Recording and highlighting the flora of Sikinos

The island of Sikinos, being one of the last inhabited islands in the Cyclades that  maintains significant uninhabited areas, is proposed for a study of its flora. The island  covers an area of 41,000 acres, with approximately 4,500 acres cultivated historically.  Sikinos has always had a predominantly agricultural way of life, distinguishing it from  other small islands in the Cyclades. It lacks a tradition in maritime professions, focusing instead on cultivation. The cultivable land, rocky barren landscapes, gorges, and uncultivated areas contribute to hosting characteristic flora, including  potentially many endemic species unaffected by cultivation, pesticides, road  construction, and building developments.

The main objectives of the proposal include recording the species of aromatic and endemic plants on the island and comprehensively documenting the remaining flora of Sikinos. Subsequently, identification and classification into species and subspecies will be conducted, leading to the creation of a natural herbarium. This herbarium will be showcased on the island to educate residents and visitors about the flora and the importance of biodiversity conservation. Additionally, a proposal plan for cultivating aromatic plants on the island will be developed, considering which species are native and have the best chances of thriving. The overall design of the proposed program aims at initiating this project, thus completing a significant first stage where samples will be collected,identified, and ultimately exhibited to the public in the herbarium – presenting all recognized plant species on the island along with relevant information. The herbarium exhibition is expected to take place in a classroom at the school of Sikinos, with an estimated 4,750 attendees and 22 students informed about the island’s biodiversity as potential future guardians.