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Flora & Fauna

Cyprus_Flora_and_Faouna
Flora

There is no denying that the flora of the Geopark is the richest in Cyprus and, for this reason, the Troodos mountain range is considered one of the most important mountain habitats for plants in the whole of Europe. This rich biodiversity is due to the great variety of habitats that are formed because of the differences of altitude, particular geology, the presence of water and the local terrain.

The most representative examples of the influence of geology are the serpentinphilous endemics of Troodos, such as Onosma troodiAcinos troodi,Cynoglossum troodi and Alyssum troodi as well as many plants that are only found in igneous rocks, such as Silene laevigata and Rosa chionistrae, and those that are found in the transitional zone of limestone and ophiolite rocks such asSilene gemmata and plants on outcrops of igneous rocks (chasmophyticvegetation) such as Sedum cyprium and Sedum microstachyum.

Across the whole area of the Geopark, 92 different endemic plants of Cyprus have been recorded from a total of 143 on the island, i.e. about 64% in an area that represents only 12% of its territory. Of these, 37 are found exclusively in the Geopark and nowhere else in Cyprus or indeed in the world. It is also worth noting that 87 endangered species have been recorded out of 238 mentioned in the Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus. Equally important is the fact that the percentage of endangered species is low compared to the total number of species and this is the result of conservation measures and the relatively mild human intervention in the broader area.

The enormous importance of the Geopark’s flora is indicated by another significant fact: it is home to 10 of the 19 plant species included in Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive. But over and above these impressive facts, thanks to its plant wealth, the Geopark is attracting more and more special interest tourists who visit Cyprus mainly to study and get more closely acquainted with its flora.

Fauna

The fauna of the region could not be anything but inextricably linked to its flora, habitats and particular ecological conditions. Although large mammals are rare – with the exception of the Moufflon – the Geopark’s fauna is of great ecological value, given the presence of many endemic and endangered species. More than 100 of the total of 265 types of bird found on the island have been recorded in the Park, while all the endemic species are gathered in the area of the Park.

Moreover, 16 of the 30 species of mammals and 13 of the 22 types of reptiles that are found in Cyprus have been recorded in the Park. Equally important is the number of endemic insect species in the area – 107 – and the fact that 8 of the 9 endemic types of butterfly are found in the Troodos Geopark..
The main categories of fauna, with some of their most characteristic types, are the following:

Mammals

The most important type is the Cyprus Moufflon (Ovis gmelini ophion), which lives in the Paphos Forest and travels as far as the borders of the Troodos National Forest Park. It is followed by the recently-discovered endemic species of mouse (Mus cypriacus), which is found in certain areas of the Park. The hare(Lepus europaeus) and the fox (Vulpes vulpes indutus) are among the mammals found in the habitats of Troodos while various protected species of bat live in old houses, arcades and the galleries of abandoned mines, as well as in old tree hollows. Bats are protected on a national and EU level since their global population is shrinking constantly.

Birds

The ornithological value of the area is reflected in the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPA) for birds. Among the most important species are the Europe-wide endangered Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), the highly endangered griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) and many other birds of prey such as the northern goshawk, the long-legged buzzard and others. Also, the endemic Cyprus wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca), the Cyprus warbler (Sylvia melanothorax)and the short-toed tree-creeper (Certhia brachydactyla dorotheae) are found here together with the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), the Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), the nightingale (Luscinia megarynchos) and the common raven (Corvus corax ), which is in danger of becoming extinct on the island.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Among these, an important place belongs to the endemic species of Cyprus snake (Coluber cypriensis), the endangered watersnake Natrix natrix which has been recorded at the Xyliatos dam and its vicinity, and the endemic subspecies of lizardLacerta laevis troodica. The marsh frog (Rana ridibunda) and the green toad(Bufo viridis), which reproduce in flowing rivers are life forms that are essential for the balance of the Troodos ecosystems. In the flowing waters of its rivers one also finds the Cyprus freshwater crab (Potamion potamios cyprius ), an endemic Cypriot subspecies.

Insects

In the insect kingdom, pride of place goes to butterflies such as the cardinal (Pandoriana pandora)which is common in the Troodos area, the rare black-veined white (Aporia crataegi) and nettle-tree butterflies (Libythea celtis), the endemic Paphos blue (Glaucopsyche paphos) and the purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus). Among the strictly protected species noted in the Habitat Directive, the endemic Cyprus beetle(Promomacrus cypriacus) and the Jersey tiger moth (Callimorpha quadripuctaria), popularly known as the Rhodes butterfly, have been recorded here. Although the entire category has not been studied to a satisfactory degree, among the insects recorded in the area are dozens of endemic species.

Other types of fauna

In the area of the Geopark there are other smaller types of fauna that have yet to be studied properly such as, for example, snails of which a study has recently begun and it has already brought to light at least three species that are endemic to Cyprus.