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The presence of a large number of endemic and protected plant and animal species indicates the special ecological value of the site in reference. Regarding the flora of the site, a fair number of species are endemic to Greece, or endemics with a wider distribution; two of them, Asyneuma giganteum and Paeonia clusii ssp. rhodia, included in Annex II of the Directive 92/43/EEC. It is also notable that the island is the only locality in the EC where the species Liquidambar orientalis an east-mediterranean endemic species, occurs. Also, the species Comperia comperiana, an endangered species in Greece and Europe (IUCN, 1993), besides being legally protected at international and national level, is also included in the National Red Data Book (unpublished). he vegetation of the site is also significant. The forest of Profitis Ilias is one of the more extensive forested areas on the island with a great floristic diversity. The quality of the tree stands is very good. On the other hand, the vegetation of the valley of Petaloudes is characterized by the presence of a large number of Liquidambar trees. Regarding the fauna, many important invertebrate and vertebrate species, inhabiting the area covered by the site, have been recorded. The river Loutaris and the streams Kamares and Cha host the endemic fish species Ladigesocypris ghigii, which is a priority species (Directive 92/43/EEC),and a small population of the Jersey Tiger moth Euplagia quadripunctaria has been found in the surrounding area. The most interesting characteristic of the valley of Petaloudes is the great population of the species of the above moth inhabiting the valley during the estival period. f the other species of fauna, three bird species are included in Annex I of the Directive 79/409 /EEC, and two bats and one insect species, are listed on Annex II of the Directive 92/43/EEC. Many other vertebrates and invertebrates are endemic or protected by International Convention (see section 3.3.).IMPORTANT SPECIES WITH MOTIVATION DSome plant species, namely Anthemis rhodensis, Campanula hagielia, Centaurea lactucifolia, Cyclamen persicum, Erysimum rhodium, Fritillaria rhodia, Liquidamdar orientalis, Matricaria macrotis, Romulea tempskyana, Scabiosa variifolia, Zygophyllum album, Astragalus austro-aegaeus, Medicago heyniana, Ebenus sibthorpii, Colchicum macrophyllum, Arenaria guicciardi, Comperia comperiana, Lithodora hispidula and Ophrys reinholdii, are protected by the Greek law (Presidential Decree 67/81). The following species of reptiles Coluber najadum, Telescopus fallax, Lacerta trilineata, Ophisops elegans, the species of mammals Erinaceus concolor, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Tadarida teniotis and finally species of invertebrates namely Chrysomela gypsophilae are also protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). Ophrys umbilicata ssp. rhodia is protected by the CITES Convention (Annex C) and by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). |
