| Σχόλιο για τις αξίες |
This site is important exactly because it consists of large cliffs (at the southwestern flanks of a largely forested mountain) which border the wetlands of Aitoliko-Mesolonghi. These cliffs together with the wetland are ecologically connected and they could be considered as a whole. There is also a special avifauna occurring here along with Centaurea niederi, an important plant species with a very restricted distribution. Αmphibian and reptilian taxa are known to occur in this site. As shown in section 3.2 the toad Bombina variegata and the tortoise Testudo hermanni, are species listed in Annex II of the Directive 92/43/ E.E.C. Both taxa are also protected by the Bern Convention and the latter by the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981. Τhe toad Bufo viridis and the frog Hyla arborea, are protected by the Bern Convention, therefore these are allocated motivation C. Moreover, they are protected by the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981 and have been evaluated by the CORINE-Biotopes Project, thus becoming eligible for motivation D (section 3.3). This site is classified among EC Important Bird Areas, mainly due to the occurrence of threatened and rare birds of prey together with other considerable bird taxa. Namely, the ""Endangered"" eagles Aquila clanga and A. heliaca, the ""Vulnerable"" ones A. pomarina and A. chrysaetes, as well as the vulture Gyps fulvus, and the ""Insufficiently Known"" falcon Falco peregrinus are known to nest on the steep cliffs of this site. Furthermore, the hawk Accipiter brevipes, the eagle owl Bubo bubo, the woodpecker Dendrocopos medius and a number of passeriform taxa make up this very interesting avifauna. Concerning birds of prey, the most important parts of the site are the southern and southwestern slopes of Mt. Arakynthos as well as the Kleisoura gorge, since these areas neighbour the extensive wetland system of Aitoliko, Mesolongi and the Evinos river estuary, which constitute hunting areas of high productivity for these birds. The aesthetic value of its impressive landscape is also very high and hence the site must be protected from any human activity (quarries, waste, disposal, industrial installations at the borders of the site, etc.), which could possibly negatively affect its peculiar morphology or its special habitats and taxa. This site could be promoted as an area of great aesthetic and ecological value. Properly positioned observation posts could be set up from where visitors could observe the remarkable avifauna and be informed of its ecological significance. |
