In situ and ex situ plant conservation in Greece in the framework of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Abstract

Despite recent, significant developments in our knowledge of the Greek flora, important gaps do exist. Moreover, an integrated and country-wide study of the conservation status of endemic, rare and threatened plant taxa is urgently needed, particularly towards mitigating the ever increasing, current threats imposed by urban development, tourism and climatic change. A complete list of the 63 Greek plants included in the Habitats Directive is presented and the geographical distribution of the 26 priority taxa is illustrated. Finally, progress recorded through various in situ and ex situ conservation initiatives is presented and discussed.