Parnitha Field Trip

A field-trip to mount Parnitha was organized for students of grades 11 & 12 on October, 5. Although Parnitha is a National Park and a number of sites are protected under the EU Natura 2000 directive, a large part of the forest had been burned in the summer of 2007. Some areas have been re-afforested, especially areas with the endemic Cephallonian fir, but others have been left to regenerate. Students used a variety of techniques form ecology and chemistry to comparatively analyse the ecosystem between such areas and the old-growth forest. A presentation regarding the extremely rich biodiversity of Parnitha and the multitude of endemic species that live there was given at the Acharnon Hiking Lodge, where students had also an opportunity to enjoy themselves playing outdoor games.