Summer University of Samothraki 2016: Snapshots

An Experience in Transdisciplinarity...on Samothraki
End of July 2016

This mid-July HCMR participated and co-organized the third university summer school in Samothraki. Two different courses where taught. Ours, Course A, promoted aquatic ecology and social ecology and was supported by Professors from Austrian, Canadian, German, Spanish and Greek Universities. The course was designed as a 2-week excursion to Samothraki with the aim to learn and apply ecology and social ecology approaches in a local island setting we know well. The effort aimed at supporting current research and building synergy with the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and protected area design process. The course gave students the opportunity to engage in real-life research actions and utilize their scientific training to support specific conservation-relevant investigations. Some of these investigations have been ongoing during the last decade or longer. This provided students with the experience of participating in a transdisciplinary research process, being exposed to a search for solutions for natural history interpretation, sustainability and development challenges, and learning to interact with stakeholders in a culturally challenging environment.

Course A hosted 25 students and several experienced professors and tutors. Course B focused on the biosphere reserve designation management and related issues and had about 30 students and some distinguished teachers as well. Organizing and undertaking this was a challenge and a great learning experience for the organizers and teaching staff as well. 

Here I share some raw thoughts about the experience from my personal experience. The snapshots that follow do not cover all activities and sub-project works and do not do justice to the breadth and richness of the two courses.

Some thoughts:

- I was really impressed with the high level of academic excellence, professionalism and integrity of the professors and supportive staff. Having worked in study abroad programs for several years and having done a great deal of natural history teaching and eco-guiding I found this assemblage of professionals to be of very high caliber. This produced a great teaching environment and a wonderful collaboration.

- The program had a high degree of flexibility and recreation. Although our course was ambitious: 8 modules with specific research sub-project actions - this was done at varied and shifting pace with fairly relaxed breaks for all to enjoy. In July, the island is a mecca for Greek youth who come here to camp, dance, and party. So this necessarily becomes part of the activity. It is possible to combine both work and play.

- Samothraki is well suited for a Summer University enterprise. Within the span of one small island we did everything from technical counting of goats, overgrazing assessments, landscape quality research, waste/garbage research, stream ecology,  water management studies, marine biology, natural history walking, riparian surveys and various interdisciplinary cultural approaches as well. Students were really motivated to research specific aspects and these were all presented in excellent PPT presentations on the final day. 

-Samothraki Camp at Therma and the HATHEY organization was really excellent in providing support and the central geographical situation was excellent. Under huge Oriental Planes and next to a wonderful cobble beach the camp is an excellent place to meet people, relax, discuss, and work on dead-line driven research presentations. In my experience of travelling in the Greek islands for three decades now I know of no other situation which could suit a summer university housing facility better. 

-The local government was very supportive and a small cadre of local and expat professionals and nature-lovers were very supportive. (And they have been during the last few years during our academic developments on the island). On Wednesday 20/7 a selection of our scientists presented some of our findings at the cultural centre at Chora (Marina Fischer-Kowalski, Michael Skoulos, Panos Petridis, Nikos Skoulikidis and myself). This "communication event" in an open public meeting was a good thing (and proves a deep connection to the local government and the Mayor's support for a "protected area" on the island). 

- The success of this activity is largely based on the many years of work and research done by Marina Fischer-Kowalski's team and the grounding given by Nikos Skoulikidis as well. Both of them have spent over 20 years visiting the island and this shows. This kind of ground-work lays the foundations for a successful academic organization. 

 Some links:

http://sustainable-samothraki.net/activity/summer-university-2016/

Summer University Samothraki Outline

https://www.facebook.com/koinsepzathay/

Guided by Prof. Michael Skoulos and friends in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods.

Meander and Oleander from the Sanctuary of the Great Gods.

Prof. Michael Skoulos interprets an ancient column in the Course B field trip.

Discussing river ecology at the Fonias Stream with Course B.

Biodiversity everywhere: A Grass Snake Natrix natrix at Fonias.

Course B breaks for a swim at Fonias stream.

Vassiliki contributed through her PhD protocol in landscape assessment - here at the school house in Therma.

Fantastic for vegetation studies: Dunes with Vitex agnus-castus  and Oak-Terabinth woodland at Pachia Ammos. 

Prof. Panayotis Dimopoulos of University of Patras and Course A students deep in landscape work at Panayia Krimniotissa.

Vassiliki, Selim, Hakan and Elias assessing inspiring landscapes - on road to Kipos.

A gathering of 16 scientists and supporting staff discussing the drafting of a conference statement at the modern conference facility of the Phidelio Cultural Center.

Professor Marina Fischer-Kowalski (at R) discusses grazing issues with Tamara and Yorgos at the school house.

Valonia Oak dehesa-like stands in the grain-fields on the western part of the Island.

The western part of the island has a water stress problem: the proposal for a dam at Ksirpotamos may not solve it. 

Prof. Nuria Bonada talking on Mediterranean streams: a global synthesis. 

The landscape of the village of Lakoma: Vassiliki and field team.

Maria Salomidi, expert marine biologist from HCMR teaches in the small crowded schoolhouse.

Cinematographer Armin of the documentary production team and organizing supporters: Panos Petridis, Angelos Varvarousis, Nikos Skoulikidis and Professor Ierotheos Zacharias at the school house in Therma.

On the tourist ship "Theodora". Round-island tour: rounding the southwestern cape with a view towards Pachia Ammos.

The lush and verdant north coast near the Therma campsite.

The unique cobble spit of Agios Andreas, westernmost point on the island.

One of the Eastern Med's rarest seabirds, the Audouin's Gull. Singles seen at least at five locations along coast. 

Scholars, mentors, friends: Nikos Skoulikidis and Klement Tockner.

The Theodora landing at the desolate Katarti Beach on the southern coast of the island.

Entering the small bay of Katarti Beach. Note sheet erosion and severe overgrazing above coast.

The Theodora landing at Katarti Beach on the southern coast of the island.

Amazing view of Vatos river-mouth on cliff-path in sothern part of island.

The amazing cliff-walk from Pachia Ammos to Vatos (I walked it on my own...this is not for the faint-hearted - and a foolish act when hiked alone...). 

Good friends in the Vatos river bed: Professor Simron Singh at L.

One of the most threatened landscapes on the island: Pachia Ammos.

Tourism venture half-built at Pachia Ammos.  Could this be the beginnig of the end of wilderness?

Harvest of Terebinths and Pubescent Oaks at Pachia Ammos: is it sustainable?

The island's most threatened wetland: Agios Nikolaos Lagoon (next to Agios Andreas lagoon) near Kamariotissa.

On of the island's 20+ important wetlands: Vdelolimni on the north coast.

Amazing Pubescent Oak wood at Vdelolimni... but no regeneration due to livestock overgrazing.

Sunset with sea-side Alders at Vdelolimni wetland.

Samothraki has dual conservation designation within the EU Natura 2000 protected area network (reflecting both its value for natural habitat types and fauna and its birdlife). In the coming years we hope this designation will mature to a full-fledged protected area enacted by the Greek State. This will happen after the completion of a Special Environmental Study and Management Plan for the island's protected area. Of course the island is now still vulnerable to various ideas for development projects (ranging from a water abstraction zombie project at Ksiropotamos to three wind-park proposals in the mountains). Scientific research may help Samothraki, its magnetic nature and wonderful cultural fabric.

Samothraki Nature Observatory: Trek through the wilderness

Samothraki Nature Observatory: Trek through the wilderness

Late July 2015. 

The HCMR workers and friends finally did a trek to an area that we always wanted to explore (and obtain water samples, bug samples, vegetation data etc.). The upland transect across the mountain from the Fonias Valley to Vatos. 

I highly recommend a trek like this so I post our itinerary. Of course we may have detoured a bit to get our samples from springs and streams and scenic views etc, so maybe this itinerary should be modified to make an ecotouristic trek less challenging. However, the trek does need a knowledgeable local guide since 90% is off-trail and in difficult conditions. The trek is approximately 20 Km long starting at the road's end at 750 m and reaching a height of about 1350 m. and descending to sea level at Vatos Beach. Two nights minimum must be spent in the field and water is taken from springs and clean streams. 

Stars denote places where we overnighted: Upper Fonias and Lagdistres. The route (in Red) is charted by approximation on this Google Earth image.

Here is a summary and some snapshots: 

Day one: 19:00-21:30.  Trailhead from near Koufouklio peak (c. 750 m) reached by truck (up the zig-zag road). Then took path (well-marked) to "Karya" – near the upper part of the Fonias Valley. Camped at small make-shift free camp sites riparian forest next to river. Slept under stars, most without tent. Warm.

Day two: First part. 05:30 to 14:00. Walk up left major tributary of the upper Fonias towards Louloudi Peak. Veer left off river corridor up goat tracks in a funnel-shaped cone beneath the peak. VERY Steep, no trail, hands-to-rocks conditions - could be dangerous. Finally came out to rocky ridge immediately East of Louloudi after spring (about 1350 m asl). Ascent to granite-like boulder crest. Descent to col between the Fonias and Ghiali valleys. Three huge rounded ganite boulders (the "Kafanedes") mark the spot of descent into the Ghiali Valley (veer Left). Descent left to main stem of Gialli aiming for characteristic rock formation far in the gorge, way far below. Finally meet river with deep pools and perennial tributary coming in from L. Continue into gorge to a huge deep pool just before gorge becomes impassible. Rest here.

Day two:Second part. 22:00 – 23:00 (under full-moon). Hike into oak and Montpelier Maple forest up to col of Kotzamanis Peak (Right of the Peak) at a moonscape site called “Lagdistres” (at about 800 m). Sleep here. All without tents. Warm.

Day three: 07:00 – 11:30. Leave Lagdistres to descend to Agia Thekla spring (nearby, c. 30 mins.). Inspect traditional shepherd’s hut (one of two or so found on the mountain). Spring with great cold water. Later in about ’15 meet Kresmastos Stream. Continue on westwards through open landscape (almost like Crete hear...). Phrygana and plantlife with northern Aegean flora. Encounter rare plant community of Peucedanum longifolium. Descend down towards Ksydni area. There is a large Platanus grove on the slope. Then a view of Vatos beach. Descent veering towards L. Rest and swim at beach. Take water from upper part of pool in the cobble channel (springs in river cobble and gravels). Catch the tourist boat back to Therma (if it is not too windy). We were lucky and caught the boat at 17:00.

The Samothraki Nature Observatory research team members included Nikos, Yiota, Natalia, Anastasia, Vassiliki and myself. We were accompanied by many friends and supporters of the cause. We thank Phillipos, Yannis, Vaios, Marios and all who participated. The snapshots I post are only a small part of the material collected. A wonderful experience, but not to be taken lightly.

Day 1. Near trail head at about 800 m. Descending into Fonias Upper Valley.

Camp at Fonias.

Bedrock pool below Louloudi.

Day 2. Early morning in the Western tributary stream of Fonias - only Alder in the riparian here.

Team leader, Nikos, at the begining of the second day.

Early morning in the Western tributary stream of Fonias - only Alder in the riparian here.

Above the tributary.

Athletic training shoes should not be worn in these slippery granite slides.

Rest stop with Nikos in the steep bedrock valley below Louloudi.

Up Louloudi.

Perrenial spring at about 1300 m. or so.  Louloudi.

Campanula.on Louloudi.

Fonias on L and Ghiali on R. Granitic rocks.

Rounded boulders known as "Kafenedes" at the col above Ghiali. 

Ghiali valley with maple and Alder. And a huge raging stream.

Day 3. Goatherd shelter at Agia Thekla. 

The stream of Kremasta. Alder woods. 

Collecting bugs at Kresmasta.

Rare plants and rock formations.

These are called Peucedanum longifolium. 

Descent in the windy slopes - much like Crete here...

After a short stop in a Plane tree grove. Refreshing!

Steep descent after the Plane trees.  No trail. Northern Montane Phrygana.

Vatos Beach from Above.

Vatos Beach from the boat that takes you back to civilization.