Περιγραφή Τόπου |
Mediterranean matorral, phrygana and tall maquis formations, develop mainly at the lower slopes of the mountain. The phrygana (habitat type 5420) are characterized by rockroses (Cistus sp.), thyme (Corydothymus capitatus), sage (Salvia fruticosa) and spurges. Holm oak (Quercus ilex) arborescent matorral and forest extend at several parts of the site, especially at N-facing slopes. Their understorey is characterissd by shrubs such as the sumach (Rhus cotinus), maples (Acer spp.), terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) and by typical maquis shrubs, kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), lentisc (Pistacia lentiscus). The kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) dominates the maquis at drier stations. Quercus pubescens also forms pure stands at places. Other shrubs participating in the maquis are wild roses (Rosa sp.), strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo, Arbutus adrachne), hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifollia), spanish broom (Spartium junceum), honeysuckls (Lonicera sp.).A large part of the site is covered by conifer forest ecosystems. At the lower altitudes there are natural aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests (habitat type 9540). At the higher altitudes Pinus nigra (habitat type 9536) and Abies cephalonica (the endemic greek fir) form pure (at the most part) and also mixed forests. The black pine forests develop on dolomitic substrates. Notably, there is no intermingling with other black pine varieties since no reforestation has ever taken place in the area. Typical species in the fir forests are Helleborus cyclophyllus, Doronicum orientale, Cephalanthera rubra as well as Juniperus oxycedrus and the rather rare in Greece Ilex aquifolium. The oaks occasionally participate in the understorey while there occur various transitional zones with mixed conifer and oak forest stands. Juniperus oxycedrus also dominates in arborescent matorral (habitat type 5211) at the lower margins of the zone of the fir forest.Mountain grasslands, with a large variety of herbs and grasses as well as with abundant spiny shrubs such as Prunus spinosa and Crataegus monogyna, develop at forest openings, at altitudes circa 1000 m, on limestone and flysch. Plants participating in this vegetation are Filipendulla vulgaris, Geranium macrostylum, Papaver albiflorum, Anemone blanda and several orchids, crocuses and violets. These grasslands are: Semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia) (*important orchid sites). At bare rock at places such as Saroma, Kastraki, Psarou, Elafovouni, Vrachovouni there develops chasmophytic vegetation, typically with Campanula spp. (habitat type 8219), as well as scree vegetation (habitat type 8140).In ravines, at stream and torrent banks, an azonal vegetation develops with hydrophilous or shade-loving species, such as Ranunculus ficaria, Aristolochia pallida, A. rotunda, Juncus spp. and reeds. Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) riverine woods (habitat type 92C0) exist at several sites such as Panagia, the ravines between Panagia-Mendenitsa and others. There are two natural temporary ponds in the site, a larger one at Souvala (4 ha at 1.000 m) and a smaller one at Nevropolis (2 ha at 1.100 m). There develops typical vernal pool vegetation (habitat type 3170) with species such as Myosurus minimus, Polygonum aviculare, Juncus bufonius, Ranunculus lateriflorus, Gnafalium uliginosum, Mentha cervina, Isoetes heldreichii. |