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The special interest of Mt. Varasova as a unique biotope is due to its steep almost vertical slopes occurring mainly on its southern, south-western and south-eastern sides. These slopes make approach difficult or impossible, and for that reason the mountain remains a significant refuge for an important flora and fauna. The most important area of the mountain is concentrated on the bare, almost vertical cliffs. In these places, many endemic or rare plants live. The most important plant species is Centaurea alba subsp. heldreichii, which is listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC, in the Bern Convention, and in the WCMC (under the category "Endangered"). It is also protected by the Presidential Decree 67/1981. This plant is a rare local endemic, which grows on limestone cliffs near the sea, mainly near the village of Kryoneri. From the endemic species listed in section 3.3 the most important are Reseda tympaea, Stachys parolinii, which are endemic mainly to W Greece and have been noted as "Rare" according to the WCMC list. The species Crocus sieberi which occur in this site, is Balkan endemic. As far as the non-bird vertebrate fauna of this site is concerned, some species listed in Annex II of the Directive 92/43/EEC have been reported as occurring there (see section 3.2). Of these, the bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is a threatened taxon mentioned in the Greek Red Data Book as "Vulnerable". All these species are also protected by the Bern Convention and Greek legislation. Some more vertebrates have been recorded as Other Important Important Species and are listed in sections 3.3. All are protected by the Bern Convention and are, therefore, marked by motivation C. Moreover, apart from some, all the other taxa are also marked with motivation D since they are included either in the lists of the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981 (B. bufo, Hyla arborea, Lacerta trilineata, Coluber gemonensis), and/or in the handbook of the CORINE-Biotopes Project (Hyla arborea, Ablepharus kitaibelii). The colubrid snake Coluber is also allocated the D motivation since the former is a Balkan endemic taxon. A remarkable avifauna inhabits this site. The most important bird taxa are some birds of prey, such as Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraaetus fasciatus and Falco peregrinus; all three are threatened species according to the data given by the Greek Red Data Book (the first two are considered "Vulnerable" and the third "Insufficiently Known"). The extensive wetlands of Mesolongi and Evinos river neighbouring Mt. Varasova is one more reason indicating its major importance and quality.This mountain is well known to climbers because, although it isn't a high mountain, it is of interest due to its geomorphology and geographical position. The view from the peaks of Sfyri and Ailias of vertical southerly slopes and the Patraikos Gulf is impressive. The abrupt caves, that exist mainly on the north-eastern side of the mountain are also interesting. These caves had attracted many ascetic monks during the 12th-19th centuries, who had built a miniature Agion Oros. Today the ascetic cave Ascitario of Agioi Pateres and ruins of Agios Dimitrios, a byzantine church, are preserved. |
