Ecosystem investigation

Group 3

Biotic Factors

Α.Organisms on Land

B.Organisms in or near water

Α.Biotic Factors on Land1. Tree Layer2. Shrub Layer3. Field Layer ( herbs )4. Ground layer ( moss, lichen, fungi )5. Fauna

Tree Layer We have witnessed many tree species. The most characteristic are:

• Platanus Orientalis “Oriental Plane”• Salix alba “Willow”• Pinus halepensis “Aleppo Pine”• Cypressus sempervirens “Cypress”• Cercis Siliquastrum “Judas Tree”• Olea oleaster “wild olive tree”

Platanus Orientalis, or the Oriental plane, is a large, deciduous tree of the  family Platanaceae, known for its longevity and spreading crown

Pinus halepensis, commonly known as the Aleppo Pine, is a pine native to the Mediterranean region

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as Judas Tree, is a small tree from Southern Europe and Western Asia which is noted for its prolific display of deep-pink flowers in spring.

Shrub LayerWe have witnessed the following species:

Nerium oleander “oleander”Quercus coccifera “Kermes oak”Erica arborea “heath”Cistus incanus “cistus”Paliurus spina-christi “Christ’s thorn”Juniperus oxycedrus “juniper”Rubus idaeus “ Raspberry ”Rosa canina “ Wild Rose ”Vitex agnus-castus “ Vitex ’’

SHRUBS

Quercus coccifera

Erica arborea Cistus incanus

Rosa canina (commonly known as the dog rose) is a variable scrambling rose species native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia.

Nerium oleander  is an evergreen shrub in the  familyApocynacea, toxic in all its partsIt is most commonly known as oleander.

Rubus idaeus (Red Raspberry) is a red-fruited species of Rubus native to Europe and northern Asia and commonly cultivated in other temperate regions.

Vitex agnus-castus, also called Vitex is a native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is on the whole a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants.

Herb species

Thistle is the common name of a group of flowering plants characterised by leaves with sharp prickles on the margins, mostly in the family Asteraceae. Prickles often occur all over the plant – on surfaces such as those of the stem and flat parts of leaves.

Urtica sp.

Nettles constitute between 24 and 39 species of flowering plants of the genus Urtica in the family Urticaceae

Anemone blanda

Grecian Windflower is a tuberous perennial valued for its daisy-like spring-blooming flowers, native to southeastern Europe, Turkey,Lebanon and Syria.

Herbs

Anagalis arvensis

Calendula arvensis

Anemone coronaria

Ornithogallum sp.

Alkanna tinctoriaAristolochia rotunda

Myosotis sp.Forget me not

Campanula sp. Crupina crupinastrum

Muscari neglectum Orobanche sp Ophrys sphegodes

Nigela arvensis Ranunculus ficaria

Helleborus cyclophyllus Hypecum imberbe Reseda alba

Romulea bulbocodium Ruscus aculeatus

Papaver sp.Stellaria media

Potentilla sp.

Arum italicum

Ground Layer In wet and shady place we have noticed mosses forming big cushions on rocks or tree trunks. Of the course there was plenty and fungi lichens.

Fauna

Mammals Unfortunatelly we have not witnessed any mammals, but we have seen their feeding signs. The pine cone on the photo indicates the presence of squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris

Reptiles

Elaphe quatuorlineata

Testudo sp.

Lacerta viridis

Amphibians

The European tree frog is the common name of Hyla arborea. The original name of this frog was Rana arborea

The Common Frog, Rana temporaria also known as the European Common Frog or is found throughout much of Europe

Insects

Mantises is an order of insects that contains approximately 2,200 species in 15 families[

Bees are flying insects and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey

The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe

Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles

Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known

variously as ladybirds  or ladybugs 

Arachnids

Wolf spiders are members of the family Lycosidae, from the Ancient Greek word "λύκος" meaning "wolf"

Snails