Several interesting conclusions can be drawn from the statistics of the results risen during the course of this research. The distribution of proposed “Natura 2000” sites in the different administrative regions of Greece is shown in Fig. A.1.
Fig. A.1 Distribution of proposed Natura 2000 sites in the administrative regions of Greece,
divided according to NUTS nomenclature.
Kentriki Makedonia hosts the highest number of sites (40), accounting for 13.5% of all sites, with Anatoliki Makedonia-Thraki and Kriti island being second and third in rank (36 and 34 sites respectively). Insular sites (Ionia nisia, Voreio and Notio Aigaio and Kriti) account for 30% of the sites selected, reflecting the high number of Hellenic islands. The sites studied in this project cover a surface of 3,000,000 ha. The terrestrial part of their surface (2,350,000 ha) corresponds approximately to 18% of the total land area of Hellas. The area covered by the proposed sites in relation to the total area of thirteen different administrative regions of Hellas, is shown in Fig. A.2.
Fig. A.2 Area of the proposed sites in the different administrative regions of Hellas.
The percentage cover of the sites situated in the region of Attiki is comparatively one of the smallest (12%), due to the presence of industrialized and highly urbanised areas in the region. Furthermore, the development of intensive tourist activities has resulted in the degradation of the natural environment and therefore to the reduction of the sites cover. The smallest value (7.6%) is attributed to the area of Ionia nisia mainly due to the presence of sites that incorporate marine areas within their boundaries, which are not taken into account (e.g. Laganas bay, inner archipelagos of Ionian islands). In Kriti, the highest cover of investigated sites (31%) is encountered. This is not surprising since large areas of undisturbed natural environment, coupled with a substantial degree of endemism and intensified by the geographical position of the island are favourable factors. It is noteworthy, that although Kentriki Makedonia and Anatoliki Makedonia-Thraki, include the highest number of sites, their total area reaches 21.6% and 15.7% respectively, whereas Kriti comes first in the area of sites, although third in rank in sites number.
Regarding site magnitude, small sites (0-1000 ha) make up around 15% of all sites, whereas almost one third of the sites are medium-sized (1001-5000 ha) (Fig. A.3).
Fig. A.3 Number of sites in
It must be noted that site boundaries do not coincide with isolated habitat types and this is mainly the reason for the enlargement of site surfaces. Isolated habitat types were therefore grouped together and formed larger sites. In addition, although the inclusion of isolated (and often uninhabited) villages within site boundaries, mainly in remote mountainous areas, was questioned several times, it was decided that they consist an inseparable part of the landscape and that they should be part of the sites.
Regarding the altitudinal range of sites, not many conclusions can be drawn due to the fact that within one site there may be a significant difference between its maximum and minimum altitude. It can be said though, that generally the majority of sites are mountainous (Fig. A.4) which reflects the mountainous character of the country. On the other hand, almost one third of the sites have a maximum altitude of 300 m, mainly consisting of valleys, coasts, marine areas, etc.
Fig. A.4Number of sites in Designation types at regional, national and international level.
