The Plant Diversity of Cultural Habitat Islands: Aspects of the Flora of the Mystras UNESCO World Heritage Site (Greece)

Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece's Peloponnese, harbors remarkable plant diversity with 321 vascular taxa identified, including 14 Greek and seven Balkan endemics. The flora is dominated by Mediterranean species, ruderals, and therophytes, reflecting its disturbance-adapted ecological conditions. Comparisons with other archaeological sites in the region revealed Mystras' high α-diversity and unique floristic composition, emphasizing its significance as both a cultural monument and biodiversity reservoir. The study underscores the need for integrated conservation strategies to protect native flora while preserving historical structures.

Panitsa, M., Tsakiri, M., Constantinou, I., & Nikoloudis, I. (2025). The Plant Diversity of Cultural Habitat Islands: Aspects of the Flora of the Mystras UNESCO World Heritage Site (Greece). Diversity, 17(11), 749. https://doi.org/10.3390/d17110749