The primary aim of this project is to promote and enable the long term conservation of the two priority habitats, '*5220 - Arborescent matorrals with Ziziphus' and '*1520 - Gypsum steppes (Gypsophiletalia)' in Cyprus, by quantifying and halting natural and anthropogenic pressure and threats that contribute to their long term degradation. The project is implemented within Rizoelia National Forest Park, of which the greatest part is included in the European network of nature protection areas Natura 2000 (CY6000006).
T H E P R O J E C T
Project objective/aim
Gypsum steppes (Gypsophiletalia), *1520
Garrigues occupying gypsum-rich soils, in dry and semi deserted areas. The garrigues are usually very open with dense patches of annual species or with bare land of gypsum.
The habitat type is floristically characterized by the presence of gypsophilous species such as Campanula fastigiata and Gypsophila linearifolia (Critically Endangered), in Cyprus.
The habitat type *1520 is protected by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive) since it is listed in Annex I and is characterized as 'priority habitat'. The latter indicates that the habitat type is under the threat of extinction and the necessity of immediate conservation actions, is significant.
Arborescent matorrals with Ziziphus, *5220
Deciduous scrub of the thermo-Mediterranean bio-climate zone, found usually in dry to semi deserted areas and has as dominant, the species Ziziphus lotus. In Cyprus, the species was abundant mostly along Mesaoria zone and central hill zone of the island but due to strong anthropogenic pressure, the species is found in isolated clusters, usually at the boundaries of cultivated fields. Only rarely, are found representative communities of habitat type *5220.
Other species found at the habitat type are Asparagus stipularis, Noaea mucronata, Thymbra capitata and Phagnalon rupestre.
The habitat type *5220 is protected by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive) since it is listed in Annex I and is characterized as 'priority habitat'. The latter indicates that the habitat type is under the threat of extinction and the necessity of immediate conservation actions, is significant.
Targeted habitat types
Improving the conservation status of the priority habitat types *1520 and *5220 at the
R I Z O E L I A N A T I O N A L F O R E S T PARK
