Alternative development and biodiversity conservation: Two case studies from Greece

The Mediterranean has long been plagued by unsustainable development associated with conventional tourism. Valuable coastal and marine ecosystems have been destroyed to accommodate marinas, seaside hotels and recreational activities at sites which are important habitats for Mediterranean fauna and flora. An alternative to this model of tourist development has begun to emerge in the form of ecotourism: sites with important biological diversity have become organized to accommodate nature-seeking tourists, orienting them to the specific interests of the areas. These sites provide a lower level of tourist accommodation and services which is, however, compensated by the outstanding beauty and interest of the areas.

In Greece, two such cases developed to a large extent around protected areas. In the Prespa lakes of northwestern Greece, a National Park and Ramsar site has been designated because of the rich biodiversity of the site. Particularly known for the spectacular colonies of Dalmatian pelicans, which are a world-wide endangered species, the area is a rich mosaic of lakes, forests, and rural landscape. The second site is the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli forest reserve in northeastern Greece, on the border of the river Evros. Also designated a protected area, the forest reserve is the habitat of many species of raptors, including the Black vulture, the Griffon vulture, eagles, owls as well as a rich variety of amphibians and reptiles. A characteristic of both sites is the relatively low level of development compared to other areas of Greece. The adjacent population is mainly concerned with fishing, farming, timber production or livestock and there is a lack of basic services such as hospitals, schools, or commercial activities.

In both sites, conservation bodies followed the initial identification of the scientific importance by investments in public awareness, education and basic conservation activities. In time, these investments attracted visitors, who were able to appreciate the significance of the areas through the information provided by the local conservation projects. The local people were able to acquire additional income by providing food, accommodation, and interpretation services, and additional funds were provided by government and international agencies. During the past seven years, significant alternative income that has been generated at these sites, due in large part to the attention that has been paid to highlight their conservation value and to make this information accessible to ordinary visitors. It is important to ensure the sustainability of such income, through the creation of jobs and infrastructure which can continue to provide access to these sites and contribute to their conservation in the future.