Transcript Scrubland ecosystems in Crete

250579 – Natural Europe
CIP-ICT PSP-2009-3
A tour to the
mediterranean shrublands
into the
Natural History Museum of
Crete
• Shrublands are made up
of shrubs or short trees.
They are the areas that
are located in regions
between 30° and 40°
North and South latitude.
• Some of the places
include southern
California, Chile, Mexico,
areas surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea, and
southwest parts of Africa
and Australia (see
following map).
Expansion of mediterranean shrublands
around the world
• These shrubs have
adapted to droughtlike conditions. They
have small leaves to
limit water loss, thorns
to protect them from
grazing animals,
succulent leaves or
stems, storage organs
to store water, and
long taproots to reach
groundwater.
• Some have leaves
with waxy coatings
and leaves that
reflect the sunlight.
• Several plants have
developed fireresistant
adaptations to
survive the frequent
fires that occur
during the dry
season.
• Many typical members of the shrub flora are
aromatic (for example, sage, rosemary,
thyme, and oregano) and contain essential
oils.
• The mediterranean
shrubland houses
many forms of wildlife
such as wild goats,
wild cats, foxes,
crested porcupines,
vultures and eagles.
• Many small mammals,
reptiles and insects
inhabit also this areas.
OUR TOUR
INTO THE NATURAL HISTORY
MUSEUM OF CRETE
• Let’s start our tour in the NHMC MegaDiorama of mediterranean shrublands and
compare the life in three shrublands. One
from Cyrenaica, another one from Crete and
one from Balkans.
SHRUBLAND of CYRENAICA (LIBYA)
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
• A small, migratory, scavenger bird species, which
usually feeds on food remains from larger birds. Its
populations are declining in the Mediterranean.
Cape Hare, Lepus capensis
• Cape hare is morphologically similar and has the
same behaviour with the European hare, even
though they inhabit very different environments.
Common Raven, Corvus corax
• Common ravens are found from the Arctic until the
Mediterranean ecosystems of North Africa. They are
omnivorous; their diet may vary widely with
location and season.
Phoenicean Juniper, Juniperus phoenicea
• A large shrub that grows mainly in low altitude
rocky slopes, often close to the sea. Its leaves are
scale-like, and the female cones are green, pearlshaped, and turn brown when ripe.
Crested Porcupine, Hystrix cristata
• A large rodent with characteristic long quills on its
back. It is mainly herbivorous. In order to ingest
calcium and sharpen its incisors, it often gnaws on
bones.
If threatened, it will stamp
its feet, whirr the quills,
and charge the disturber
back end first trying to
stab the enemy with the
thicker, shorter quills.
These attacks are known
to have killed lions,
leopards, hyenas, and
even humans.
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Hippolais pallida
• A typical insectivorous bird of the Mediterranean,
which prefers trees, bushes and river banks.
Chaffinch immature, Fringilla coelebs
• A resident of North Africa, that differs from the
European chaffinch by its light blue crown and neck,
and its green back.
Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
• A small, migratory lark with brown-yellow plumage. It
can be seen in the Mediterranean area from spring to
autumn. This is a common bird of dry open country
and cultivation. It nests on the ground and feeds on
seeds.
SHRUBLAND of CRETE, GREECE
Wood Lark,
Lullula arborea
• Despite its
name, in Crete
the wood lark is
mostly found in
shrub land and
avoids
cultivations.
During winter it
forms flocks.
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula
• The adult male has
glossy black plumage,
and an orange-yellow
bill. The adult female
is sooty-brown with a
dull yellowishbrownish bill.
• Its Cretan populations
have increased during
the last years in urban
areas.
Bonelli's Eagle, Hieraaetus fasciatus
• A typical eagle species, smaller than the golden
eagle. It nests in gorges from where it rarely leaves.
Hunting in pairs is common for this species.
Chukar, Alectoris chukar
• In the past, chukar was present all over Crete, but
nowadays is restricted to the mountains and isolated
lowland areas.
• Cretan wildcat lives on
the mountains of Crete
and preys upon small
mammals and birds. It
has intermediate
characteristics between
the European and the
African wildcats.
• Irrational opening of
dirt tracks as well as
illegal poisoning have
further restricted its
distribution.
Cretan Wildcat,
Felis sylvestris cretensis
Sardinian Warbler couple, Sylvia melanocephala
• The most common warbler in the Mediterranean
region. The male is easily distinguished by its black
head and red eye-ring.
Woodchat Shrike,
Lanius senator
• Shrikes are migratory
medium-sized passerine
birds with hooked
beaks, like that of a bird
of prey, reflecting their
predatory nature. They
eat large insects and
small birds impaling
their bodies on thorns.
Common Kestrel,
Falco tinnunculus
• The most common
falcon of Crete, which is
often seen hovering in
search of its prey. It
feeds on rodents,
reptiles and insects.
Scops Owl, Otus scops
• The smallest and most
common owl of Crete,
that preys mainly on
insects. It nests in trees
and houses.
Jerusalem Sage,
Phlomis lanata
• An endemic shrub of
Crete, quite common in
rocky and arid areas. Its
stems and leaves are
covered with hair, that
protect it from
dehydration.
SHRUBLAND of BALKANS
Hedgehog, Erinaceus roumanicus
• A common species throughout Europe, which is
rarely active in winter. Common diet items include
insects, small vertebrates, fruits and nuts. When
disturbed, it rolls into a tight ball, causing all of the
spines to point outwards.
European Roller, Coracias garrulus
• Α migratory species, with continuously declining
populations especially in Europe.
• It feeds on plants and large insects.
Little Owl, Athene noctua
• A small-sized owl,
symbol of wisdom. It is
active during day and
night. It takes prey such
as insects, earthworms,
amphibians, but also
small birds and
mammals. It usually
nests in holes in trees
or rocks.
Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus
• The Cirl bunting is a resident species of the
Mediterranean area. It occurs on arable land and
nests in hedgerows, trees and bushes.
Spur Thighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca
• The most common Mediterranean tortoise. Its
populations in North Africa are endangered due to
intense collecting for food.
Kermes Oak, Quercus coccifera
• An evergreen, drought resistant oak, with small,
leathery, spiny leaves. It is normally a shrub, but
under certain conditions, it can grow into a big tree.
Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes
• The red fox is a
carnivore with
characteristic greyreddish colour and a
fluffy tail. It has not any
special habitat
preferences and
reaches suburban areas
for food.
The majority of its diet
consists of mice, lizards,
birds, eggs, insects and
earthworms as well as
plants. In winter it also
scavenges carrion.
Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur
• A very timid species, which nests in trees. Due to
intensive hunting its populations are declining
worldwide.
European Glass Lizard, Pseudopus apodus
• A robust legless lizard reaching 1.4 m in length. It lives
throughout the Balkans and the Middle East. If
carefully observed, it can be easily distinguished from
a snake by its ears and eye lids. It consumes various
invertebrates and small mammals.
Booted Eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
• The smallest eagle in Europe. It prefers open
woodland or shrublands of low and medium altitude,
where it feeds mainly on birds and lizards.
Eurasian Hoopoe, Upupa epops
• It nests in holes in trees, rocks or buildings. The diet
of the hoopoe is mostly composed of insects and
worms. It overwinters in Africa.
Buzzard, Buteo buteo
• One of the most
common raptors in
Greece. It nests in trees
and hunts in
cultivations or open
wooded areas looking
for small mammals and
birds. On the islands
reptiles constitute the
majority of its diet.