Supervisors info:
Μαργαρίτα Αριανούτσου – Φαραγγιτάκη (Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ)
Θεοφάνης Κωνσταντινίδης (Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ)
Δρ. Ιωάννης Μπαζός (ΕΔΙΠ, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ)
Summary:
This thesis aims to collect data on the non-native plant taxa of Botanical Gardens in Greece, both cultivated and accidental introductions, as well as on the status and management measures of biological invasions in these gardens.
Data collection was carried out with a specially designed questionnaire addressed to the responsible managers of the Gardens. The main preparatory step was the compilation of a list of the Botanical Gardens (in a broad sense) in Greece that were in operation at the time of the preparation of this study. A total of 25 botanical gardens were contacted and data were collected from nine of them. This data concern general information about each botanical garden such as the provision of guided tours, the invasive species hosted in the garden and the measures taken to prevent and control biological invasions at each level. Based on the limited data available, it appears that a significant number of botanic gardens maintain in their collections alien species, which have been introduced mainly for ornamental purposes. Specifically, five of the nine gardens we contacted host invasive species that have been recently or previously introduced.
In total, 396 different species of alien plants were identified in botanical gardens in Greece. For these species, we examined and investigated their origin, their growth form, known dispersal mechanisms, and whether they have been recorded as alien and invasive in the wilds of Greece. The families with the highest representation are Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Rosaceae. The vast majority are woody species. These species originate mainly from Oceania, East Asia and North and South America. Of the 73 species for which the dispersal mechanism was identified, 30 species are dispersed by foraging, 18 by wind dispersal and 12 by multiple methods. Finally, five of the species are included in the National List of Invasive Species.
Based on the data collected on management protocols, knowledge and operational gaps were identified for the botanical gardens of Greece and appropriate information material on biological invasions was created for both staff and visitors of the Botanical Gardens of Greece on the risks of invasive species escape and prevention of potential impacts on biodiversity, for both staff and visitors of the Botanical Gardens of Greece.
Keywords:
Alien plant species, Botanical Gardens, Parks, Greece
