The
beautiful country of Greece, has been a top tourist destination for
millions of people across the globe. No doubt, many tourists come to
witness ancient Grecian civilization including, where Greece’s political
system began, the Acropolis.
The anticipation of basking in the warm Mediterranean environment,
which has warm summers and mild winters, is also truly a haven for the
travelers who are able to make Greece their destination. However,
little do unsuspecting travelers know that the Grecian ecosystem is
dwindling away. Unfortunately, the various forms of pollution in the
soil, air and detrimental forest fires over the years are some of the
triggers to Greece’s dissipating ecosystem. In order to stop this
current ecosystem trend, the Grecian vegetation must be protected.
Securing this important natural environment with it’s diverse habitats,
water systems, and lush forests is vital.
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The
diverse ecosystem of Greece provides large populations of trees and
other vegetation, but in recent generations the plant life has been
negatively affected. Before exploring what ecological problems exist
today in the region, a general geographical knowledge of Greece must be
understood. The location of Greece lies south of the Balkan Peninsula,
and borders the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas with a population
of 11.26 million people (Eurostat, 2008-12).
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| http://www.greek-islands.us/map-greece/greece-map.gif |
Evergreen
and Deciduous Forests cover 25.5% (3,359,000 acres) of the land and
another 23.9% (3,154,000 hectares) consist of woodlands that are often
involved in deforestation (WWF Greece, 2004). Mountains cover 80% of the
country and the forests that lie there contain 6,000 large variations
of species that are mostly indigenous like the Greek Fir, the Black
Pine, and the Birch (Eurostat, 2008-12. par. 3).
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| Greek Fir |
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| Black Pine |
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| Birch Forest |
These
trees add to the exceptional beauty of Greece and are very important
because they help maintain the vast ecosystem. A few of the ecological
values brought by Greece’s forestry is that they produce oxygen, bind
carbon dioxide, act as natural air conditioners, block wind and noise,
retain soil, preserve nutrients, and prevent soil erosion (par. 2).
Another major part of this ecosystem are the animals that are indigenous
to the area. There are numerous endemic species in these forests, but
the major forest mammals include: the Red Deer, the Brown Bear, the
Golden Jackal, and the Grey Wolf, the Boar and the Badger (par. 3).
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| Brown Bear |
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| Golden Jackal |
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| Badger |
In
such a diverse and lush environment, threats are bound to arise.
Especially as urban development, tourists, and population increase.
Forest fires have become a significant problem that continues today as
large portions of forestry in Greece are wiped out. As a matter a fact,
in 2007, a devastating fire in Greece made Time Magazine’s 2011 top 5
devastating wildfires burning approximately 670,000 acres (Rosenfeld,
2011). Fire emissions are highly underestimated and actually “produce
significant ozone when mixed with urban pollution” (Tzannatos, 2010).
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| The wildfire ablaze near the Acropolis |
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| The wildfire close to the historical monuments |
In addition, the large production of gases like sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides make what is called ‘acid rain.’ Acid Rain is defined as
a large mix of industrial pollutants in rain that become very acidic;
even worse than the substance of vinegar ("Acid Rain," 2007).
According
to the governmental Air Pollution Control in the United Kingdom, the
effects of acid rain first target trees directly as they “become more
vulnerable to disease, weather, and insects” and then indirectly through
rain washing the nutrients and good minerals away so the trees cannot
use them for growth (Fresh Air, 2012. par. 7). The effects of acid rain
from high levels of emissions in the country are detrimental not only to
the forests, but also to many important ancient monuments such as the much visited Acropolis found in Athens, Greece.
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| Pollution in atmosphere present in Athens |
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| Pine tree branch on right not effected by acid rain |
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| Wiped out portions of forestry |
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Acid
rain causes great harm to these ancient buildings made of limestone and
sandstone. Limestone and sandstone make the portions of the building to
powder off and wash away,
which weakens the buildings causing more damage in the last 50 years
than ever before (Fresh Air, 2012. par. 7). Acid rain found on marble
sculptures also demonstrates the powerful effects of this agent. Once
acid rain touches the marble, surface degradation begins as chemical
transformation begins to soak up into the monuments and cause cracking
or break offs (par. 7).
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| Sediments washing off and damaging buildings of historical value |
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| Effects of acid rain on marble sculpture |
Although
these monuments do not add to the ecology of Greece parse, they play an
important role in the identity of Greece and its world wide popular
intrigue. The beautiful city currently depends on tourism for its
upkeep. Greece depends on tourism for somewhere between 15% and 20% of
its overall GDP of nearly $350 billion (Karabell, 2011). In order for
the ecosystem to be protected, the government must carefully examine the
environmental issues alongside the economic ones. Maintaining
the invaluable Acropolis in Athens and the large forests and vegetation
throughout Greece is vital. Thankfully, there have been measures over
the past few years to eliminate the formation of acid rain and
pollutants, but more extreme measure must be taken.
Although
the city of Greece has several dangerous threats encroaching on the
environment, there are several steps that have been taken over time to
help protect the unique ecosystem. The effects of Athens pollution
clearly became aware in the 1970’s with the rise in the demand for
vehicles and electricity (Eurostat, 2008-12).
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| http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/eea-32-nitrogen-oxides-nox-emissions/eea-32-nitrogen-oxides-nox |
The emission produced by
the industry were so bad that laws were put in place ten years later.
The laws enacted limited the gas emission release in order to reduce
acid rain and other pollutants, but the high emission rates in Greece
still remain (Fresh Air, 2011. par. 7).
According
to the EEA, pollution causing activities, emission standards and
regulations like the “further promotion of natural gas in industry,
power supply and residential sector and renewable sources” have been
helpful (EEA, 2010). In the United States, the Environmental Protection
Agency requires that power plants “install electrostatic precipitators
and baghouse filters” to get rid of solid particles (EEA, 2011). Europe
has also installed these types of pollutant reducers because they are
known to be effective. Besides targeting power plants close to Greece to
get rid of emissions, there have been several laws that affect people
directly. Just this year in September the government enforced a law that
lowers emission in the atmosphere by allowing only low-emission cars to
drive in the capital (EEA, 2010). Amongst all these different
regulations from the EU to help Greeces environment, national parks play
a vital role in salvaging what beautiful trees, lakes, and wildlife
remain as well. There are currently ten national parks; an increased
number since the 1970’s (WWF Greece, 2011. par. 8).
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| Parnassos National Park |
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| Samaria National Park |
In the same manner, more aggressive measures to educate Greece’s
environmental state in the schools should be pursued. Adaptions of wind and solar energy have already taken place and should continue to be developed throughout the country.
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| Wind Energy Farm in Greece |
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| Martifer Solar Hellas Photovoltaic Plant in Greece |
Currently, the
Mediterranean Education Initiative for Environment and Sustainability is
just one organization that helps teach students the importance of
promoting environmental issues and developing new innovative ways people
can help make a difference (MEDIES, 2012). By further enforcing MEDIES
as well as introducing other environmental friendly educational steps,
the threats laid against Greece’s environment will eventually diminish.
Greece
needs to continue improving its environment by strengthening its
implemented regulations as well as developing new ones. Incorporating
concerns for the environment in economic decisions and teaching the
people about good environmental upkeep will profit the country much. As
they continue to do this many residents and much needed tourists can
enjoy the unique beauty of Greece for many years to come.
Works Cited
"Acid Rain." The Geography Site: Acid Rain. N.p., 4 Sept. 2007. Web. 01 Dec. 2012.
EEA. "Air Pollution: Greece." European Environment Agency (EEA). N.p., 26 Nov. 2010. Web. 01 Dec. 2012.
Eurostat.
"Greece's 4th National Communication to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change; Greece's National Allocation Plan for 2008-2012." European Environment Agency Technical Report No. 10/. N.p., Mar. 2006. Web. 1 Dec. 2012.
Fresh Air. "A Serious Environmental Problem: Acid Rain." Effects of Acid Rain. Fresh Air UK, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2012.
Karabell, Zachary. "What Can You Do To Help Greece? Go There." Business Money What Can You Do To Help Greece. Time, 7 June 2011. Web. 01 Dec. 2012.
MEDIES. "Handbook on Methods Used in Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development." MEDIES. Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development, 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.
Rosenfeld, Everett. "Top 10 Devastating Wildfires." Time. Time, 8 June 2011. Web. 1 Dec. 2012.
Tzannatos, E. "Ship Emissions and Their Externalities for Greece." Atmospheric Environment Journal. 44.18 (2010): 2194-2202. Pages 45-51. Print.
WWF Greece. "Assessment of the Greek Protected Areas System: From Theory to Practice." World Wildlife Fund Greece, Sept. 2004. Web. 1 Dec. 2012.
