollution
D - Transportation and service corridors
G - Human intrusions and disturbances
L - Geological events, natural catastrophes
C - Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
B - Sylviculture, forestry
I - Invasive, other problematic species and genes
K - Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
M - Climate change
U - Unknown threat or pressure
X - No threats or pressures
XO - Threats and pressures from outside the Member State
XE - Threats and pressures from outside the EU territory
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
F - Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
H - Pollution
D - Transportation and service corridors
G - Human intrusions and disturbances
M - Climate change
J - Natural System modications
X - No threats or pressures
XO - Threats and pressures from outside the Member State
XE - Threats and pressures from outside the EU territory
E - Urbanisation, residental and commercial development
K - Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
L - Geological events, natural catastrophes
C - Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
I - Invasive, other problematic species and genes
A - Agriculture
B - Sylviculture, forestry
U -Unknown threat of pressure
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Invertebrates Molluscs Others Fish
Reptiles Mammals
Graph 5.5b.
Number of species per threat category recorded in the Marine Mediterranean
biogeographical region (MMED) in Greece (2007-2014) (Source: EEA 2015)

Graph 5.6a.
Number of terrestrial habitats of European interest
per threat category recorded in Greece (2007-2014) (Source: EEA 2015)
A - Agriculture
J - Natural System modications
D -Transportation and service corridors
Ε - Urbanisation, residental and commercial development
G - Human intrusions and disturbances
K - Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
B - Sylviculture, forestry
I -Invasive, other problematic species and genes
Η - Pollution
F - Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
M - Climate change
L - Geological events, natural catastrophes
C - Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
X - No threats or pressures
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Rocky habitats and
caves
Forests Temperate heath and
scrub
Sclerophyllous
scrub (Matorral)
Freshwater
habitats
Coastal sand
dunes and inland
dunes
Coastal and halophytic
habitats
Natural and seminatu-
ral grass formations
6. Pressures and threats to habitats of European interest – SEBI 05
Indicator: The indicator provides an assessment of pressures and threats
of low, medium and high intensity to habitats of European interest in the
Mediterranean (MED) and Marine Mediterranean biogeographical region
(MMED)
Period: 2007-2014
Source: ΕΕΑ (2015) National submission of Article 17 of Habitats Di-
rective (92/43/EU) reporting for the period 2007 – 2012 (actual period is
2007-2014). Eionet - Central Data Repository. http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/
gr/eu/art17.
Evaluation: 83 types of pressures and threats were recorded to the
habitats of European interest in Greece. Most pressures and threats to
the terrestrial habitats were of low intensity, whereas those to the marine
habitats were of medium intensity, which explains the better conser-
vation status of the former in relation to the latter. Most threats to the
terrestrial habitats are induced by agriculture, whereas marine habitats
are mostly aected by biological resource use and pollution (Graph 5.6.).
Policy output: As a result, Greece should primarily focus on the elimi-
nation of pressures and threats of high intensity, i.e. in the reduction of
natural system modications and climate change, which appear more
oen compared to the European average. Furthermore, Greece should
target at the elimination of pressures and threats recorded in the
forest ecosystems, which suer the highest number of pressures and
threats.
Policy Target
05
1, 2
EU
2
GR
SEBI
SDG 15
Aichi 5, 6, 7, 15

85
Graph 5.6b.
Number of marine habitats of European interest
per threat category recorded in Greece (2007-2014) (Source: EEA 2015)
H - Pollution
F -Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
M - Climate change
Ε - Urbanisation, residental and commercial development
G - Human intrunsions and disturbances
J - Natural System modications
D - Transportation and service corridors
C - Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
Α - Agriculture
Χ - No threats or pressures
Α - Unknown threat or pressure
Ι - Invasive, other problematic species and genes
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Rocky habitats and caves
Coastal and
halophtyic habitats
85

7. Loss of natural and semi-natural ecosystems – SEBI 04
Indicator: The indicator presents the area of natural and semi-natural
areas that has been converted to articial land. It serves the European
aim of no net land take by 2050 according to the Resource Eciency
Roadmap.
Period: 2006-2012
Source: EEA (2017) Land take indicator (CSI 014/LSI 001). http://www.
eea.europa.eu/data-and maps/indicators/land-take-2/assessment-1.
Evaluation: Natural and semi-natural ecosystem cover in Greece is
higher than the European average. However, the mean annual land take
by articial surfaces is among the highest in Europe (0.701%), with
Greece being in the fourth position in the European Union. The new
articial surfaces in Greece were primarily created by the modication
of arable land and cropland, mixed agricultural ecosystems, grasslands,
heathlands and areas with sclerophylous vegetation (Graph 5.7.). Land
take was caused by the expansion of construction sites, mines, quarries,
dump sites, industrial, commercial and urban areas, as well as transport
networks. According to the European Statistical Service (EUROSTAT),
Greece also showed the highest rate of land take in Europe during the
period 2012-2015.
Policy output: There is an urgent need for suitable urban planning in
the country, aiming at reducing the articial surface cover and land take
rate at national level.
Graph 5.7.
Conversion (%) of natural and semi-natural areas to articial
land in Greece and Europe (28) for the period 2006-2012 (Source: EEA 2017)
Arable Land &
Permanent
Crops
Pastures &
Mixed
agricultural
areas
Forests and
transitional
woodland
Natural
grassland
heathland
sclerophyllus
vegetation
Open space
with little or
no vegeta-
tion
Wetlands Water bodies
Greece EU(28)
% land take
Land cover categories
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Policy Target
04
2
EU
2,1
GR
SEBI
SDG 15
Aichi 5

87
8. Fragmentation of natural and semi-natural areas – SEBI 13
Indicator: The number and surface of roadless areas is a new,
clear and measurable indicator for the evaluation of landscape
fragmentation. Roadless areas are dened as those areas being
at least 1 km away from the nearest road.
Περίοδος: 2013
Source: Ibisch P.L. et al. (2016) A global map of roadless areas
and their conservation status. Science 354: 1423-1427.
http://www.roadless.online/data/
Evaluation: The road network in Greece is quite extensive, leading to
severe problems of landscape fragmentation. Only 24% of the Greek ter-
restrial surface was found to be at a distance higher than 1 km from the
closest road, which was much lower than the European and global aver-
age proportion recorded in 2013 (42% and 80% respectively). Moreover,
most roadless areas in Greece (44%) cover only up to 1 km2, few areas
(142) are larger than 50 km2 and even fewer (58) are larger than 100 km2
(Graph 5.8.).
Policy output: The mapping and conservation of large roadless areas (>
50 km2) should be a national priority, as they are important for the con-
nectivity of natural ecosystems and for maintaining ecosystem services.
An updated map of roadless areas on a national level is urgently needed,
as a guideline for the adoption and implementation of national spatial
policies.
Policy Target
Graph 5.8.
Area (km2) and number of roadless areas (areas at least 1 km away from the nearest road)
in Greece in 2013 across their dierent size categories (Source: Ibisch et al. 2016)
Area of
roadless areas
Area (km2)
Roadless areas categories (km2)
Number of
roadless areas
35,000 2.000
1.500
1.000
500
0
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
13
2
EU
2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
GR
SEBI
SDG 15
Aichi 3, 5, 11, 14, 15
> 1 > 100> 50> 10> 5

9.Ecological footprint of Greece – SEBI 23
Indicator: Ecological Footprint measures the ecological assets
that the Greek population requires to produce the natural
resources it consumes, and to absorb its waste (including carbon
emissions). Biocapacity represents the productivity of the national
ecological assets (cropland, grazing land, forest land, shing
grounds and built-up land), which can also absorb much of the
waste generated. Both concepts are expressed in global hectares,
as a globally standardized unit, comparable with world average
productivity.
Period: 1961-2013
Source: Global Footprint Network (2017) National Footprint Accounts.
Available at: http://data.footprintnetwork.org.
Evaluation: Consumption of environmental resources in Greece ex-
ceeds the national production to such an extent that an area equal to
2.47 times the surface of the earth would be needed in order to satisfy
consumer needs. In 2013, the ecological debt of Greece was - 2.71 Gha
per person, which was more than double the global average, with carbon
use accounting for 91% of the total debt. The country has been showing a
constant ecological debt in the last 52 years, with a long-term increasing
trend (Graph 5.9.). Nevertheless, it was among the lowest in Europe (21st
position) in 2013, since the situation has been recently improved (start-
ing in 2007), mainly due to the reduction in fossil fuel use and general
consumption, deriving from the economic crisis. A great reduction in
the ecological footprint (35%) and a respective decreasing trend in the
footprint of carbon, agriculture, livestock farming, forestry and sheries,
were recorded.
Policy Output: Political initiatives in Greece should aim at the reduc-
tion of the ecological footprint of carbon, as well as of the ecological
debt, without degrading the quality of life.
Policy Target
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2,0
1.0
0.0
1961 1965 1969 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Graph 5.9a.
Ecological footprint and biocapacity in Greece from 1961 to 2013
(Source: Global Footprint Network 2017)
Ecological
Footprint
Biocapacity
Global hecrates per person
23
6
EU
5.3, 5.7, 7.4
GR
SEBI
SDG 12
Aichi 4

2004
000
-0.10
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Grazing Land
Forests
Agriculture
Fishing
Grounds
Graph 5.9b.
Carbon footprint and ecological decit (ecological footprint – minus biocapacity)
of the dierent sectors for the period 2004-2013 in Greece (Source: Global Footprint Network 2017)
Global hecrates per person
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
Carbon
Global hecrates per person
89

10. Nationally designated protected areas - SEBI 07
Indicator: The indicator presents the change over time in the total
coverage of nationally designated protected areas (areas protected
by national law, as a tool to conserve biodiversity) in Greece.
Period: 1938-2016
Source: National submission of March 2017 (Common Database on Des-
ignated Areas – CDDA), in the Central Data Repository (CDR), European
Environment Agency (EEA).
Evaluation: The total surface area of the nationally protected areas in
Greece has increased exponentially over time, from year 1938 to date.
In 2016, the total surface area (terrestrial and marine) of the nationally
designated protected areas amounted to 26158 km2 (Graph 5.10.). The
total area of these protected areas currently covers about 17.7% of the
country’s terrestrial territory, compared to 21% in Europe. The contribu-
tion of Greece to the European system of national protected areas corre-
sponds to about 1.8% of the total surface area (terrestrial and marine) of
the nationally designated protected areas at the European level (2016).
The Law 3937/2011 for the conservation of biodiversity has organized
more eciently the national system of protected areas, including also the
Natura 2000 network, in line with the Community framework.
Policy output: Political and administrative initiatives in Greece
should aim to complete the designation of protected areas and to set land
use regulations according to Law 3937/2011.
Policy Target
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
1938
1962
1971
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2012
2014
2018
Graph 5.10
Trends in the coverage of the nationally designated protected areas (km2) in Greece, for the
period 1938-2016 (refers to the total surface area, terrestrial and marine, excluding overlapping)
(Source: ΕΕΑ 2017)
Total surface area (km2)
07
2, 6
EU
3.1-3.2
GR
SEBI
SDG 14, 15
Aichi 5, 7, 11

91
Policy Target
Graph 5.11a.
Trends in spatial coverage of the Natura 2000 network in Greece (total surface area,
terrestrial and marine, excluding overlapping, in km2), for the period 1995-2016 (Source: EEA 2012)
11. Sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives
– SEBI 08
Indicator: The indicator shows the trends over time in spatial
coverage of sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds
Directives (Natura 2000 network), in Greece.
Period: 1995-2016
Source: National submission of July 2015 on the implementation of Art.
17 of the Habitats Directive, in the Central Data Repository (CDR),
European Environment Agency (EEA).
Evaluation: The Natura 2000 network in Greece comprises 419 terrestri-
al and marine areas, with a total area of 42946 km2. Specically, the net-
work includes 241 Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), 239 of which
have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), under the
Habitats Directive and 202 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the
Birds Directive (Graph 5.11a.). The Natura 2000 network covers 27.1% of
the country’s surface area, compared to 18.1% in Europe (Graph 5.11b.).
This fact renders Greece’s contribution to the network signicant and
our country is placed 7th among the 28 member states, while the Natura
2000 network in Greece accounts for 3.7% of the total European Natura
2000 network.
Policy output: Conservation objectives and measures should be adopt-
ed and implemented in order to improve the status of habitat types and
species of European interest, distributed within the Natura 2000 network
in Greece, to fulll the obligations of the Habitats and Birds Directive.
SCI/SAC SPA
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
10,000
5,000
0
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
08
2, 6
EU
3.1-3.3
GR
SEBI
SDG 14, 15
Aichi 5, 6, 7, 11

Graph 5.11b.
Percentage (%) of the Natura 2000 network’s spatial coverage (terrestrial),
in Greece and Europe (EU28) (Source: EC 2016)
0%
Greece EU28
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
12. Geodiversity conservation
Indicator: The indicator presents the total area (ha) of the country
designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks, the main aim of which is to
promote geodiversity conservation. Geoparks include a number of
geosites, i.e. sites with high geological, geomorphological, ecological
and cultural value.
Period: 2000-2016
Source: Hellenic Geopark Forum (2017). http://www.hellenicgeoparks.gr/.
Evaluation: To date, ve Greek geoparks have been designated as UNES-
CO Global Geoparks, covering an area of 529435 ha in total (Graph 5.12.).
Overall, they contain 330 geosites, i.e. sites with particular geomorpho-
logical, geological, tectonic and palaeontological formations, geocultural
heritage and remarkable natural beauty. A notable proportion of the
Greek Geoparks (44.43%) includes areas that have also been designated
as Natura 2000 sites, highlighting the composite geological,
ecological and cultural value of these areas.
Policy output: The enactment of legislation for the formal protection
of geosites in Greece is needed to ensure geodiversity conservation.
Policy Target
-
3
EU
6.3
GR
SEBI
SDG 15
Aichi 7

93
Graph 5.12.
The total area of the UNESCO Global Geoparks in Greece
has increased during 2000-2016
Overview
In conclusion, the state of nature and biodiversity in Greece generally appears to be sucient com-
pared to the rest of Europe, as the indicators used in this report have shown. The country has made notable
progress in biodiversity and geodiversity conservation through the establishment of a network of protected
areas. However, the Greek State should prioritize the implementation of joint actions and policies in the
following sectors: (a) In the construction and development sector, natural and semi-natural land take should
be diminished; (b) In transport, road network expansion should be minimized in order to halt landscape
and natural ecosystem fragmentation; (c) For woodland and forests, special conservation actions should be
applied aiming to maintain their area, to restrict pressures and threats within their boundaries and to estab-
lish woodland bird monitoring and conservation schemes. Further actions and policy measures should tar-
get at improving the conservation status of species and habitats of community interest, primarily through
the restriction of pressures and threats on vulnerable biological groups, emphasizing marine ecosystems.
Moreover, it is very important to bring into eect eective policies for minimizing the ecological debt and,
in particular, fossil fuel use in the country. Finally, joint initiatives are needed in order to enact formal legal
protection of geodiversity. Table 5.1 shows a synopsis of the general state of the natural environment in
Greece.
100,000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
Area (ha)
Year
93

Table 5.1.
Synopsis of the state of nature and biodiversity in Greece in terms of 12 indicators, national trends, and
comparison with the state in the European Union (EU)
Type Indicator Description Period Trend EUΝ
Abundance and
distribution of
selected species
– SEBI 01
Population trend of
common birds
Species of Directive
92/43/EEC with
Favourable status
Habitats of Directive
92/43/EEC with Favour-
able status
Species of Directive
92/43/EEC with Unfa-
vourable - Inadequate
status
Habitats of Directive
92/43/EEC with Unfa-
vourable - Inadequate
status
Habitats of Directive
92/43/EEC with Unfa-
vourable - Bad status
Knowledge improvement:
Habitats with Unknown
status
Annual rate of land use
change
Species of Directive
92/43/EEC with Unfa-
vourable - Bad status
Knowledge improvement:
species with Unknown
status
Short-term population
trend of birds of Directive
2009/147/EC
Population trend of
farmland birds
Population trend of
forest birds
Species of European
interest
– SEBI 03
Habitats of European
interest
– SEBI 05
Ecosystem cover
– SEBI 04
1
2
3
4
State
StateStateState
2007-2016
2001-2006 &
2007-2014
2001-2006 &
2007-2014
2001-2004
2000-2006 &
2006-2012
?
?

95
Type Indicator Description Period Trend EUΝ
Pressures and threats
on species of
European interest
– SEBI 03
-
-
Expansion rate of
articial surfaces
Percentage of
roadless areas
Trend of ecological
debt
Terrestrial areas (%)
designated as national
protected areas
Average cover of
terrestrial area
Number and area of
UNESCO Global
Geoparks
Pressures and threats
on habitats of
European interest
– SEBI 05
Natural and
semi-natural land take
– SEBI 04
Fragmentation of
natural and semi-natural
ecosystems and areas
– SEBI 13
Ecological
footprint of Greece
– SEBI 23
Nationally designated
protected areas
– SEBI 07
Sites designated under
the EU Habitats
and Birds Directives
– SEBI 08
Geodiversity
conservation
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
PressuresPressuresPressuresPressuresPressures
ActionsActionsAcions
2007-2014
2007-2014
2006-2012 &
2015
2013
1961-2013
1938-2016
1995-2016
2000-2016
2007-2013
?
?
?
X
X
X
X
Trends:
State in Greece in
relation to the
European Union:
Decreasing Increasing
Good Bad Similar Comparison not possible
Stable questionable trend
Unknown state or trend