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The Sounion National Forest (SNF) was founded in 1971. It covers 3500 ha, 750 ha of which is strictly protected area. The decision for the foundation of this National Forest, which is also protected by the Barcelona Convention, was taken because of the ecological, historical, geological and paleontological importance of the area in question: a. The Aleppo pine forest that overdominates the vegetation of the SNF is the most extended and well preserved pine forest in the area of eastern Attica. The importance of that forest for the microclimate of the overpopulated area of Athens is obvious. Also, a great number of plant and animal species find niches in this forest.b. The flora of the SNF is of great interest. Two species are greek endemics only to be found in that particular area: Centaurea laureotica and Centaurea attica ssp. asperula (= C. asperula), their conservation status being vulnerable. Several other greek endemics are to be found here. Also, Lamium garganicum ssp. strictum is a Balkan endemic (south Balkan peninsula). The fauna of the SNF has no particularities, apart from some invertebrates that might prove to be interesting, such as Anthocharis grueneri that it is under protection by the Greek Presidential Decree 67/81.c. The area comprises all three mediterranean ecosystems of Greece, that is the Aleppo pine forests, the continental maquis (Quercus coccifera formations), the littoral maquis (Juniperus formations) and the phrygana. Different successional stages of each type of ecosystem can be seen here. It is because of that variety of ecosystems and successional stages and the fact that the SNF is not far from Athens, that it may serve as an ideal place for environmental educational purposes.d. A large number of minerals have been found in the area of the SNF, some of them being completely new to science. It is this variety of minerals and rocks that enhanced the development of a unique mining industry during the classic period (480 BC).e. Evidence of the welfare of this mining industry in the antiquity can still be seen, as the SNF is full of relicts of ancient mines, labs, houses, sanctuaries and other monuments.f. The area of the SNF has a lot of caves and other carstic formations. Those formations have worked as traps during the various geological periods. The result was the discovery of many fossils, especially at the northern part of the SNF. From the plant fossils found, the most interesting were those of Pinus maritima and Quercus suber, both species that are nowadays absent from the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin, and Pinus nigra, Buxus sempervirens, that now are only restricted to higher elevations.Regarding the animal fossils, a Spalax species that is no more found in Greece, Ursus arctos is extinct from Southern Greece and Cervus elaphus is no more found at the Sounion peninsula.Apart from the SNF, a larger area that includes the SNF was nominated as Area of Archaeological and Historical Interest and as a Site of Particular Natural Beauty. The SNF is only a part of the present site. We propose that the protected area should be extended to the south, in order to include the area around the temple of Sounion, the marine area between the Sounion peninsula and the islet of Patroclos as well as the islet itself. The marine area mentioned above bears Posidonia oceanica beds in excellent condition. It is urgent to protect that habitat from the constantly increasing pollution in the Saronikos gulf. The islet of Patroklos is included in the proposed areas as, because of its geographical position (as well as the SNF), it provides resort to all migrating birds passing above the Sounion peninsula. Also, the numerous marine caves along the coast of both the Sounion peninsula and Patroclos islet, can be an excellent refugee for the monk seal. The flora of the area, though not yet studied, may prove to be interesting.The present site in general should be protected and at least the present status should not be withdrawn, as the claims for land from individuals put all the habitats under immense peril.OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES WITH MOTIVATION DExplanations are given in the above text. |
