| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.87 |
| Liaison | Rania Assariotaki |
| Submission Date | Feb. 21, 2023 |
The American College of Greece
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ourania
Assariotaki Sustainability Manager Office of Public Affairs |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, or regions of conservation importance?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
ACG Aghia Paraskevi campus is located within the broader Hymettus Natura 2000 protected area. Moreover, its facilities are built in a restricted area.
Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated respectively under the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
The plant biodiversity assessment conducted between 2018-2019 did not reveal any endangered/vulnerable plant species within the area of the campus. More specifically, 23 species of woody plants were identified, belonging to 15 different families. The campus forest is a typical example of Mediterranean maquis shrubland. Dominant plants include phrygana such as cistus, big shrubs such as kerm oak, and trees such as alepo pines.
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
The Campus Grounds are home to an endemic species of orchid, Ophrys Discipulus (Status Unknown). since its discovery in march 2013 strategies have been put in place to ensure the nonpervasive study of the plant and to identify other critical aspects of the campus ecosystem.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The ecosystem of the ACG, comprising of approximately 260,000 m2 of the western slopes of Mt
Hymettus is restricted and partially isolated from mammalian herbivores through a series of fences, walls, and buildings works. Furthermore, extensive cultivation of
various non-native plantations has altered the biodiversity
of this microsystem. Extending north to northwest of the
Hymettus Mountain, its more than 47 years of existence
and protection has so far been uncharacterized with
respect to the micro-system that has developed.
-An early indication of the importance of the project to quantify and
characterize this territory is the discovery of the novel
species of Ophrys dicipulus, identified in three locations
on the campus and up to this point appear limited to this
specific area.
-For woody plant species, quadrats were set in order to asses local diversity.
-For terrestrial invertebrates pitfall trapping was used for the assessment of diversity and population densities.
-for general assessments, Bioblitzes are being held in order to facilitate open science and enable a better accumulation of data.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The scope of this assesemnt is to characterize and protect local biodiversity. Furthermore, measurements of populations help provide baselines for the monitoring of municipal and College policies. The effects of urbanization and climate change are also considered.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Access to the forested area has been monitored as well as suggestions for leave-no-trace policies implemented and widely publicized in the community. Increased communication efforts and participatory events help to sensitize the community and highlight the importance of the habitat occupied by the campus.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.