Uploaded on 2017-06-03 by Eleftheria Tsakiri

Compulsory exercise 4 What ecosystem services do you have in and around your living area? Give at least one example for each of the four types of ecosystem services. Place of residence: Athens, Attiki, Greece. There are some forests and hills and many small mountains in Athens and in the whole region of Attiki that help to control the local climate and air quality. Along with trees there are also flowers and insects in these areas that allow pollination to happen. Moreover, regarding to the biological control, the mountains and forests are home to many birds, bats and there are some parks whit artificial lakes that are home to many frogs. These areas also work as habitats to small animals, like foxes or even bigger, like wild boars. A good example is the Filopappou Hill in the centre of Athens. It’s one of the few ecosystems in the heart of the city and it offers a great resting place to migratory birds and also is the home of many native bird species. The hill despite the fact that it is so important for the balance of the city it is being neglected and has suffered from droughts. Another example of ecosystem in the centre of Athens is the National Garden .It is the home of many species of plants and as it has small artificial lakes in it is also home to some animals like water turtles or fish or frogs and insects that live near the water. There is also the Botanical Garden in Athens that is mostly dedicated to herbs and medicinal plants or generally plants that can have many different uses in our everyday lives. In addition to maintaining a great variety of these plants from all over the world it also sustains a significant variety of trees and flowers and is a wildlife spot. Rabbits, foxes, martens, turtles, frogs, many species of freshwater fish and insects, partridges and owls are some of the animals you can encounter inside the gardens. All those animals are protected by the regulations of the garden such as the visitors are not allowed to bring any animal in the park with them as there have been cases of people leaving animals inside the park that has caused damage to its ecosystem. Two big forests in Attiki are the forest of Kesariani (Mount Ymittos) and the forest of Mount Penteli. These are both really important ecosystems with a variety of trees and animal species. Another really important ecosystem is that of Mount Parnitha. Most of the ecosystem is covered by pine forests and there are many springs throughout the mountain along with some seasonal currents that do not cause erosion as the ground is covered with plants. Many different species of animals and plants can be found in the mountain. The biggest ecosystem by the sea in Attiki is the Schinias-Marathon National Park. The Park spreads over a big region that includes six ecosystems: the Schinias wetland, the Schinias pine forest by the sea, an ancient fresh water spring, the Kynosoura peninsula, the Lake Stomi and the beautiful Schinias gulf. Being an important wildlife spot the park is home to many small animals like foxes, porcupines, rabbits and badgers, frogs, turtles and reptiles and also more than 120 bird species-some of them migratory- as well as some endangered freshwater fish species. Regarding the cultural and recreational aspect of nature, there are parks and green spaces all throughout Athens especially in the suburbs. In my place of residence, Papagos, there are many small parks and a couple big ones for the citizen to relax, exercise and be in contact with nature. The National garden is the most significant park in the centre of Athens and it offers a great space for relaxation and recreation of the citizens who want to escape the madness of the city for a while. There is also the Botanical garden that is a bit outside of the centre but has the same benefits. Moreover, in the mountains like Mount Ymittos there are pre-made paths that citizens and visitors can follow easily for a nice hike or in parks where are birds and other animals like the Schinias-Marathon National Park there is equipment for bird watching or expeditions for animal watching. Tourism: Big gardens like the National Garden or the Botanical Garden mentioned above offer a great opportunity to tourists to have a relaxed walk or even a picnic in nature and escape the noise and pollution of the city for a little while. The National Animal Park is also a great place for tourists to spend a day in –as it is quite big-and watch and learn things about different animals. It is necessary to mention that the animals are kept in very good conditions, in big open spaces so it is pleasant to watch them act in an environment that is closer to their natural habitat and not just a cage. Moreover, all the big parks mentioned above like Shcinias or Parnitha are a great place for tourists to spend a day in and get in contact with the Greek nature and wildlife surrounded by amazing landscape. Spiritual aspect: There are many caves dedicated to gods from the ancient years like the Panos cave in Mount Parnitha that was dedicated to the ancient god Panas and the Nymphs.