The Troodos National Forest Park and Nowhere Else in Hydrology TT Morphological Feature on the Island
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he Troodos range is the predominant geological and Management found in the Troodos National Forest Park and nowhere else in Hydrology TT morphological feature on the island. It is covered mostly The entire Park area is a state forest and is therefore public Cyprus or on the planet. Some of these plants have been named Most of the largest streams of with natural forests of unique beauty and hosts invaluable plant property. The management of the Park is the responsibility of after Troodos like Alyssum troodi, Nepeta troodi, Scorzonea Cyprus spring from the Troodos and animal habitats. Graphic the Forestry Department troodea, Rosa chionistrae etc. The Troodos National Forest Park forest: Kourris, Kryos, Chapotami, villages that maintain local under the Ministry of Agri- constitutes the only, or the main habitat in Cyprus for many Dhiarizos, Karkotis and Marathasa culture, tradition and customs, culture, Natural Resources hardy plant species, such as the wild service tree, foetid juniper, river. are scattered all over the and Environment. The head- cotoneaster, barberry etc. As a result of these characteristics, No other forest area hosts as many Range. To the west, it extends quarters of management are Troodos is considered as a botanical heaven and has been to the Pafos district and to the water springs as Troodos forest. At at Platania Forest Station classified among the most important mountainous habitats of east it stretches over large present, there are about 50 known near Kakopetria. Forest Offi- flora in Europe. parts of Lefkosia, Lemesos and springs with substantial flow, used Larnaka districts. The Troodos ces operate also at Pano Pla- for supplying drinking water to many tres, Saittas and Pano Amian- forest occupies the heart of the Fauna villages of the Lemesos and Lefkosia tos. The main management districts. “Arkolachania” spring has Range and includes its highest Animal life of the Park is also rich and with high conservational activities include protection the biggest flow, with a minimum peaks (up to 1 952 m). The largest value. Of the mammals, mention merits the Cyprus mouflon from fire, nature conserva- daily flow of 1 500 m3 and a maximum part of the forest, about 9 000 ha Picnic site at Platania, under snow (Ovis gmelini ophion), which however is very rare and is scarcely The Caledonia Falls 2 tion, recreation management, of 7 000 m3. The hydrological role of or 90 km , was designated a Na- to be seen. It is only a casual visitor to the western and northern reforestation, restoration of the forest is mainly the infiltration tional Forest Park in 1992. The parts of the Park that are closer to the main mouflon’s habitat, main aim was to safeguard its Amiantos asbestos mine, maintenance of forest roads etc. and purification of precipitated water. The water is stored in the Pafos Forest. The fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the hedgehog rational use and to perpetuate natural underground reservoirs and constantly supplies springs (Hemiechinus auritus dorotheae), live in the Park; they have the values and functions of the with water. Vegetation and Flora evolved to endemic subspecies, obviously because of their long area: ecological, scientific, recrea- The provision of pure, drinking water is a main function of the The forests in the Troodos National Forest Park are mostly isolation in the island habitats of Cyprus. Interesting in the special tional, hydrological and econo- forest. Its importance is growing rapidly, as a consequence of natural, regenerated without human intervention. At lower mammal group are the bats, which prefer mine galleries and old mic. The greater part of the A black pine (Pinus nigra) stand the increased pollution of waters from excessive and unwise use elevations calabrian pine (Pinus brutia) is the dominant tree buildings for roosting. Park has been included in the of chemicals by man. European network of protected areas, “Natura 2000”. species ascending up to 1 200 m and in warm, south-facing More than 80 bird species have slopes, up to 1 600 m. A large number of smaller trees and been recorded to nest or to visit Geographical position shrubs occupy specific niches of the forest ecosystems that are the Park area during the year. Of Geology The Troodos forest lies about 40 km north of Lemesos and created as a result of the combined effect of altitude, geology particular interest are the rare and The distinctive geology of the Troodos Forest area has 60km west of Lefkosia. It covers an altitudinal zone of 600 m and moisture conditions. Along main riverbeds the dense protected: griffon vulture (Gyps attracted international scientific interest. The various rock types (lowest point near Saittas) and 1 952 m (highest peak, Chionistra). vegetation is made up of oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), fulvus), raven (Corvus corax), Bo- of the forest belong to the ophiolithic complex, which is To the north it extends to the main road Kakopetria - Prodromos; oriental alder (Alnus orientalis), laurel (Laurus nobilis), bramble nelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus). characteristic of the broader Troodos range and one of the best - to the west up to the villages Lemythou, Agios Dimitrios and (Rubus sanctus), myrtle (Myrtus communis), mint (Mentha Typical of the Park, are the smaller developed worldwide. For this Pano Platres; to the south, it is bound by the villages Moniatis longifolia), ivy (Hedera helix) etc., contributing considerably to birds, crossbill (Loxia curvirostra reason, it has become the and Pelendri and its eastern boundaries roughly follow the road landscape biodiversity and providing an ideal refuge to animal dorotheae), treecreeper (Certhia object of scientific study. It is Fylagra - Kato Amiantos - Kakopetria. life. At lowest altitudes, wild olive (Olea europaea) reaches 1 000 m, brachydactyla), the nightingale widely accepted that the the strawberry tree (Arbutus andrachne), with its attractive (Luscinia megarhynchos), the Cyprus ophiolithic system of Troodos, Visitor Centre colour changes throughout the year is encountered in the zone wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) etc. Hoopoe (Upupa epops) has influenced man’s knowledge It is located just about 200 m west of the Troodos Square, to from 600 - 1 500 m, the sumach (Rhus coriaria) and the endemic Various reptile species appear of the structure and birth of which a paved trail is connected. The main function of the centre golden oak (Quercus alnifolia) from 600 - 1 650 m. At higher during the warmest seasons of the the ocean’s crust like no other is to provide information about the Troodos National Forest Park. altitudes, from 1 200 - 1 500 m up to Chionistra, the dominant year. The blunt-nosed viper (Macroripera lebetina) which can be ophiolithic complex in the It is open daily at fixed hours and there is a low entrance fee. It forest species is black pine (Pinus nigra). Other hardy, woody extremely dangerous only if somebody steps on it, the slim- world. The Troodos ocean includes an exhibition gallery, a film and lecture theatre and a species common to the area are foetid juniper (Juniperus tailed Agama (Laudakia stellio cypriaca), the Mediterranean crust was created 90 million foetiditssima), wild service tree (Sorbus aria), cotoneaster chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleo), different lizard species like years ago and it began to rise small shop. Outside, there is a short circular trail with geological Rock formation in Troodos and botanical exhibits. (Cotoneaster racemiflorus), barbery (Phinicolacerda troodica) and other snake species. 70 million years ago. The first (Berberis crerica), the endemic dwarf In moist sites, the freshwater crab (Potamion potamios) is trace of land emerged only 15 gorse (Genista sphacelata subsp. cru- characteristic; the green toad (Bufo million years ago. delis) etc. A considerable number of viridis), the brown trout (Salmo The main rocks found in the Park area are serpentinite, dunite, black pine trees as well as junipers in trutta) and various other smaller wehrlite, pyroxenite, plagiogranite, gabbro, diabase and volcanic this zone, are perennial-old, often animals can be seen. rocks at the lower altitudes. exceeding 500 years - a few up to Of the insects, that are not so 1 000 years. These trees are strictly well studied, butterflies are of the Threats to the Park protected for their high ecological and greatest interest. More than 30 Forest fire is the main threat to the Park. Fires are favoured by scientific value. species have been recorded in the The total number of individual plant Park, including some very rare and the prolonged hot, dry summers, the high inclines and dense species recorded in the Troodos endemic species. As regards other flammable vegetation. Human negligence is the sole cause of National Forest Park approaches 750. insect groups, hundreds of species destructive fires in Cyprus. The management makes every effort Among them, 72 are endemic to have so far been recorded, some of and has at its disposal considerable resources for the prevention Cyprus, of which 12 are exclusive to them endemic to Cyprus and to the and timely extinction of fires. Forest fires cause among others, Cyprus alisson (Alyssum cypricum) Peony (Paeonia mascula) the Park, that is, they can only be Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) Park. landscape and habitat deterioration, soil erosion, loss in ecosystem productivity and death of many animals. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES Illegal capture and killing of birds is also a threat that leads to Activities related to snow are only possible during January and Recreation Sites at Troodos National Forest Park - Picnic sites AND ENVIRONMENT considerable reduction of bird populations, and undermines the February and rarely from December to March. The Park provides Picnic site Capacity Altitude above sea level (m) ® Platania 2.300 1.000 DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS management’s effort to enhance biodiversity. Littering unique opportunities to photographers both amateur and ® Mesa Potamos 400 900 www.moa.gov.cy/forest constitutes an additional problem, as it results in spoiling the professional, to bird-watchers and to those who like studying ® Almirolivado 2.200 1.600 Park’s beauty.