Year: 2018

Being either saprotrophs that decompose dead wood and leaf-litter, or mutualistic partners forming symbiotic relationships with alders, the fungi related to alders are important for the equilibrium of natural ecosystems, while they constitute a unique part of the biodiversity of this endangered habitat. In this thematic newsletter you are invited to follow the experts in their search and collection of mushrooms, that took place last month and learn interesting facts on the species they spotted. Newsletter

Project experts visited the priority habitats at Vori and Evroussies at 23-25/11/2018 for collecting mushrooms formed by ectomycorrhizal fungi of alder trees. Paxillus cf. rubicundulus mushrooms were located and collected at the stone-build bridge of Vourkoti. Suspensions containing mushroom fragments were prepared and applied to the roots of alder plantlets maintained at Agadaki Estate. The alder and their ectomycorrhizal fungi develop a very interesting symbiotic relationship, through which both parties benefit. The fungus facilitates the alder at absorbing nutrients from the soil, while in return, it receives organic compounds formed by the alder through photosynthesis.

A large number of different plant species were collected from various areas of Andros (23-25/11/2018 and 7-8/12/2018), including several endangered and rare taxa. All plants were transferred to the nursery located at Agadaki Estate where they will remain until their final transplanting in the Botanic Garden.

In October 14 and 15 (2018) two technical workshops took place in Korthi and Messaria on Andros island. The workshops focused at discussing with and informing stakeholders (restaurateurs, members of the fishing and tourism sectors) about fishing tourism and the development of a brand name aiming at the promotion of local products. An invited expert on coastal fishing and fishing tourism participated in the workshops by providing valuable information. Representatives of coastal fishermen shared their experiences, reported problems they are facing and expressed their opinions regarding the prospects of fishing tourism in Andros, as well as the importance of certifying their products.

The first newsletter of the project, including a short presentation of the project and its main outcomes during its first year, is out and available here.

Five cameras are currently monitoring the activity in the interior of Andros’ sea caves, used by Monk Seals for resting and pupping. At the beginning of the year, experts on Mediterranean Monk Seal conducted field expeditions to the resting and pupping sites of the species that are found within the project area. They examined thoroughly the sea caves and subsequently designed special cave camera traps, to be installed in them. A system that is already used at the Mediterranean Monk Seal colonies at the Madeira archipelago, in the framework of the project LIFE MADEIRA MONK SEAL, was selected and adapted to the conditions of Andros. The cave camera traps equipped with infrared cameras have been installed in five sea caves and are in operation since July. They are expected to…

On July 21st, with the valuable help of the Cultural Association of Arni, named "Evangelistria", an informative meeting was held at the association’s offices, where the two LIFE programs of Andros were presented to the local stakeholders. After the presentation followed an interesting debate, which clarified many questions from the interested parties and it was agreed that there should be continuous cooperation and information so that the maximum benefits for the local community and for the valuable natural environment of the island can be obtained. The meeting was attended by representatives of the two LIFE programs, the municipality of Andros and ELGO Demeter. We particularly thank Mr. Spyros Halas and the members of the association for the organization of the event and we promise to continue these lively discussions and…

About 9.000 alder seedlings, which were collected from alder stands in alluvial lands of Andros and matured in the premises of the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), were prepared into sowing disks and under controlled conditions for seedbeds for a time period of 3 months in AUA, until they were in a preferable size for transplanting. At the same time during the last two months, constructions for the preparation of a nursery (shading system, irrigation network and fencing) were implemented in Agadaki Estate (Kairios Library), while the procedures for the acquisition of the necessary supplies for the implementation of alders’ transplanting were finalized. The relocation of alder seedlings from the AUA to the nursery of Agadaki Estate and their transplanting into special designed bags for maturation (where they will remain…

On Saturday the 28th of April 2018, an informative event on the project LIFE Andros Park for the community of Andros, took place at the Municipal Theatre of Chora. The purpose of the event and the speeches given, were to present the subject of the project’s activities, and its connection to the former LIFE project that was implemented in Andros (ANDROSSPA), as well as with the project LIFE Terracescape which is implemented at the same time in the island, while a representative from the Ministry of Environment (Mr I. Mitsopoulos) gave a presentation for the special characteristics of the NATURA 2000 sites. Additionally, there was a strong focus to the necessity for active support and participation to the project by Andros’ citizens, in order to create a relationship of mutual…

A two day technical audit of the project LIFE Andros Park was held in Andros the 27th and 28th of April 2018 by the representative of the External Monitoring Team of the project, Mrs Koutsolioutsou. During the control, a visit was paid to selected project sites, such as the Agadaki Estate, where the construction works of the Botanical Garden have already started. The purpose of the Botanical Garden is to become a pole of attraction and information of the island’s citizens, as well as of tourists. At the same time it will be of great importance for the restoration of the alder forests of the island, as it will function as a transitional station (from the Agricultural University of Athens to the sites of permanent plantation) of the young seedlings’…