Flora and Fauna

ERASMUS K2 +

Mediterranean SeaThe Mediterranean , although is a sea of small extent compared to other seas in the world ocean, is a deep sea with many coasts and major islands

such as:

Cyprus, Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesbos, Chios, Kefalonia and Corfu

in the eastern Mediterranean.

It is one of the richest in terms of numbers of animals and plants that live in its waters. This is due to the geological history and the variety of

physicochemical conditions.

THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTso different from the land…

THE WEALTH OF CRETAN BOTTOM..

The natural wealth of Crete is not exhausted in the mountains and gorges, the rare habitats and beaches. It goes even deeper.

Literally!The seabed of the island hides another, magical world, where colors

rages, fishes are masters of camouflage, corals (yes, we have corals in Crete!) forming improbable formats, octopus lurking lazily in their hiding places, the eels emerge from the most unlikely places and the nuns move in herds! The patrons of the Cretan seabed certainly not exhaustive here:

molluscs, crustaceans, anemones, small and large fishes, Sea grass meadows, endemic species, tropical "immigrants" ,who slipped in the

Mediterranean after the opening of the Suez Canal, and more.

All this, while the diving tourism in Crete is not developed in proportion with the underwater wealth and worldwide fans of diving, ignoring this

aspect of the island, looking for the next adventure in the travel brochures of exotic destinations.

The fake coral Μyriapora truncata

The largest collection of color contrasts ...

MEADOWS OF SEA GRASS…The forests of the sea

…It is evolutionarily superior marine plants with important ecological role, as there is developed a rich marine

fauna and flora. They offer natural oxygen for

reproduction and growth of many marine organisms. In the depths of

the meadows of Sea grass the network rhizomes and roots

retain the sediment of the seabed, while the high density of the leaves absorbs lots of energy of waves and

limit beach erosion.

Where ever there is Sea grass certainly the sea is

clean

Sea grass is not

seaweed ...

…and what is it;

Sea grass Oceanic..The planet of Mediterranean Sea

They are immersed in seawater. They have roots,

stems, leaves, even flowers and fruits. Their leaves may reach 1 meter length and their color is green.But, as the leaves

grow older becomes dark brown and falls from the plant, while it litters subsequently new.,The senescent leaves will be seduced by the waves and

washed onto the sandy shore, and actually these are the brown ribbons we often find

onto the beaches..

... And with algae, what happens?

Algae (which in the literature are

referring to as algae, but all

composite names which concerns

them using Greek root phyco- eg

Phycology for Phycology) are

evolutionarily inferior water plants

have no roots, stems, leaves,

flowers and fruits. These ..

If Sea grass is not

algae…

…then which are

algae?

…Pricks the rocks, other algae and even on living organisms …

Swing… Err in water………

There are…

..the basis of the food chains .. The perfect display for the excellent quality of sea water. Our country is home to more than 600 different species of algae , which was developed in the Greek seabed, precisely because of the lack of major hot spots. Algae are also very common in coastal waters. Those who love diving from the rocks or love swimming with mask on rocky shores definitely will have saw them. They are those small plants, usually brownish color, which sometimes look like small shrubs. Their size is small in Greece,

usually not exceeding 20 - 30 centimeters.

"Rodymenia" red-brown algae,the salad of the sea

in the western part of Crete…

Cystoseira Small trees or

shrubs that have hard texture. In

Greece these species are very

common in shallow depths

(0-1 meter).

"Alga or sycamore umbrella"Useful indicator of clean sea .

"Kelp"

Loves light

and prefers shallow

depths until 20m. Looks like the form

of ventalias- funnel and belongs

to brown algae.

"Brown algae"Loves the luminous life of sea...

"Red algae"in shaded areas of the seabed.

These algae grow up in large quantities in

polluted ports, piers,near to conduits that removes effluents,

covering all the surface of the rocks in very

shallow depths- usually in the point where the waves are crashing.

The lettuce Ulva that…….warns

Attention!!

….further up…..

The reason that makes it so special is that it is edible and

eaten mainly from the residents of Western Crete, who hunting after it. The result is that it’ s populations are reducing more

and more and be endangered of full extinction. We meet thePolysiphonia Algae on rocks in

shallow waters and local people names it “ The salad of the sea”.

Polysiphonia Algae..a special kind of

algae in theWest of Crete ..

Caulerpa racemosa,Algae..alien

Τhe algae alien, has been located in many submarine areas of the Greek space and “migrated” from tropical areas to the Mediterranean basin. It threatens and the Greek seas, as it is behaving as an invasion which leads to

biological pollution of the marine ecosystem. It covers the flora of the area and as a result the food of the

herbivorous marine organizations and fishes is reduced and subsequently is being changed the composition of

the habitats which are the refuge for many marine organisms.

The ¾ of the earth are covered by water, by big water masses. Sweet and mainly salted water. Rivers, lakes, seas, oceans.. A fantastic and rich variety of plants and animals, from tiny to huge organisms littered, evolved, adjusted, living in the land and in the sea and are

characterized from important similarities and differences.

The coastal zone, a transition zone from the land area, to the water and in deed to the salted water, is an area that values study, particularly rich and weird. Every single

organism plant or animal, small or big, has it’ s own position due to its environment, its necessities, its adaptations.

So, both Sea grass and algae are necessary for conservation of the life in the sea ( and not only because the oxygen they release is being used from other organizations), and their

role is corresponding to them at the forests of the land for the overland wormwood animals.

So Sea grass is considered today both from European Union and Greek legislation as a protected species and have already started efforts mapping it in Greece.

THE EARTH ………..IS A WATER WORLD

MARINE FAUNA

The diversity with the many and rocked coasts of inhabited and uninhabited islands and islets of Greek seas creates favorable

conditions for establishment and reproduction of many species of marine fauna.

Sponges hold an important position in the aquatic

ecosystem, mainly due to the enormous importance of the disinfection of water, the live filters as they are called, and for providing shelter and support for a variety of organizations.

Their shape is characterized by

asymmetry, with main feature of the porous

structure of the skeleton. The sponges need hard

substrate (rocky bottom) to attach and filter water to

feed.

SPONGES

Cnidarians are producing poison which they use in order to kill small sea

animals. Here belong jellyfishes, sea anemones etch.…….

CNIDARIANS… be careful!!!

“jellyfish “ marine invertebrates

(Cnidarians), plank tonic organisms. Usually

roaming at the surface of the warm seas and

carried away by winds and currents.

Sea Anemone (Anemonia viridis)

As beautiful as it is, it can be proved dangerous if someone

is found closer to the legal limit. The sea anemone is the

number one enemy of the summer holidays .. It is found in small deep till 20 m. in areas

of direct sunlight. Its tentacles have, depending on the lighting, different colors. Although it can be moved, the most of the time is attached

to rocks

The corals of Ionian..the photophobia

«Mermaid» Paramuricea clavata

It’s ramifications, yellow or orange color, have irregular

shape that remotely resemble a fan.

Prefers rocky bottoms and lives in deep, rocky

substrates and in caves. Usually has deep red color, however, it can be met in various shades of red and

orange. It’s branches usually reach 50 cm., but can often

be up to one meter.

A diving in the Ionian Sea is more than exciting. In the crystal clear waters is lying a colorful underwater paradise, dotted with red corals and gorgonians, that few have the

opportunity to face up.

"Red corals» (Corallium rubrum), from far away looks

colorless and dark, but when you approach and turn on

the lights of flash your eyes are filling with color. The

black branches turn into bright red and yellow showing

an underwater paradise.

«Γοργόνιες» Paramuricea clavata

ANNELIDS

Annelids spreads its impressive fan .

We meet them attached to rocky substrates of the

seabed at depths of 40 to 200 m.

MOLLUSKSThe Mollusks are one of the most populous

phyla of animals, perhaps the greatest after arthropods. In order to be fed they

use a special tongue, like rasp. Most mollusks are living in the sea. Some are

buried in the sand of the seabed or stuck on rocks, such as barnacles and oysters,

while others, such as cuttlefish and octopuses are swimming freely and are

skilled predators.

Yes it shines!

This cuttlefish features

luminescent

cells in the skin that

produce light by

chemical processes.

"Ilex» Todarodes sagittatus, it’ s ugly

doubles....

….of “squid” Loligo.

«Octopus» Octopus vulgaris, is considered

one of the smarter invertebrates.

are living near the coasts at rocked

bottoms.

Cuttlefish..

Greek “shells”, small treasures of Greek seas ...

"Gloss" ..edesma for connoisseurs ... so shiny ... that you think you have

painted it with varnish!!!

ECHINODERMS

Urchin, is living on rocky substrates, up to 30 meters deep, which are usually covered with shells from

shellfish or algae which are it’ s food. Eaten and due to intensive fishing, its populations have decreased

significantly.

Red starfish, Echinaster sepositus, a common species in the Mediterranean sea. It is modest and stands out easily

from the striking orange-red color.

ARTHROPODSTheir body has many microscopic

pores. Living under the water surface, adherent on rocks.

“ Lobster ”, it’ s characteristic is the two long antennae. It’ s length

typically ranges from 25 to 30 cm., while it’ s color is reddish-brown

with many yellow spots .. During the day, is hiding in crevices or holes

while at night time is coming for feeding. It is living at the bottom of

the seas, particularly preferring rocky.

LOBSTER, the Aegean Star

“Shrimp”we find it in small size, has orange color and lives in deep waters. But

when they want to breed they come into shallow waters.

FAUNAof Greek seas

Σάλπα (Sarpa salpa)

Μουρμούρα (Lithognathus

mormyrus)

Φαγγρί (Pagrus pagrus)

Λαβράκι (Dicentrarchus

labrax

Τσιπούρα (Sparus auratus)

Σμέρνα (Muraena helena)

Γλώσσα (Solea solea)

Κυνηγός (Sphyraena sphyraena)

Τόνος (Thunnus thynnus)

Συναγρίδα (Dentex dentex)

Μυλοκόπι (Croaker)

Λυθρίνι (Pagellus erythrinus)

Μπακαλιάρος (Cod)

Μπαρμπούνι (Mullus surmuletus)

Ροφός (Epinephelus marginatus)

Μουγγρί (Conger conger)

Μαγιάτικο (Seriola dumerili)

Σκουμπρί or Κολιός (Scomber japonicus)

Παλαμίδα (Sarda sarda)

Ζαργάνα (Belone belone belone),

Σαλάχι(Skates)

Γοφάρι, Temnodom

saltator, strong and fierce fish

FISHES

Αθερίνα (Atherina hepsetus),when is polished, usually sleeps.

Γόπα (Boops boops)

Κέφαλος (Mugil cephalus)

The lonely Χάνος (Serranus cabrilla)

Δράκαινα (Trachinus draco), the poisonous

Σκορπιός (Scorpaena notata)

Καλογριά (Chromis chromis)

Μελανούρι (Oblada melanura)

Σαργός (Diplodus sargus sargus)

Σπάρος (Diplodus annularis)

MARINE REPTILES

Caretta Caretta turtle

The turtle Caretta caretta is one of the seven species of marine turtles that exist worldwide. Of these only three are visiting the Mediterranean. The loggerhead is the only species of Mediterranean sea turtles

that is littering in Greece..

MARINE MAMMALStravelling with the angels of the sea

«Σταχτοδέλφινο» (Grampus griseus), the dolphin with the

white scarifications..

All dolphins have a sonar system which helps them to orient, identify their

food and communicate. A communication with codes that anyone

could easily imagine for a marine mammal. The Greek seas are privileged

to host four species of dolphins ...

The "common dolphin“ which honors with it’ s presence

most of the Greek beaches, has gray color, black and

white. «Ρινοδέλφινο», (Tursiops truncatus) the playful, funny and dapper acrobat.

«Ζωνοδέλφινο» (Stenella coeruleoalba), it took it’ s

name from the line that starts from the eye and reaches the

belly.

CETACEANSThe rest members of the company…

On Greek beaches, of course, residents are not only dolphins but and other cetaceans, which

we would like to introduce to you..

Φυσητήρας, (Physeter macrocephalus) with

the biggest brain in the animal kingdom

«Πτεροφάλαινα» ,( Balaenoptera

physalus) the fasten blackfish, some

of them have been observed in the

deep waters of southern Crete.

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)

is living in Greece. She is using long whiskers over her mouth as sense organs. Instead of external ears she has small acoustic holes.

A sea that balances our life itself, quietly but decisively.

The clear blue Greek waters hides a world of magic, mystery, with

untold beauty, with its own laws and values.

Greece…. A paint with blue background…. A sea...

1ο ∆ηµοτικό σχολείο Σητείας

1st Primary School of Sitia