The disappearance of Chara hellenica (Characeae) from the only one known locality, Lake Bertonou in Corfu (Greece)

A critical loss to Mediterranean aquatic biodiversity has been documented with the disappearance of Chara hellenica, a rare species of stonewort, from its sole known habitat—Lake Bertonou in Corfu, Greece. This extinction marks the first confirmed disappearance of a charophyte species in the region, raising concerns about the vulnerability of such freshwater ecosystems to environmental pressures. The study employed historical ecological data and field surveys to track the species' absence, highlighting gaps in long-term monitoring that hinder conservation efforts. Findings underscore the urgent need for targeted research and protection measures to prevent further losses of endemic flora in UNESCO-listed sites like Corfu's Old Town.

(Ed.). (2017). The disappearance of Chara hellenica (Characeae) from the only one known locality, Lake Bertonou in Corfu (Greece). Flora Mediterranea, 27. https://doi.org/10.7320/flmedit27.111