Project location: within NATURA 2000 sites of Cyprus Duration: 01/01/10-30/06/13

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1 Costas Kadis (1), Christina Pantazi (2), Takis C. Tsintides (3), Charalambos S. Christodoulou (3), Costas A. Thanos (4), Kyriacos Georghiou (4), Constantinos Kounnamas (1), Constantinos Constantinou (1), Marios Andreou (1), Nicolas-George Eliades (1) (1) Nature Conservation Unit, Frederick University-Nicosia, Cyprus. (2) Nature Protection Unit, Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. (3) Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. (4) Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 1

2 Project location: within NATURA 2000 sites of Cyprus Duration: 01/01/10-30/06/13 BUDGET INFO: ,00 EC Co-funding: 69,17 % PROJECT IMPLEMENTORS: Coordinating Beneficiary: Associated Beneficiaries: Frederick University Department of Environment (MANRE) University of Athens Department of Forests (MANRE) FEEO UNDP - ACT 2

3 The LIFE programme is the EU s funding instrument for the environment. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, update and development of EU environmental policy and legislation by co-financing pilot or demonstration projects with European added value. 3

4 The project adopts the Plant Micro-Reserves (PMRs) approach, which: envisages the monitoring and conservation of small land (~ 5-20 ha) of great value in terms of plant richness, endemism and rarity. constitutes a relatively recent concept and a novel approach for the conservation and management of plant populations of threatened and rare species 4

5 PMR approach has been adopted by other EU countries under the framework of an EU-funded LIFE project. i.e. Spain, Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria 5

6 FLORA: taxa grow in Cyprus endemic taxa taxa are included in the Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 20 - taxa of the Cyprus flora are included in Annex II of the European Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) 8 - taxa are characterised as priority species of EU HABITATS: 48 - different habitat types of the Appendix I of the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) have been identified in Cyprus 5 - exist exclusively on the island

7 38 sites are included in the NATURA 2000 network 7

8 Improve the conservation status of four (4) priority plant species that are found in NATURA 2000 sites: *Arabis kennedyae, *Astragalus macrocarpus subsp. lefkarensis, *Centaurea akamantis *Ophrys kotschyi 8

9 Improve the conservation status of two (2) priority habitat types of Cyprus that are found in NATURA 2000 sites: *9590 Cedrus brevifolia forests (Cedrosetum brevifoliae), *9390 Scrub and low forest vegetation of Quercus alnifolia. 9

10 Erect annual or biennial crucifer herb Found in three locations (southwest of Chionistra, Kryos Potamos and Cedar Valley) Census size estimated around individuals Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora the Cyprus classified as Endangered species The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Threats: recreational activities and disturbance of natural habitats, genetic erosion - reduction of genetic variability (isolated subpopulations and small subpopulations size), fire and limited public awareness 10

11 Erect perennial, legume herb Found in six known locations (Pano Lefkara, Asgata, Kelokedara, Alaminos, Ineia and Kormakitis) Overall size estimated around individuals Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora the Cyprus classified as Vulnerable species The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Threats: genetic erosion, which leads to the reduction of genetic variability (the ability for sexual reproduction is very low); limited public awareness 11

12 Composite subshrub with pendulous stems Found at two neighbouring locations in the Akamas area (Avakas Gorge and Koufon Creek) Census size of species today 600 individuals Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora the Cyprus classified as Endangered species The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Threats: recreational activities, disturbance of natural habitats, plant collection, genetic erosion (isolated subpopulations and small subpopulations size); limited public awareness 12

13 Tuberous, erect, glabrous perennial orchid Identified at 30 locations, with low numbers of individuals Total number of individuals is approximately Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora the Cyprus classified as Vulnerable species CITES Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Threats: recreational activities, disturbance of natural habitats (plant collection), genetic erosion (low ability in sexual reproduction), wild fires (burning of the straw remnants in the fields every autumn), unsustainable agriculture (expansion of cultivated areas which leads to extinction of the species' pollinator due to extensive use of pesticides) and limited public awareness 13

14 Both habitats occur only (endemic) in Cyprus Habitat type *9590 (*Cedrus brevifolia) Occurs exclusively within the boundaries of the Natural 2000 site Koilada Kedron Kambos (SPA , SCI ) Habitat type *9390 (Quercus alnifolia) Restricted to the ophiolite rocks (igneous rocks) of the Troodos range Dominates locally, but the species is observed mixed with most of the tree species of the island 14

15 PMR 3: Koilada Kedron - Kampos site (SPA - CY and SCI - CY ) PMR 2: Koilada Kedron - Kampos site (SPA - CY and SCI - CY ) PMR 1: Periochi Mitserou site (SCI -CY ) PMR 4: Avakas Gorge, at the Chersonisos Akama site (SPA - CY and psci - CY400010) PMR 5: Periochi Asgatas site (SCI - CY ) 15

16 Preparatory actions and elaboration of management plant Concrete conservation actions (in situ and ex situ) Public awareness and dissemination of results Secure the protection and sound management of the targeted species and habitats Secure the survival of the targeted species in the long-term through complementary ex situ conservation activities Contribute to the creation of a European PMR Network Increase the participation of local people/stakeholders in the design and implementation of conservation initiatives and the decision making process

17 Creation of the Database (Literature, baseline data on the locations and size of populations, information gathered by personal contacts)

18 Inventory of the localities of the targeted species/habitats Mapping the exact boundaries of each PMR 1:5.000 scale colour maps - electronic and printed format -

19 Detailed mapping of the PMRs (flora and habitat types ) Estimation of the population size and distribution of the targeted species Other important species occurring in the area Collection of site data (i.e. slope, soil type)

20 Preparatory actions: Preparation of Monitoring Plans and Management Plans for each PMR Assessment of the genetic diversity and population structure for each of the four targeted priority species and Cedrus brevifolia Field actions: Installation of permanent monitoring plots Monitoring of the PMRs Application of conservation measures within the PMRs Utilisation of existing Botanical Gardens of the FD to achieve the ex situ conservation of the targeted plant species Collection and storage of seeds of the targeted species at the seed bank of the Agricultural Research Institute to achieve the ex situ conservation of the targeted taxa 20

21 Establishment of a Plant Micro-reserve Network in Cyprus is on Facebook 21

22 Thank you for your attention