Biodiversity
Biodiversity was very important in ancient Greece as well as present day Greece. Without biodiversity, the early development of its culture would not have happened. Greece’s existence was determined by the geography of the land and how they interacted with it. The sea, the mountains, and the lush valleys were extremely crucial to its survival.
The vegetation in the country is very dependent on the various geographical regions. There are about 6,000 indigenous species in Greece, and early Greeks used these plants and animals for farming, food, and traveling. However, because there was only about 20% of usable land, it was very difficult to farm. Despite this, farmers grew figs, olives, grains, fruit and grapes in the fertile river valleys. They also hunted animals such as rabbits, boar, and deer for survival.
In addition, Greece needed to import and export goods for their economy. Because of the biodiversity of the land, they were able to accomplish this. Ancient Greeks became known as great sailors because of the vast amounts of water that surrounded them as well the wood they were able to use to build them. They were also able to use the sea for fishing, which became an immense part of their diets. Also, the mountainous terrain of the country was exceptionally helpful in the battles and wars that Greece fought in as well as caused the country to become more diverse because of the mountain separations. Each part of the country has become unique in its own way with different types of people.
Today, however, biodiversity has greatly impacted Greece. There has been a 70% loss of habitats due to uncontrolled expansion, over-exploitation of species and natural resources, as well as illegal fishing. This has impacted Greece’s culture through loss of tourism, consequences to the economy, and loss of native species that Greece has been a home to for thousands of years. If there are not improvements in the future, much of the rich cultural identity that Greece holds will be negatively impacted.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/countries/gr/soertopic_view?topic=biodiversity
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/environment/
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/geography/home_set.html
The vegetation in the country is very dependent on the various geographical regions. There are about 6,000 indigenous species in Greece, and early Greeks used these plants and animals for farming, food, and traveling. However, because there was only about 20% of usable land, it was very difficult to farm. Despite this, farmers grew figs, olives, grains, fruit and grapes in the fertile river valleys. They also hunted animals such as rabbits, boar, and deer for survival.
In addition, Greece needed to import and export goods for their economy. Because of the biodiversity of the land, they were able to accomplish this. Ancient Greeks became known as great sailors because of the vast amounts of water that surrounded them as well the wood they were able to use to build them. They were also able to use the sea for fishing, which became an immense part of their diets. Also, the mountainous terrain of the country was exceptionally helpful in the battles and wars that Greece fought in as well as caused the country to become more diverse because of the mountain separations. Each part of the country has become unique in its own way with different types of people.
Today, however, biodiversity has greatly impacted Greece. There has been a 70% loss of habitats due to uncontrolled expansion, over-exploitation of species and natural resources, as well as illegal fishing. This has impacted Greece’s culture through loss of tourism, consequences to the economy, and loss of native species that Greece has been a home to for thousands of years. If there are not improvements in the future, much of the rich cultural identity that Greece holds will be negatively impacted.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/countries/gr/soertopic_view?topic=biodiversity
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/environment/
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/geography/home_set.html
Athens, Greece Climate Graph
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.greece.climatemps.com/
Physical Map of Greece; [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.maps.com/ref_map.aspx?pid=12050
Topographical Map of Greece; [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.vidiani.com/?p=2096
Fishing in Greece; (n.d.). Retrieved from http://0.tqn.com/d/cruises/1/0/R/J/5/Gythion_1621.JPG
Vineyard of Greece; (n.d.). Retrieved from http://blog.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/germanvineyard.jpg
Kamari Beach on the Santorini Island in Greece; [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.santorini-web.com
Island of Karpathos in Greece; [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.visitkarpathos.com/articles/?article=54
