Alternative tourism at Natura 2000 areas, as a proposal for ecological restoration, protection, conservation, and sustainable development. The case study of Zakynthos and Strofades

The current study took place at Natura 2000 areas in Ionian Islands, specifically at Zakynthos and Strofades. Both islands have a significant natural and cultural heritage and constitute part of the Natura 2000 Network. Zakynthos is protected for its biodiversity and its landscape and the Strofades islands belong to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. The forest character of both areas constitutes a common base for a proposal for their alternative and sustainable development. Because of recurrent fires, the currently occurring degradation of woodland area at the west coast of Zakynthos demonstrates the importance of supporting and promoting natural and cultural heritage of the area, so as to ensure its protection and conservation, as well as its sustainable environmental and socio-economic development. Regarding Strofades, it constitutes a significant sequestered ecosystem, an important habitat for different species, hosting the only forest in Greece with Juniperus phoenicea. The present study mapped and recorded the environmental and cultural characteristics of Zakynthos and Strofades (ecosystems, biodiversity, landscape, soundscape, culture), to propose a compiled model for an alternative sustainable development.