Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity
The natural environment of Greece is quite diverse with some seventy percent of its land being covered by mountains. It also has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean so there is no doubt both the biodiversity on land and in the sea is important to the Greeks in terms of cultural diversity. As far as species go, there are over 6,000 known plant species. There is also an abundant fresh water fish population consisting of 107 species, 37 of which are endemic. There are also at least 18 species of amphibians and 59 species of reptiles. There have also been about 407 bird species identified, 240 of which are native to Greece. Another 116 mammal species belong to Greece and 57 of these are part of the endangered species list of Greece. The number of invertebrate species is also rather large compared to the relatively small size of Greece, which is at estimated to be at about 25,000. It shouldn’t be too big of a surprise that there are so many different species can be found in the country of Greece given their diverse range of ecosystems for these plant and animal species to thrive.
Greek Mythology has long been important in Greek culture. Pigs were thought to be sacred to the Greek Goddess Demeter, the goddess of corn, grain, and the harvest. During Thesmophoria, an event to honor Demeter and Persephone and celebrated by married women, pigs were sacrificed. The sacrificing of a dog, cock, or pick, was a sign of purification. Other times sheep or cattle were sacrificed. In honor of the god Bacchus, goats were sacrificed. Animal sacrifices were done carefully as one slip could ruin the entire thing and the choice of animals along with the method of sacrifice was selected carefully.
Greek culture today is far from the ancient practices of sacrifices, though. Today there have been measures to preserve habitats for creatures living in Greece and protect endangered species. For one, forest conservation has been a big part of this. There is a four part program in Greece called Forests of the Future which consists of the national forest protection system, forest watch, local rehabilitation interventions, and awareness and engagement of society. This is just one way in which Greece has taken steps to preserve the natural environment.
Greek Mythology has long been important in Greek culture. Pigs were thought to be sacred to the Greek Goddess Demeter, the goddess of corn, grain, and the harvest. During Thesmophoria, an event to honor Demeter and Persephone and celebrated by married women, pigs were sacrificed. The sacrificing of a dog, cock, or pick, was a sign of purification. Other times sheep or cattle were sacrificed. In honor of the god Bacchus, goats were sacrificed. Animal sacrifices were done carefully as one slip could ruin the entire thing and the choice of animals along with the method of sacrifice was selected carefully.
Greek culture today is far from the ancient practices of sacrifices, though. Today there have been measures to preserve habitats for creatures living in Greece and protect endangered species. For one, forest conservation has been a big part of this. There is a four part program in Greece called Forests of the Future which consists of the national forest protection system, forest watch, local rehabilitation interventions, and awareness and engagement of society. This is just one way in which Greece has taken steps to preserve the natural environment.
Resources
EKBY. (n.d.). Natural environment of greece. Retrieved from: http://www.ekby.gr/ekby/en/Natural_Environment_main_en.html
Hayes, J. (2012). Ancient greek religious beliefs. Retreived from: http://factsanddetails.com/world.php?itemid=2027&catid=56
Ioannis, M. (2004). Thesmorphia. Retrieved from: http://hellas.teipir.gr/Thesis/Pol_Thrace/english/ionian/8esmoforia.htm
WWF. (2009). Forests for the future. Retrieved from: http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/greece/projects/index.cfm?uProjectID=GR0071
Hayes, J. (2012). Ancient greek religious beliefs. Retreived from: http://factsanddetails.com/world.php?itemid=2027&catid=56
Ioannis, M. (2004). Thesmorphia. Retrieved from: http://hellas.teipir.gr/Thesis/Pol_Thrace/english/ionian/8esmoforia.htm
WWF. (2009). Forests for the future. Retrieved from: http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/greece/projects/index.cfm?uProjectID=GR0071