The University of Ioannina boasts the first field station in the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS) network to be situated in Mediterranean Europe. PALASE was established in 2012, in the former Labriadeios Textile & Weaving School. Situated within the borders of Northern Pindos National Park, PALASE is surrounded by oak forests, meadows, wetlands and mountainous grasslands that host an amazing fauna of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as countless invertebrate species.
In close vicinity, there are:
- The Vikos-Aoos National Forest
- The Pindos National Forest
- 11 NATURA 2000 areas
- The UNESCO Vikos-Aoos Geopark
- Prehistoric sites, Byzantine churches and monasteries, and villages with traditional stonework (16th – 19th c)
Other attractive features are ease of access (Just 30 minutes from Ioannina airport) and the natural beauty and unique landscapes (Just 3 km from Vikos Gorge)
The PALASE building is a two-floor 1500 sq.metre building equipped with:
- A large lecture hall (80 people)
- 2 Classrooms/Laboratories (40 people each)
- 5 Large dormitories (40 people in total)
- 5 Single/double rooms (one twin, one double, 3 singles)
- Cooking facilities and refectory
In addition, we have equipment for ecological work, such as Binoculars and telescopes, butterfly nets, an ultraviolet light tower for nocturnal sampling and a large set of guidebooks for the flora and fauna of this region. We have basic equipment such as a few computers, printers & scanners. The building is equipped with Internet access.
- Year Founded
- 2012
- Year Joined OBFS
- 2014
- Size of Field Station (hectares)
- 1-100
- FSML Web Address
- https://fieldstation.bat.uoi.gr
- Private nonprofit organization?
- No
- Universities affiliated / Parent Organization
- University of Ioannina
- Federal, state, or local governmental partners?
-
Other: Municipality of Zagori
- Member of the Virtual Field
- No