Main source of this article: Bottema, S., Kopaka, K., Alexopoulos, A. 2003, The Late-Holocene vegetation history of Gavdos (Crete) in relation to long-distance pollen dispersal: the Trypiti pollen diagram0, in S. Tonkov (ed.), Aspects of Palynology and Palaeoecology. Festschrifft in honour of E. Bozilova, Sofia-Moscow, 199-212. Link to this article.
The vegetation of Gavdos is characterised by two species of juniper, lentisk and turpentine pine, the latter of which has only recently appeared. Pollen from the south of the island (lagoon of Trypiti) was analysed; the 3,000-year-old pollen showed birch and oak, species that are not present on the island today. Birch and oak are also scarce on nearby Crete. Low pollen values were also found for pine, which contrasts with the situation today. Turpentine pine is now abundant, as it is in the neighbouring part of Crete and in other areas of the eastern Mediterranean.
Scientific research on Gavdos has been conducted for over 30 years. The island’s archaeological sites have been systematically mapped, its vegetation studied, and the extent of prehistoric human influence on ecosystems investigated. This work involved various universities in Crete and foreign researchers. The vegetation study was conducted in partnership with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Gavdos lies in the Lybian Sea (25 E; 36 N) and covers a surface of 33 sq. kilometres. Two thirds of the island is covered by Neogene sediments (conglomerates, sands, marls, sandstones and marly limestones) and Quaternary sediments (Pleistocene limestones, calcareous sandstone, aeolianites, sands and sand-dunes and fossil rich sea terraces (Bottema et al, 2003).
Tectonic forces are very well visible in the rocks in the southern and western part, as the island’s position is at the subduction front, where the African tectonic plate dives below the Eurasian plate. Folded sediments and layers in an almost vertical position of the Pindos unit are exposed esp. in coastal areas, e.g. near Lakoudi beach towards the beach of Trypiti in the south. The basin of Trypiti, one of the pollen sources , is a result of tectonics and erosion; the morphology follows a natural fold in the Pindos rocks.
Archaeologists have found evidence of early colonisation of the island dating back to the 4th millennium BC. There was more recent occupation during the Bronze Age and in Greek and Roman times, continuing into the modern era. Gavdos’ position has always placed it at a maritime crossroads. There is a Venetian ruin in the north-west and various ancient authors mention Gavdos (I still need to find the sources for this). Minoan pottery is one of the archaeological treasures, mostly from the Early- and Middle Minoan periods (corresponding to the Prepalatial and Protopalatial periods).
Until the Second World War, less than 10% of the island was covered by trees. Nowadays, pine and juniper trees cover large parts of the island. In the past, juniper wood was used for building houses, and old ruins still contain intact juniper branches and prevent the ruin to deteriorate further. The main tree species are Pinus brutia, Juniperus macrocarpa and Juniperus phoenicia. Pinus grows on old agricultural terraces, and the remains of these terraces suggest that there must have been a highly developed agricultural economy in ancient times.
The protected dune landscape with the juniper trees is marked as “Kedros” on maps, but this is not related to the cedar tree. The lower shrubs are Pistacia lentiscus. I came across some carob trees in dry river valleys, but they are scarce.
foto carob
geit
Prospero Alpini in 1584
zie bergmeijer