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The practical module covers 28 h and it is organized in three field sessions . These sessions constitute the cornerstone of the summer school, taking advantage of the high biodiversity and cultural value of the area. Greek conservation biologists together with the instructor team from abroad will guide you to discover bear traces, Balkan chamois, rare endemic flowers, songbirds, raptors. The programme will be enrichned with a cultural excursion, presenting the local architecture and tradition.
F1: Riverine Biodiversity – Voidomatis (10h)
Giorgos Korakis and instructor team
Freshwater ecosystems are very valuable both for the maintenance of biological diversity and for the ecological services they provide. This field session is going to be held in the core area of the national park, along the river Voidomatis, following a path of 4-5 hours walk where students will discover nature at its best. The teachers will present the ecological value of Vikos-Aoos national park with special focus on nature management versus riverine biodiversity and other key species. The session will include three sub-sessions: on bird diversity, on plant diversity and on riverine macroinvertebrates.
F2: Biomonitoring techniques: radio tracking (4h)
Andrew Ramsey and instructor team
Monitoring the activity patterns of threatened animals are of primary importance in conservation biology, as scientists can investigate the species home range, ethology and activity. These results have immediate implementation interest when designing human settlements or public works such as roads. This field session will familiarize students with radio monitoring, using collars on domestic animals.
F3: Mountain Biodiversity (14h)
Haritakis Papaioannou and instructor team
Mountains of the world are hotspots of biological diversity, providing water resources, regulating climate and hosting an amazing diversity of endemic biota. We will walk from 1.000 to more than 2.000m, visiting the famous Drakolimni lake and overnight in the Astraka shelter (1950 m). Students will have the opportunity to initiate to the mountain wildlife, addressing issues of sustainable management of mountain natural resources. They will discover sub-alpine ecosystems, tritons, endemic plants, sub-alpine bird community, raptors, chamois, butterflies and much more.
S: Excursion: Culture and nature coexistence in Zagori (6h)
Haritakis Papaioannou (Center of Biological & Cultural Diversity) and Georgia Kitsaki (Epirus A.E.)
Human interference has often been an enriching rather than an impoverishing factor for biodiversity, especially in the Mediterranean area. Zagori is a nice example of the harmonic coexistence of human and wildlife through the centuries. We will visit the popular art museum “Agapios Tolis” in Kipi, the famous church of Agia Paraskevi in Monodentri (30 min walking) and Vikos gorge, the most impressive gorge in Greece. Students will learn about local history and the culture of people in Zagori. Discussions will follow on the sustainable use of natural resources through traditional practices, ecotourism and current threats to natural and cultural environment.
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