Combining abilities, creating synergies, enhancing performances BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY Botanical Garden of Rhodes South Aegean Region, Greece INTERREG IV C Hybrid Parks June 2013 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 3 2. Five Gardens of the Botanical Garden of Rhodes ................................... 6 2.1. Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture ............................................. 7 2.2. Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ........................................ 8 2.3. Garden of Mediterranean Flora ..................................................... 9 2.4. Garden of Mythology .................................................................. 10 2.5. Garden of Colors and Wildflowers ................................................. 10 3. Activities ........................................................................................ 12 3.1. Environmental activities .............................................................. 12 3.2. Educational activities .................................................................. 13 3.3. Research and Scientific activities .................................................. 14 3.4. Recreational activities ................................................................. 16 3.5. Local economies ........................................................................ 17 4. Action Plan - Proposals ..................................................................... 19 5. Conclusion ...................................................................................... 21 2 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 1. Introduction The Botanical Garden of Rhodes (BGoR) is situated in Rhodes inside the Plant Nursery of the South Aegean Region. BGOR is a founding member of the National Botanic Garden Network since 2010. The Nursery extends over an area of 485 acres while the BGOR occupies 96 acres. It was built during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese (1912-1945); at that time, it was used for the cultivation of vine varieties. The BGOR is located 5 km away from the city of Rhodes and 17 km away from the airport of Rhodes. BGOR hosts a variety of species and its primary objective is the preservation and promotion of biodiversity of one or more types of vegetation. It is a model Botanical Garden, unique in Greece but also in the Mediterranean as well. BGOR will be open all year round, during the winter being used for educational purposes and in the summer providing a sightseeing venue for both Greek and foreign visitors to have guided tours in the form of environmental education. In order to be financially viable, the purposes of the Botanical Garden in Rhodes are diverse. More analytically we can focus on the following: • Increasing the knowledge and awareness of the general public on a large number of species of the Mediterranean flora and varieties (local and other) of Mediterranean agriculture. • Creating a Plant Propagating Material Bank • The collection and effective protection of plant genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity in the Region. • Safeguarding plant species which are endangered or rare or endemic. • The creation of environmental awareness of visitors, especially young people (pupils, students). • The provision of education to special groups (students of biology, agriculture, agronomy, farmers, etc.). 3 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes • The creation of green spaces and recreation within walking distance from the city of Rhodes. • The aesthetic improvement of the area. • Creating a popular attraction for all seasons, as there will always be blooming plants, fruit trees or shrubs, aromatic brushwood etc. • Organization of recreational activities. • The economic exploitation of the Garden by creating an additional tourist resource in the tourist island of Rhodes is expected to generate additional economic benefits to the local community as well as the creation of new jobs. Picture 1: The Nursery of the Prefecture of Dodecanese in Rhodes Picture 2: The area of the Rhodes Botanical Garden 4 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes Significance In order to facilitate the implementation of the BGOR, the Prefecture of Dodecanese acquired a highly valuable collection of material concerning the wildflowers, the medicinal and aromatic plants, the brushwood, the tree crops and the vineyards of the Aegean region. Such a collection is unique in Greece and more generally in the Mediterranean area. Facilities The BGOR provides different kinds of facilities: • Glass greenhouses (2,5 acres) • Soil and plant laboratory • Training center DIMITRA • Vineyard (120 acres) • Two drillings • Parking area (10 acres) • Breeding pens for partridge and peasant. 5 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 2. Five Gardens of the Botanical Garden of Rhodes The BGOR is comprised of five different gardens: ♦ The Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture ♦ The Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ♦ The Garden of Mediterranean Flora ♦ The Garden of Mythology ♦ The Garden of Colors and Wildflowers. Furthermore, the BGOR will be enriched with two more types of gardens: the rose garden of ornamental plants and the garden of tropical and aquatic plants. Picture 3: The layout of the Rhodes Botanical Garden 6 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 2.1. Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture The Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture aims to the preservation of tree varieties which contributed in a great part to the economic life of the islands of the Aegean, Greece and the Mediterranean area generally. The ecological diversity that each region of Greece presents due to climatic, soil and hydrological conditions, determined the cultivation of certain varieties that were adapted to these conditions, while the residents had developed corresponding cultivation tasks and activities. These practices were much less energy-intensive due to the absence of fertilizers, pesticides and water consumption. The preservation of this kind of cultivation practices and the types of varieties is of great significance. Towards this direction, the Garden functions as an experimentation center for the development of new varieties. The trees that have been planted in the Garden are citrus trees and bosky cultivations: Plum trees, pomegranates, walnuts, pear trees, mulberries, wild plum trees, peach trees, loquats, almond trees, quince trees, cherry trees, pear trees, olive trees, citrus trees, figs, pistachio trees, apple trees, hazels, persimmons as well as vine varieties which were cultivated and are still cultivated nowadays mainly in the Aegean islands. Special emphasis is given to olive trees, figs and vine plants which were the main agricultural activity for decades in the past in Rhodes. The purpose of the Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture is the collection and the effective protection of plant genetic resources and 7 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes agricultural biodiversity of Greece in the context of emerging dangerous genetic erosion that characterizes the post-war period. The main objective of this action, besides the creation of a "bank of propagule”, is to point out the need to preserve a valuable biogenetic material which is about to be lost to the public and the youth people. Through the demonstration of local varieties and the diagnosis of their biological advantages and characteristics, a significant portion of the population will be sensitized which will have practical results. 2.2. Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants In Greece, and especially in the islands of the Aegean, the medicinal and aromatic plants like thyme, oregano, mint, lavender, sage and the "mountain tea" abound. The Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants hosts innumerable species of Aegean aromatic flora. The planted plants are perennial and woody. Priority has been given to those which contain large amounts of essential oils (fragrances). It should be taken into account that during the summer, the aromatic plants release increased amounts of essential oils in the atmosphere allowing visitors to wander in an aromatic garden. The objectives of this garden are: ♦ The collection of species and varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants from the islands of the Aegean which will be unique in Greece. ♦ Visitors (scientists, students, tourists, etc.) will have the opportunity to observe and study most of the medicinal and aromatic plants of the Aegean, all collected in one location. ♦ Acquaintance with these plants that play a significant role in perfumery, pharmacy, distillery, cooking, beekeeping, gardening where their use was widespread in prehistoric 8 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes times. These species have been inextricably connected to Greek tradition, mythology and history. ♦ Cultivation and control of the productive capacity of selected varieties in abandoned agricultural land. Some of the aromatic and medicinal herbs that grow in the Garden are: thyme, oregano, sage, mint, marjoram, rosemary, savory, lavender, burning bush, capers, lemon balm, lily, crocus, mountain tea, wild carnations, mullein, fennel, lupine, wild rose, etc. Special emphasis has been given to species and varieties of plants and herbs of Rhodes. 2.3. Garden of Mediterranean Flora In Greece the plant species are about 6.000 of which about 2.000 are endemic. This