Assessing the Ecosystem Services Potential of Endemic Floras: A Systematic Review on the Greek Endemics of Peloponnese

Alexian Cheminal, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, Anastasios Zotos, Arne Strid and Panayotis Dimopoulos
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Alexian Cheminal: Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Ioannis P. Kokkoris: Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Anastasios Zotos: Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, University of Patras, Nea Ktiria, 30200 Mesolonghi, Greece
Arne Strid: 4 Bakkevej 6, DK-5853 Ørbæk, Denmark
Panayotis Dimopoulos: Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-26

Abstract: As the interest in new, natural, sustainable products arises in many fields, wild plants are reconsidered as providers of traditional or innovative applications. The notion of ecosystem services (ES) provides a frame to evaluate their benefits, but is still scarcely applied to endemic floras. The present study reviews the available literature on the ES provided by the 494 taxa endemic to Greece that are present in Peloponnese. Six main categories are isolated: medical, aromatic, folk medicine, antimicrobial, environmental and craftsmanship interests. The literature documents such ES for 24.7% of the endemic taxa, with Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Boraginaceae as the families with the highest numbers of documented taxa. Spatial hotspots with a high density in taxa providing ES are mapped, while gaps of knowledge on the ES of endemic taxa are highlighted. For the first time, to our knowledge, taxonomic and phylogenetic bounds between taxa are exploited as a base to explore potential properties for endemic taxa. The basis for the development of predictive tools utilizing literature review datasets is set. Final outcomes also provide robust scientific evidence to support decision and policy making for the sustainable use and management of rural areas. The development of cultivation areas for threatened taxa of interest is suggested as a potent conservation measure, by selecting fields according to habitat suitability models.

Keywords: biodiversity management; Greek flora; knowledge gaps; MAIA H2020 project; MAES implementation; decision making; sustainable rural management; medicinal plants; aromatic plants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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