The Greek environment severely damaged by summer fires, says WWF Greece
A report on the environmental impacts from the devastating wildfires that raged through Greece this summer was published today by the global conservation organization WWF. The report, prepared in coordination with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, gives an overview of the severe damages caused by the fires to the environment of the Peloponese peninsula in Southern Greece.
According to WWF Greece, the wildfires scorched a total of 177,265 hectares in the Peloponese, 55% (97,518 ha) of which consisted of forests and areas of natural vegetation, 41% (78104 ha) of
agricultural land and 1% of infrastructure (settlements, roads etc.) More than 30,000 ha of burnt land were located within Natura 2000 sites. The following protected areas were affected:
Lake Kaiafas and the surrounding forest: 758 ha burnt (22,5% of the Natura site)
Olympia: 67 ha burnt (21,3% of the Natura site)
Foloi plateau: 2,994 ha burnt (30,7% of the Natura site)
Mt Taygetos: 8,654 ha burnt (16,3% of the Natura site)
Mt Parnonas: 4,506 ha burnt (8,1% of the Natura site)
Mt Barbas, Mt Klokos, Selinounta gorge: 3,048 ha burnt (50,4% of the Natura site)
Vouraikos gorge: 636 ha burnt (29,2% of the Natura site)
As regards the local fauna, the fires caused severe degradation of the Golden jackal (Canis aureus) habitats and negatively affected the populations of 4 out of 5 endemic lizards of Mt Taygetos and
Parnonas, as well as those of turtles, hedgehogs and other species. Further research will be required in order to assess long term impacts on wild fauna. The potential for the rehabilitation of these sites is dependent on managing human activities and avoiding extensive land use change.
„The root causes of the disastrous situation we faced this summer lie in the state’s chronic negligence of the country’s forests in terms of protection and management. Significant shortcomings in the
fire-fighting system, the organization of preventative measures and the monitoring of environmental
parameters are only a few aspects of this negligence”, said Demetres Karavellas, director of WWF Greece. „The future of these areas presents a major challenge for us all. Allowance for land-use changes, ill-conceived rehabilitation and restructuring activities could mean total destruction for these sites”, added Mr Karavellas.
WWF Greece is committed to helping the rehabilitation process in all affected areas, and has
undertaken a long-term commitment to contribute in solving the root cause of forest degradation in the country. WWF Greece has announced the establishment of a forest monitoring system that will
provide early warning when land-use changes are being planned and will support all relevant legal activities. The organization has also announced its decision to facilitate the process of drafting a
proposal for the overhauling of the national forest protection system, as well as its plans to actively engage local societies in forest protection activities.
For more information:
Constantinos Liarikos, Conservation Manager, tel. +30 210 3314893, c.liarikos@wwf.gr
Marita Panteri, Press Officer, mob. +30 698 2471724, m.panteri@wwf.gr
