GR
Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard
Threatened
39
CR + EN + VU
Critically Endangered
39
CR
Endemic Threatened
0
Found only here
Declining
0%
0 species
Distribution of 39 threatened species
Threatened % by group
No threat data available
0 endemic threatened species found only here
CONSERVATION LEADERS
Key Conservation Organisations
ANIMA
Independent Greek NGO
Wildlife rehabilitation and protection
Operating wildlife rescue centers and advocating for wildlife protection legislation in Greece.
Visit websiteARCHELON
Independent Greek NGO
Sea turtle conservation
Protecting loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches and conducting rescue operations for over 40 years.
Visit websiteHellenic Ornithological Society
BirdLife International partner
Bird conservation and research
Leading bird monitoring programs and Important Bird Area identification across Greece.
Visit websiteMOm - Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal
Independent Greek NGO
Mediterranean monk seal conservation
Leading research and protection efforts for the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal in Greek waters.
Visit websiteWWF Greece
WWF International
Wildlife and habitat conservation
Conservation of Mediterranean monk seals, brown bears, and marine protected areas in Greek waters.
Visit websiteNotable Conservationists
Alexandros Karamanlidis
MOm and IUCN Bear & Canids Specialist Group
Marine mammal conservation
Leading researcher on Mediterranean monk seals and brown bear conservation in the Balkans.
Dimitris Vasilakis
Hellenic Ornithological Society
Ornithology and bird conservation
Extensive research on Greek bird populations and migration patterns, contributing to national bird atlases.
Kostas Papaconstantinou
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
Marine biology and fisheries
Research on Mediterranean fish populations and sustainable fisheries management in Greek waters.
Yiannis Kazantzidis
University of Thessaly
Wetland ecology and waterbird conservation
Research on Greek wetland ecosystems and waterbird populations, particularly in northern Greece.
Source: Public records, institutional websites, published research
Outlook: Deteriorating
Greece's biodiversity reflects its position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, encompassing Mediterranean ecosystems, Aegean archipelagos, and continental mountain ranges. The country hosts approximately 6,000 plant species and diverse fauna across its mainland mountains, coastal wetlands, and over 6,000 islands and islets. However, the current assessment reveals an alarming situation: all 39 species evaluated are critically endangered, representing 100% threat levels across birds, insects, other invertebrates, and molluscs (IUCN Red List 2025). Greece's island ecosystems face particular vulnerability due to habitat fragmentation and limited population sizes. The Aegean islands support numerous endemic species that evolved in isolation, making them especially susceptible to extinction. Coastal development along Greece's extensive 13,676-kilometer coastline threatens marine and terrestrial interface zones. Agricultural intensification in fertile plains impacts traditional farming landscapes that historically supported diverse species assemblages. Climate change exacerbates existing pressures, with rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns affecting Mediterranean vegetation zones and alpine species in the Pindus and other mountain ranges. Tourism pressure, while economically vital, creates additional stress on fragile ecosystems, particularly during peak seasons. The concentration of critically endangered status across all assessed taxonomic groups suggests systematic environmental pressures requiring immediate, comprehensive conservation intervention to prevent irreversible biodiversity loss.
Key Biomes & Ecosystems
Conservation Achievements
Greece participates in the European Union's Natura 2000 network, protecting approximately 27% of its territory through Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. The country has established national parks including Mount Olympus and Parnassos, while marine protected areas safeguard critical coastal habitats. Recent initiatives focus on restoring traditional agricultural practices that support biodiversity, particularly in olive grove management. However, given that 100% of assessed species are critically endangered, current conservation measures appear insufficient to address the scale of biodiversity crisis, indicating need for enhanced protection strategies and increased implementation effectiveness.
Source: IUCN Red List 2025-2, GBIF, national survey data