| Περιγραφή Τόπου |
The site is located in the northern part of Peloponnisos, south of the town of Aigio. It includes the mountains of Marmpas (Barmpas or Chionistra) and Klokos, the steep slopes of the gorge of the Selinountas river which flows between them, as well as the riverside ecosystem.Mt. Marmpas has an altitude of 1615 m and is the south-eastern section of Mt. Panachaiko. It is characterized by a variety of geological substrates such as alpine sediments, limestone, argilic shistolith and flysh, as well as deposits of argilic elements, conglomerates, pebbles, etc.The vegetation at its lower altitudes is influenced by human activities (mainly olive groves). On the eastern slope of the mountain, Pinus halepensis forest and maquis extend up to an altitude of about 800-900 m. In the higher altitudes of this side, a few scattered Abies cephalonica trees grow, while the upper part of the mountain is characterized by bare limestone rocks. Steep slopes occur at the lower eastern part of the mountain by the sides of the Selinountas river (Selinountas gorge). The largest area of the northern, western and southern part of the mountain, included in the studied site is covered by dense Abies cephalonica forest, except on the bare limestone rocks of the peak. Around the village of Ano Mazaraki agricultural land exists. Mt. Klokos (or Fteri) is a small isolated mountain with a maximum altitude of 1779 m and several other peaks such as Vromovrysi (1119 m), Louros (1112 m), Paliopyrgos (1363 m), Pelenikos (1405 m) and Polyrizo (1275 m). It is characterized by the same geological susbstrates as Mt. Marmpas.On its lower northern part, agricultural land exists covered mainly by olive trees. North of the monastery of Agioi Taxiarches (Moni Pammegiston Taxiarchon) an extensive Pinus halepensis forest grows covering the majority of the northern and western part of the mountain up to an altitude of 800-900 m. Close to this monastery at the place of Agios Leontios old monastery, vertical conglomerate cliffs exist with many caves where many important birds find refuge. On these cliffs we find small populations of the endemic plant species Asperula arcadiensis, Campanula topaliana subsp. cordifolia accompanied by Onosma frutescens, Aurinia saxatilis, Aethionema saxatilis etc.The shrub layer, which grows under the pine trees is largely composed of maquis comprising chracteristic species such as Quercus coccifera, Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea media, Arbutus unedo, A. adrachne, Laurus nobilis, Cercis siliquastrum and Crataegus monogyna as well as scattered trees of Ostrya carpinifolia and Acer sp. In places where the shruby vegetation is sparse, phrygana comprising Cistus creticus, C. salviifolius, Satureja graeca, Ballota acetabulosa, Hypericum empetrifolium etc. is present. The appearance of solitary Abies cephalonica trees among the maquis and the Pine forest begins from about 750 m altitude. In the higher altitudes, Abies cephalonica forest extents up to about 1400 m. Many dried trees are observed in this area. The Abies cephalonica forest is more common in the eastern part of Klokos, above the villages of Pyrgaki and Fteri, as well as near the village of Ano Mavriki on the southern side of the mountain. In the habitat class N17 (Coniferous woodland) Abies cephalonica forest cover has been taken into consideration. The higher part of this side is characterized by open grasslands, which are overgrazed. In these grasslands, Asphodeline lutea predominates. On the bare limestone rocks of the peak, typical species of rocky habitas such as Aubrieta deltoidea s.l., Geranium subcaulescens and the Peloponnesian endemic Aurinia moreana exist. Selinountas river, which flows from the area of the village of Vlassia has cut a steep, deep gorge between Mts. Marmpas and Klokos. The main rocky susbtrate of the gorge is conglomerate. This gorge is of large importance for the wild flora and fauna. At the bottom of the gorge by the riverside there are stands of Platanus orientalis mixed with Salix alba, S. eleagnus and S. fragilis.This riparian vegetation follows the riverbed almost along its entire length. |
