Ioannis Bazos

Assessing bee species richness in two Mediterranean communities: importance of habitat type and sampling techniques

The decline of bees has raised concerns regarding their conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services they provide to bee-pollinated wild flowers and crops. Although the Mediterranean region is a hotspot for bee species richness, their status remains poorly studied. There is an urgent need for cost-effective, reliable, and unbiased sampling methods that give good bee species richness estimates. This study aims: (a) to assess bee species richness in two common Mediterranean habitat types: semi-natural scrub (phrygana) and managed olive groves; (b) to compare species richness in those systems to that of other biogeographic regions, and (c) to assess whether six different sampling methods (pan traps, variable and standardized transect walks, observation plots and trap nests), previously tested in other European biogeographic regions, are suitable in Mediterranean communities. Eight study sites, four per habitat type, were selected on the island of Lesvos, Greece. The species richness observed was high compared to other habitat types worldwide for which comparable data exist. Pan traps collected the highest proportion of the total bee species richness across all methods at the scale of a study site. Variable and standardized transect walks detected the highest total richness over all eight study sites. Trap nests and observation plots detected only a limited fraction of the bee species richness. To assess the total bee species richness in bee diversity hotspots, such as the studied habitats, we suggest a combination of transect walks conducted by trained bee collectors and pan trap sampling.

Contribution to the study of the flora and vegetation of the Kithira island group: Offshore islets of Kithira (S Aegean, Greece)

Abstract Panitsa, M., Bazos, I., Dimopoulos, P., Zervou, S., Yannitsaros, A. & Tzanoudakis, D.: Contribution to the study of the flora and vegetation of the Kithira island group: Offshore islets of Kithira (S Aegean, Greece). — Willdenowia 34: 101–115. — ISSN 0511-9618;

Seven recommendations to make your invasive alien species data more useful

Science-based strategies to tackle biological invasions depend on recent, accurate, well-documented, standardised and openly accessible information on alien species. Currently and historically, biodiversity data are scattered in numerous disconnected data silos that lack interoperability. The situation is no different for alien species data, and this obstructs efficient retrieval, combination, and use of these kinds of information for research and policy-making. Standardization and interoperability are particularly important as many alien species related research and policy activities require pooling data. We describe seven ways that data on alien species can be made more accessible and useful: 1) Create data management plans; 2) Increase interoperability of information sources; 3) Document data through metadata; 4) Format data using existing standards; 5) Adopt controlled vocabularies; 6) Increase data availability; and 7) Ensure long-term data preservation. We identify four properties specific and integral to alien species data (species status, introduction pathway, degree of establishment, and impact mechanism) that are either missing from existing data standards or lack a recommended controlled vocabulary. Improved access to accurate, real-time and historical data will repay the long-term investment in data management infrastructure, by providing more accurate, timely and realistic analyses. If we improve core biodiversity data standards by developing their relevance to alien species, it will allow the automation of common activities regarding data processing in support of environmental policy. Furthermore, we call for considerable effort to maintain, update, standardise, archive, and aggregate datasets, to ensure proper valorisation of alien species data and information before they become obsolete or lost.

New information on the status and distribution of Callitriche pulchra (Plantaginaceae), including a first record from Cyprus

Abstract: New information has extended the known range of Callitriche pulchra Schotsm. (Plantaginaceae) to Cyprus. This, combined with a survey of populations on the island of Gavdos off the S coast of Crete, shows that it is less threatened than previously thought. Updated information is presented here on the distribution, status and ecology of this species. Citation: Lansdown R. V., Kefalas K. & Bazos I. 2016: New information on the status and distribution of Callitriche pulchra (Plantaginaceae), including a first record from Cyprus. — Willdenowia 46: 379–385. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46306 Version of record first published online on 3 November 2016 ahead of inclusion in December 2016 issue.