NATURA 2000 - STANDARD DATA FORM
For Special Protection Areas (SPA),
Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and
for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
SITE | CY6000006 |
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SITENAME | ETHNIKO DASIKO PARKO RIZOELIAS |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SITE IDENTIFICATION
Back to top1.1 Type
1.2 Site code
1.3 Site name
ETHNIKO DASIKO PARKO RIZOELIAS |
1.4 First Compilation date
1.5 Update date
1.6 Respondent:
Name/Organisation: | Costas HadjipanayiotouDirectorDepartment of Environment |
Address: |
|
Email: | director@environment.moa.gov.cy |
1.7 Site indication and designation / classification dates
Date site classified as SPA: | 2009-12 |
National legal reference of SPA designation |
No information provided
|
Date site proposed as SCI: | 2004-05 |
Date site confirmed as SCI: | 2008-03 |
Date site designated as SAC: | 2021-07 |
National legal reference of SAC designation: | ΚΔΠ 338/21 |
2. SITE LOCATION
Back to top2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:
Longitude: | 33.571400 |
Latitude: | 34.940700 |
2.2 Area [ha]
2.3 Marine area [%]
2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):
2.5 Administrative region code and name
NUTS level 2 code
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Region Name
|
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CY00 | Kypros / Kıbrıs |
2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)
3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Back to top3.1 Habitat types present on the site and assessment for them
Annex I Habitat types
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Site assessment
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Code
|
PF
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NP
|
Cover [ha]
|
Cave [number]
|
Data quality
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A|B|C|D
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A|B|C
|
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| | | | | | Representativity | Relative Surface | Conservation | Global |
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1520
|
X
|
| 0.31
| 0.00
| G
| B
| A
| B
| A
|
5220
|
X
|
| 1.287
| 0.00
| G
| C
| C
| B
| B
|
5420
|
|
| 41.25
| 0.00
| G
| B
| C
| B
| B
|
6220
|
X
|
| 1.966
| 0.00
| G
| A
| C
| B
| A
|
- PF: for the habitat types that can have a non-priority as well as a priority form (6210, 7130, 9430) enter "X" in the column PF to indicate the priority form.
- NP: in case that a habitat type no longer exists in the site enter: x (optional)
- Cover: decimal values can be entered
- Caves: for habitat types 8310, 8330 (caves) enter the number of caves if estimated surface is not available.
- Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation)
3.2 Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and site evaluation for them
- Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, I = Invertebrates, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
- S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
- NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
- Type: p = permanent, r = reproducing, c = concentration, w = wintering (for plant and non-migratory species use permanent)
- Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the Standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting (see reference portal)
- Abundance categories (Cat.): C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present - to fill if data are deficient (DD) or in addition to population size information
- Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation); VP = 'Very poor' (use this category only, if not even a rough estimation of the population size can be made, in this case the fields for population size can remain empty, but the field "Abundance categories" has to be filled in)
3.3 Other important species of flora and fauna (optional)
- Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, Fu = Fungi, I = Invertebrates, L = Lichens, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
- CODE: for Birds, Annex IV and V species the code as provided in the reference portal should be used in addition to the scientific name
- S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
- NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
- Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting, (see reference portal)
- Cat.: Abundance categories: C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present
- Motivation categories: IV, V: Annex Species (Habitats Directive), A: National Red List data; B: Endemics; C: International Conventions; D: other reasons
4. SITE DESCRIPTION
Back to top4.1 General site character
Habitat class
|
% Cover
|
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N03 | 0.00 |
N08 | 26.00 |
N09 | 6.00 |
N15 | 65.00 |
N20 | 3.00 |
Total Habitat Cover | 100 |
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Other Site Characteristics
The site of the National Forest Park of Rizoelia covers an area of 90.7 hectares, which is the greatest part (91.52%) of the area declared as National Forest Park. The forestland excluded from the site consists of about 6.5 hectares which is under a lease for the following 99 years for the construction of a football field to fulfil the needs of the nearby population; also, an area of 0.6 hectares has been offered by the Forestry Department for the creation of a police station. The site is located 3 kilometres South-East of the centre of Aradipou village and 7 kilometres North-East of Larnaka city. The boundaries of the site follow more or less the delimitation line of the National Forest Park.The climate of the area is typically Mediterranean the mean annual rainfall is around 345 mm. The dry period is between June and September. The maximum precipitation (82%) is mainly between November and March. The coolest months are January and February with mean minimum daily temperature 7.5 °C and maximum 16.5 °C. The mean maximum temperature during these months is 19.5 °C and the mean minimum 3 °C. The warmest months are July and August with mean maximum daily temperature 33 °C and mean minimum daily temperature is 22 °C. The mean minimum monthly temperature is 19 °C and the mean maximum monthly temperature is 37 °C. Geology. The area is mainly Gypsum alternating with chalky marls and marly chalks. Soils. The soils of the area are the following: Cypsiric Lithic Leptosols, Cypsiric Antropic Regosols, Calcanic Leptic Regosols. Most of the site is covered by plantations of Pinus brutia, Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus pinea, Acacia saligna etc. and there are small patches of natural habitats. Also, at some places where the forestation seems to be rather unsuccessful the planted trees have started to dry up and give space to phrygana (5420).Phrygana (5420) is the dominant natural vegetation and consists mainly of Thymus capitatus, Phagnalon rupestre, Asphodelus aestivus, Allium cupani, Stipa barbata, Atractylis canselata, Onobrychis venosa, Helianthemum obtusifolium, Asparagus stipularis, Echium angustifolium, Carlina involucrata and very scattered individuals of Ziziphus lotus. This vegetation is probably a remnant of old Ziziphus lotus scrub and is apparently devoid of gypsophilous vegetation. Patches of annuals and grasses (habitat type 6220) develop among the phrygana. Within this area there are recent plantations of Acacia saligna, Pistacia lentiscus, Schinus terrebintifolius, Cupressus sempervirence, Pinus pinea etc.The north-east part of the site is also dominated by similar phrygana (5420) in mosaics with grasslands (6220). At disturbed sites there appear abundant Salsola kali plants.Gypsophilous vegetation (habitat type 1520) develops in scattered patches all over most of the site, especially at open places not heavily disturbed by plantations of alien to this habitat species and also at road margins. The characteristic species are the more widespread Herniaria hemistemon and Onobrychis venosa and the rare Gypsophyla linearifolia while Helianthemum stipulatum, Thymus capitatus and herbs such as Allium lefkarense, Allium cupani, Allium spp. And annual grasses participate. It seems that these communities are in fact remnants of a natural vegetation that has today been degraded due to loss of habitat and intrusion of other species (phryganic, nitrophilous, weeds) caused by human impact. Mapping of this habitat is only indicative; the substrate and ecological conditions indicate that it might be more widespread in the site but this could not be confirmed due to technical reasons.At the southern part there is quite representative matorral with Ziziphus lotus (5220). The main plants of these communities are Asparagus stipularis, Noaea mucronata, Thymus capitatus, Salvia lanigera, Hyparrhenia hirta, Onobrychis venosa. The matorral alternates with phrygana (5420). |
4.2 Quality and importance
The main element of the quality and importance of the site of Rizoelia is the fact that it maintains adequately representative patches of gypsophilous communities (a priority Annex I habitat). Such communities can be regarded as rare in Cyprus, occurring only on the gypsum formations of central Cyprus and of the northern range (Pentadaktylos). In central Cyprus most of the gypsum formations have been forested and the gypsophilous communities have diminished and are close to extinction. The designation of the site as a National Forest Park is expected to assist the conservation of this habitat.Though the natural habitats of the site have suffered intense interventions, it offers a habitat to 31 important fauna species and to a total of 181 native plant taxa, 11 of them endemic. Other Important Species with Motivation DGypsophila lineariifolia is a gypsophilous species of Irano-Turanian distribution and Cyprus is its southewestern distribution margin. Herniaria hemistemon is a characteristic component of the gypsophilous syn-association Chenole arabica, of Saharo-Arabian distribution, and Cyprus is its northernmost distribution margin. Both these species are new records for Cyprus. They are local and rare in Cyprus, restricted on gypsum substrates and can be considered threatened by habitat loss due to reforestations of gypsum areas.Lycaena thersamon is a threatened taxon according to Heath (1981). Empusa fasciata is an important (Koomen & van Helsdinger, 1996) and threatened taxon listed on the European Red List of Globally Threatened Animals and Plants. Libelloides macaronius is an important (Koomen & van Helsdinger, 1996) and threatened taxon listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (1988) and on the European Red List of Globally Threatened Animals and Plants. Sphodromantis viridis, Acmaeodera quadrizonata are in Cyprus at the margins of their area of distribution. Zizeeria karsandra is a threatened taxon according to Heath (1981) which in Cyprus is at the margins of its area of distribution.Notes: The snake Macrovipera lebetina lebetina is included in section 3.3 as Vipera lebetina. |
4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site
The most important impacts and activities with high effect on the site
Negative Impacts |
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Rank | Threats and pressures [code] | Pollution (optional) [code] | inside/outside [i|o|b] |
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M | | | a |
L | | | i |
L | | | a |
L | | | a |
L | | | a |
L | | | i |
M | | | i |
L | | | a |
L | | | i |
L | | | i |
L | | | a |
M | | | i |
H | | | i |
L | | | i |
L | | | a |
L | | | a |
L | | | a |
L | | | a |
L | | | i |
Positive Impacts |
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Rank | Activities, management [code] | Pollution (optional) [code] | inside/outside [i|o|b] |
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L | | | a |
L | | | i |
L | | | a |
L | | | a |
L | | | i |
Rank: H = high, M = medium, L = low
Pollution: N = Nitrogen input, P = Phosphor/Phosphate input, A = Acid input/acidification,
T = toxic inorganic chemicals, O = toxic organic chemicals, X = Mixed pollutions
i = inside, o = outside, b = both
4.4 Ownership (optional)
No information provided
4.5 Documentation (optional)
http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environmentnew.nsf/page12_gr/page12_gr?OpenDocument
5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS
Back to top5.1 Designation types at national and regional level (optional):
5.2 Relation of the described site with other sites (optional):
Designated at national or regional level:
Type code
|
Site name
|
Type
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Cover [%]
|
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CY03 | RIZOELIA | - | 92.00 |
5.3 Site designation (optional)
No information provided
6. SITE MANAGEMENT
Back to top6.1 Body(ies) responsible for the site management:
Organisation: | Department of Forests |
Address: | |
Email: | director@fd.moa.gov.cy |
Organisation: | Department of Environment |
Address: | |
Email: | director@environment.moa.gov.cy |
6.2 Management Plan(s):
An actual management plan does exist:
6.3 Conservation measures (optional)
Within the framework of the LIFE-RIZOELIA project (LIFE12 NAT/CY/758), the following conservation measures were taken: 1) Protection of habitat type 1520 from trampling and off-road driving through soft-fencing 2) Control of Acacia saligna using targeted chemical control methods 3) Restoration and enhancement of habitat type 1520 4) Restoration and re-creation of habitat type 5220 5) Clearings of dry vegetation to reduce fire risk |
7. MAP OF THE SITE
Back to topINSPIRE ID: | |
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional) |
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SITE DISPLAY