Establishment of a Plant Micro-Reserve network in Cyprus for the conservation of priority species and habitats

Transcription

1 Establishment of a Plant Micro-Reserve network in Cyprus for the conservation of priority species and habitats Assoc. Prof. Costas Kadis Scientific Coordinator 1

2 Establishment of a Plant Micro-Reserve Network in Cyprus for the Conservation of Priority Species and Habitats Project location: within NATURA 2000 sites of Cyprus Duration: 01/01/10-30/06/13 Budget: ,00 PROJECT IMPLEMENTORS: Coordinating Beneficiary: EC Co-funding: 69,17 % Department of Environment (MANRE) Associated Beneficiaries: Frederick University University of Athens Department of Forests (MANRE) FEEO UNDP - ACT 2

3 FLORA: taxa 145 endemic taxa 321 taxa in the Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus 20 taxa in the Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive 8 taxa are characterised as priority species HABITATS: 48 habitat types of the Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive have been identified in Cyprus 5 exist exclusively on the island

4 Improve the conservation status of four (4) priority plant species and two (2) priority habitat types of Cyprus, that are found in NATURA 2000 sites: *Arabis kennedyae, *Astragalus macrocarpus subsp. lefkarensis, *Centaurea akamantis, *Ophrys kotschyi, *9590 Cedrus brevifolia forests (Cedrosetum brevifoliae), *9390 Scrub and low forest vegetation of Quercus alnifolia. 4

5 30 locations (~1.800 individuals) Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus: Vulnerable CITES Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Main Threats: recreational activities, disturbance of natural habitats, over collection, unsustainable agriculture, low ability for sexual reproduction. 5

6 3 locations (~ individuals) Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus: Endangered The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Main Threats: recreational activities and disturbance of natural habitats, genetic erosion, fire 6

7 Found at two neighboring locations in the Akamas Peninsula (~ 600 individuals) Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus : Endangered The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Threats: recreational activities, overgrazing, disturbance of natural habitats, plant overcollection, genetic erosion 7

8 Found in six known locations (~2.900 individuals) Conservation and protection status: Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus: Vulnerable Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants Bern Convention Annex II, EU Habitats Directive, priority species Threats: low ability for sexual reproduction 8

9 Habitat type *9590 (Cedrus brevifolia forests) Occurs exclusively within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 site Koilada Kedron Kampos. Habitat type *9390 (Scrub and low forest vegetation of Quercus alnifolia) Restricted to the igneous rocks of the Troodos range. Dominates locally, but also in mixture with other forest tree species of Cyprus. 9

10 The project adopts the Plant Micro-Reserves (PMRs) approach. Detailed monitoring and effective conservation of a significant part of population (20-85%) for most species. PMR 2: Koilada Kedron - Kampos PMR 1: Periochi Mitserou PMR 3: Koilada Kedron - Kampos PMR 5: Periochi Asgatas PMR 4: Avakas Gorge, at the Chersonisos Akama 10

11 Preparatory actions Inventory of the localities of the targeted species/habitats and determination of the boundaries of the PMRs. Detailed mapping of the PMRs. Preparation of Monitoring Plans for each PMR. Preparation of Management Plans for each PMR. 11

12 Preparatory actions Assessment of the genetic diversity and population structure for each of the targeted species. Learning from the experiences of other EU countries that adopted the PMR approach. 12

13 Concrete conservation actions Establishment of the PMRs in the field. Installation of permanent monitoring plots. Monitoring of the PMRs. 13

14 Concrete conservation actions Application of conservation measures within the PMRs. Enrichment of the populations of the targeted species. Utilisation of existing Botanical Gardens of the FD to achieve the ex situ conservation of the targeted species. 14

15 Concrete conservation actions 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. 15

16 Public awareness / dissemination of results Information campaign, organisation of workshops, seminars and conferences, production of information material. Technical publications, website development, CD-ROM production, layman s report. 16

17 Public awareness / dissemination of results Operation of Information Centres within three Botanical Gardens. Preparation and publication of a book on PMR experiences 17

18 Establishment of a Plant Micro-Reserve Network in Cyprus for the Conservation of Priority Species and Habitats Plant-Net Cy aims to provide a platform for networking of all previous LIFE projects with a focus on the establishment of PMRs in Europe. 18

19 Expected 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. Increase the participation of local people/stakeholders in the design and implementation of conservation initiatives and the decision making process. Contribute to the creation of a European PMR Network. 19

20 Establishment of a Plant Micro-Reserve Network in Cyprus for the Conservation of Priority Species and Habitats Establishment of a Plant Micro-reserve Network in Cyprus is on Facebook 20

21 Thank you for your attention