| The quality and importance of the site under consideration is based on the ecological and aesthetic value of its natural elements. From an ecological point of view, a variety of vegetation types, which are of excellent structure, are maintained. This, in conjuction with its interesting geomorphology, make the area remarkably rich in flora and fauna. It has high alpine pastures, bare rocks and screes, and an impressive Abies cephalonica forest.The National Park of Parnassos was established in 1938 and is the second Greek National Park -the first being Mount Olympos. Its core coincides with a Special Protection Area (SPA), according to the Birds Directive. The whole area is particularly important for birds of prey, woodpeckers and alpine birds. The site hosts many species of invertebrates, many of them endemic, and endemic species of plants. OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES WITH MOTIVATION D: Plants: The following species are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81) and are also included in the IUCN Red List of threatened species (1993): Alyssum doerfleri (rare), Genista parnassica (Rare), Astragalus lacteus (Rare), Seseli parnassicum (Rare), Beta nana (Rare), Silene barbeyana (Rare), Rindera graeca (Rare), Campanula rupicola (Rare), Stachys swainsonii swainsonii (Rare), Campanula aizoon ssp. aizooides (Vulnerable), Erodium chrysanthum (Vulnerable). The IUCN Red List of threatened species (1993), also includes the species Euphorbia orphanidis (Rare), Centaurea musarum (Rare), Abies cephalonica (Rare), Geranium humbertii, are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). The species Erodium chrysanthum, Aquilegia ottonis ssp. ottonis, are included in the Corine Checklist of threatened plants.The Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81) also protects the species Viola poetica, Veronica erinoides, Veronica thymifolia. Minuartia stellata (an endemic of Greece & S. Albania). Poa thessala, Acer heldreichii, Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. bulgarica, Carum heldreichii, Sesleria tenerrima, Arabis bryoides, Arenaria conferta ssp. conferta, Crocus veluchensis, , Verbascum graecum, Lilium chalcedonicum, Silene radicosa ssp. radicosa, Minuartia stellata, Dianthus integer ssp. minutiflorus, Geocaryum pindicolum, are endemic to the Balkan peninsula. Acantholimon echinus ssp. echinus is a species with distribution in Greece and W Anatolia. Amelanchier ovalis ssp. cretica is a species with distribution in Sicily and Greece. Campanula trichocalycina (=Asyneuma trichocalycinum) is a rather rare plant with scattered localities in Greece (distribution Balkan peninsula, Sicily, Italy). The following species are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81): Dryomys nitedula wingei, Sciurus vulgaris, Rana dalmatina, Rana graeca, Triturus vulgaris. The species Dryomys nitedula wingei, Rana dalmatina, Rana graeca are also considered species of Community importance, included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC.Invertebrates:The following species are considered in need of protection in Europe (Legakis, 1995): Carcharodus flocciferous (Rare), Iolana iolas (Rare), Styrmonidia w-alba (Vulnerable), Thersmonia thetis (Endangered). Parnaasius apollo is considered an endangered species in Europe and is protected by international conventions (Bern, CITES) as well as by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81), and included in the IUCN Red List of threatened species as «Rare». The Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81) protects the species Cyaniris helena, Hipparchia aristaeus and Thersmonia thetis. |