LiquidSafe

PROTECTION MEASURES FOR THE ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES LIQUIDAMBAR (LIQUIDAMBAR ORIENTALIS) IN RHODES
Acronym: LiquidSafe

Within the framework of the 2nd Call for Proposals for “Actions for the Protection, Conservation and Promotion of Biodiversity”, under the thematic area Field studies of endemic, threatened and nationally significant species of Greece, funding was granted for research on the endangered species Liquidambar orientalis, locally known as hygrambari, likidambari, or zitias.

The main objective is the conservation of L. orientalis, and the project is expected to contribute to:

• Recording the population size and mapping the distribution areas of the species on the island of Rhodes.

• Assessing the genetic diversity of the populations, which is a critical factor for species viability and a key priority of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

• Establishing an ex situ genetic material bank, through the collection of seeds of the species, in order to preserve genetic diversity, enhance adaptive capacity, and protect the species from risks such as climate change or habitat destruction.

The research project has a duration of 18 months and is expected to be completed in September 2026.

The research team consists of Dr. Evangelia Avramidou, Scientific Coordinator and Principal Researcher, and Dr. Alexandra Solomou, Dr. Evangelia Korakaki, Dr. Georgios Karetsos, as well as the specialized scientific staff Ms. Nikoleta Soulioti, Mr. Georgios Mantakas, Mr. Konstantinos Kaukis, Ms. Tzenou Panagoula, and Ms. Evangelia Nisioti, all from the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”.

The team also includes Dr. Ermioni Malliarou from the Forestry Research Institute of Thessaloniki, Mr. Christos Georgiadis PhD candidate from the Department of Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Professor Panagiotis Trigas from the Agricultural University of Athens.

The project is supported by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA / OFYPEKA) within the framework of the 2nd Call “Actions for the Protection, Conservation and Promotion of Biodiversity – Field studies of endemic, threatened and nationally significant species of Greece” (Project Number: 27951, Acronym: LiquidSafe).