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Mount Kerketion is an area with significant diversity, supporting well conserved natural habitats, most importantly the fir and oak forests and also the rocky habitats, and hosting endemic and threatened or rare species of the flora and fauna, notably of the avifauna and the mammal fauna. The mountain has been characterized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for large birds of prey and has large populations of raptors, especially of vultures. The significant populations of mammals found in the area are in part due to the site's management as a game reserve and controlled hunting area: the animals are fed and protected from natural and human (hunters) threats. In addition, three game species have been imported and are bred in the area: a deer species, Dama dama, a pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and a partridge.The ecological quality and balance of the site as fashioned by the management of the site are fragile and require a continual maintainance by the Forestry Department. Nevertheless, it is important that the natural environment is effectively protected and conserved and at the same time it provides a significant source of income for the area, functioning as a tourist attraction (for hunting). OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES WITH MOTIVATION D Animals: The invertebrate species Kirinia climene, Heodes alciphron, Eumedonia eumedon, Strimonida w-album, and Closiana dia are considered threatened significant species in Europe (Heath 1981, Dabrowski). Closiana dia is also protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). Syricthus tesselum (=Muschampia tesselum) is considered a significant and threatened species (Heath 1981; Dabrowski; Koomen & van Helsdingen, 1993, Corine, 1988; IUCN, 1993) and is also protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). The species Gonepteryx rhamni, Coluber gemonensis, Glis glis, Mustela nivalis, Sciurus vulgaris, Triturus alpestris are protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). The reptiles Elaphe longissima and Coronella austriaca are considered threatened (Corine checklist of threatened species) and are included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). The species Vipera ammodytes and Felis sylvestris are included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC. Lacerta viridis, L. trilineata and Podarcis muralis are included in Annex IV of the Directive 92/43/EEC and protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). Plants: Nepeta spruneri, Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. bulgarica, Dianthus viscidus, Sideritis raeseri ssp. raeseri (=Sideritis sicula ssp. raeseri), Carum graecum ssp. graecum, Campanula spatulata ssp. spatulata and Poa thessala are balkan endemics. Carlina frigida is a balkan endemic occurring in S. & C. Greece probably extending to Albania and SW former Jugoslavia. Ophioglossum vulgatum occurs thoughout the temperate regions of the northern hemosphere, but it is rare and scattered in Greece.Geranium humbertii (=G. subcaulescens) is protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). The endemic species Lithospermum goulandriorum and Allium heldreichii are included in the IUCN Red Data List (1993) in the category of threatened plants characterized as rare and protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/81). |
