Filenews 24 June 2022 - by Pavlos Neophytou, Photos: George Constantinou
In the spotlight these days is the Akamas Peninsula and its unique biodiversity, due to public controversies over the revised Local Plan prepared by the government. On the occasion of the discussion about whether or not the environment is undisturbed until today, we turned to the well-known naturalist and president of the Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of Cyprus, George Constantinou, to talk to us about the natural wealth of the area, gleaning "diamonds" from his visits.
The area is a well-preserved land and marine ecosystem, the ecological value of Akamas stems from the diversity of the landscape, forests, small streams, valleys, caves, canyons, sandy beaches, rocky shores and islets, stresses George Constantinou and adds:
Fauna
The terrestrial fauna includes several species of bats and another 29 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. All wild land and flying mammals of the Akamas are nocturnal. Foxes, hares, hedgehogs, rodents and bats are the mammals of the Akamas. The Monk seal monk (Monachus monachus) appears from time to time in the seas of the Akamas and most likely reproduces there in remote sea caves. We also meet the well-known nocturnal, who is in danger of extinction.
Plants
The area is home to about 650 plant taxa (40% of the indigenous people), including 43 endemic, which account for 30% of the total number of endemic plants in Cyprus, which is 142. Also four rare endangered plants, centaurea akamantis, Tulipa akamasica, Arbutus unedo and Bellium minutum, found only in Akamas. Moreover, of the 48 species of orchids that exist in Cyprus, in Akamas we find 33.
Three main forests
There are three main forests, the Akamas Forest, the Pegeia Forest and the Meletis Forest. The terrestrial vegetation is dominated by scrub with Invisible (Juniperus phoenicea) and pine forests (Pinus brutia). Also quite widespread are the brushwood, the olive and carob forests and the scrub. The low forest of Akamas reaches the shore. Private agricultural land is mainly covered by vineyards, carob trees, olives, almond trees and seasonally.
Microcosm
Hundreds of species of insects, spiders and many other species of the microcosm are found in Akamas, many of them endemic. Of the 52 species of butterflies that exist in Cyprus, 41 are found in Akamas. There are also hundreds of species of moths. In the Gorge of Avakas we meet the rare for Cyprus nightdream Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria). It is the well-known butterfly of Rhodes, which is included in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC, as a priority species. Moreover, many species of land snails are found in Akamas, many of which are endemic, such as the rare Assyriella bellardii.
Biodiversity of freshwaters
The fresh waters of the Akamas springs have their own biodiversity. Four species of gastropods and a kind of bivalve live in the running waters of the Akamas, such as the Melanopsis praemorsa, a shell that lives only in clear running waters and not in lakes. The sources of the Akamas are sources of life, as all the living quench their thirst from them. In the Baths of Aphrodite there are all 4 species of gastropods, as well as eels. There are also Eels (Anquilla anquilla) in the Gorge of Avakas. Many species of insects, such as dragonflies, breed in the fresh waters of the Akamas, as all three species of amphibians (frogs) of Cyprus are also present in Akamas.
250 species of birds – Thousands of migratory species pass
The total number of bird species recorded in the area is about 250. The area offers shelter to 55 permanent species, 179 migratory and another 16 important species. Thousands of migratory birds pass through the Akamas Peninsula during the period of bird migration, as the Akamas is one of the most important corridors of migratory birds. Of the six endemic and endemic subspecies of birds that exist in Cyprus, three meet and nest in Akamas.
On the islet of Agios Georgios
On the small island of Agios Georgios near the Baths of Aphrodite reproduces the species of seagull Silver gull of the Mediterranean - Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis). The islet is located about 800 meters from the coast, with natural pits and low vegetation. Gulls build their nests in the ground under low bushes.
Reptiles
Of the twenty-three species of reptiles found in Cyprus, twenty live in Akamas. Specifically, all eleven species of lizards that exist in Cyprus are found in Akamas and of the nine species of snakes that exist in Cyprus, seven exist in Akamas. Two species of sea turtles, the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the common turtle (Caretta caretta) give birth and reproduce mainly on the sandy beaches of Lara and Toxeftra.
Akamas is one of the last strongholds of the wonderful biodiversity of our country and its protection should be a political priority, concludes George Constantinou.
