Information on the Atlas Project | Atlas of the Mammals of Greece

Importance of the Project

The creation of the Atlas of the Mammals of Greece serves multiple essential purposes. It involves the collection, evaluation, and organization of available data and records for Greek mammals. It contributes to maintaining official national and global lists and databases, effectively managing species and habitats, and promoting environmental and ecological awareness while providing free access to this invaluable resource.

Beyond our national efforts, we take pride in collaborating with the Atlas of European Mammals, a parallel initiative under the auspices of the European Mammal Foundation (https://www.european-mammals.org), focusing on the distribution mapping of mammals in Europe. Data collection by prominent European researchers will continue until the end of 2023. Moreover, the ongoing update of the Atlas of European Mammals served as the catalyst for the creation of the Atlas of the Mammals of Greece. By contributing to both projects, we achieve a comprehensive understanding of mammal distribution, ensuring the conservation of these species not only in Greece but across the entire European continent.

The Atlas Coordination Team

This project would not have been possible without the dedication of the coordination team, consisting of Dr. Georgios Mitsainas, Dr. Petros Lymberakis, Dr. Dionysios Gioulatos, Dr. Georgios Papamichail, Dr. Antonia Galanaki, and Mr. Theodoros Kominos. The significant contribution of Ms. Eleni Rekouti, who handled all aspects of project support (communication with data providers, data formatting, preparation, and data entry into the Atlas database, among others), was pivotal. We also acknowledge the contributions of Ms. Katerina Petkidi and Mr. Konstantinos Skarlatos (www.pelagus.gr), whose collaboration resulted in the species maps and the online platform of the Atlas, which you are currently exploring.

Methodology

Data entry follows the globally recognized Darwin Core Standard (https://dwc.tdwg.org/), providing a structured platform for recording essential information for each mammal species. This includes taxonomic classification, geographic location, other characteristics of records, ecological features, and more. The adoption of this standard ensures consistency and future compatibility of our data with other global biodiversity databases.

During the data collection process, a clear distinction was made between bibliographic data and original data using different data entry forms. Subsequently, data from these forms were imported into a database in an MS Access environment, designed from scratch for our Atlas’ purposes.

Literature data included information derived from existing scientific publications, reports, and studies. The extraction of these data was carried out by members of the project's coordination team. On the other hand, for the collection of original data, we received contributions from over 25 Greek specialists in mammals. Original data from scientific museum collections, such as the Natural History Museum of Crete, the Zoological Museum of the University of Patras, and the Museum Alexander Koenig Bonn, were also included. All incoming records underwent thorough vetting and validation and were finally incorporated into the Atlas database.

The Atlas Database

The database comprises a total of 28,900 records (last update: Sept. 2023), of mammals across Greece. These records are divided into 18,352 original and 10,548 bibliographic records.

Online Platform

On the online platform you are currently using, accessible through the website of the Hellenic Zoological Society (https://www.hzoos.gr), distribution maps of Greek mammal species are presented based on the extraction of relevant data from the Atlas database. You can explore the geographic distribution of each species in grids of 10 x 10 km cells by selecting 'Species Maps' on the right and then choosing the species of your interest.

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all who have contributed to our efforts, including data providers, specialists, researchers, and citizens who share a deep love for nature, conservation, and the promotion of our national biodiversity. We also thank the staff of the Green Fund for their substantial support throughout this endeavor.

The effort continues!

As we move forward, we invite you to continue supporting us or join us in our ongoing endeavor to enrich the Atlas of the Mammals of Greece with new data. Whether you are a scientist, researcher, or a nature enthusiast, your participation is essential to ensure that this resource remains up-to-date and continues to benefit conservation efforts, scientific research, and environmental education.

Thank you for your support, and together, we can continue to build a comprehensive and accessible repository of Greece's rich mammalian diversity. Please contact us (atlasmammals@hzoos.gr) to find out how you can contribute to our Atlas of the mammals of Greece.

On behalf of the Atlas Coordination Team,

George P. Mitsainas

Catalogue of original datasets

A.Christopoulos (1997-2021).Martes.foina.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

A.Christopoulos (1997-2022).Erinaceus.roumanicus.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

A.Christopoulos (1997-2022).Vulpes.vulpes.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

A.Christopoulos (2005-).Small.mammal.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

A.Christopoulos (2005-2019).Lutra.lutra.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

A.Christopoulos (2006-2019).Capreolus.capreolus.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

A.Christopoulos (2006-2019).Felis.silvestris.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

C.Astaras (2021): Small.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

D.L. Rammou (2021): Spermophilus.citellus.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

D.Migli (2007-2022).Felis.silvestris.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

D.Youlatos (2007-2021).Small.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

G. Mitsainas (1992-): Personal.Mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

G.Papamichael (1996-2006).Small.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

G.Papamichael (2020-2021).Small.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

H. Alivizatos (2022): Mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

I.Salvarina.et.al. (2019-2021).unpublished.data.bats.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

I.Salvarina.et.al. (2021).unpublished.data.bats.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

I.Theodoropoulos (2005-2020).Lutra.lutra.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

I.Theodoropoulos (2017).Small.Mammal.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Management Body Axios - Loudias - Aliakmonas (2008-2016): Management.Body.Axios.Loudias.Aliakmonas.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Management Body of Parnon, Moustos, Mainalon & Monemvasia (2013-2015): Management.Body.Parnon.Moustos.Mainalon.Monemvasia.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Management Unit of Rodopi Mts. (2022): Ursus.arctos.records.2010-2015.EPPERAA.2007-2013.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

N.Kiamos (1990-2019).owl.pellets.records.NHMC.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

National monitoring (EPPERAA) (2014-2015): National.monitoring.EPPERAA.2014_2015.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

National monitoring (EPPERAA) (2014-2015): National.monitoring.EPPERAA.2014_2015.supplementary.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Samaria National Park Management Body (2015): Small.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

V.Bontzorlos (2003-2005).Small.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Y.G.Zevgolis (2015-2018).Naxos.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Y.G.Zevgolis (2015-2020).Lesvos.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

Y.G.Zevgolis (2015-2021).Sciurus.anomalus.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY

ZFMK (1943-1997): Greek.mammals.records.Atlas.dataset.v1. Copyright: CC-BY