Forests of Greece, Their Multiple Functions and Uses, Sustainable Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Face of Climate Change

This is a review paper based on national and international literature, national inventories and empirical approach. A general overview of the forests, forest management and forest biodiversity of Greece are briefly summarized. The distribution of the main forest species and their ecosystems in the Geographic regions of Greece is presented in a tabular form. Their multiple functions and uses, their management type/regime, their risks and threats, protection and conservation measures are also synoptically described. Furthermore, adaptive forest management and silviculture as well as management of genetic diversity in order to face climate change are also analysed. Research priority areas on biodiversity and challenges for biodiversity research and related policy in Greece have been summarized. The new Rural Development Program (2014-2020), which is currently in the final phase of implementation, will take into consideration the forest itself and forest-related European and National legal obligations. Finally, major conclusions and research priority areas on future management and conservation of forests are highlighted.

Analyzing the Relation between Greek Paper and Paperboard Imports and Exports with Macroeconomic Variables

This paper describes the relation between Greek imports and exports of paper and paperboard and a number of major macroeconomic variables, such as population, gross domestic product, the industrial production index and domestic round wood production. The Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were employed in the analysis of the data. The study shows that there is no significant relation between paper and paperboard imports as a dependent variable and population, gross domestic product and domestic round wood production as independent variables. Despite this, an acceptable model is constructed using only gross domestic product as an independent variable. The study also shows that there is a significant relation between the export of paper and paperboard and gross domestic product, the industrial production index and round wood production. The results indicate that gross domestic product as an independent variable has the greatest effect on wood imports and exports in Greece during the period studied. Using these models is confirmed that the use of socioeconomic variables and the construction of future scenarios for the Greek forest sector is very efficient considering the special characteristics of the Greek economy. These models could help the establishment of economic growth, the reduction of the financial and ecological deficit, the implementation of economic reforms and to increase new investments.