Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Protected Areas under implementation of the Habitats Directive now covers 752.26 km 2 of terrestrial and 130.18 km 2 of marine areas [ ] 88 Protected Areas in Cyprus Cyprus is a biodiversity hotspot area, with 42 habitat types of Annex I of the Habitats Directive, 92/43/EEC, rich in plant and animal species, with 39 species — 18 plant and 21 animal — of Annex II of the Habitats direc- tive of which 14 are priority species. The island is also a mosaic of biot- opes, with extensive natural conifer- ous forests and expansion of phry- gana. The ecosystems consist of high forest, shrubs, traditional cultivated orchard trees and vineyards, con- stituting important habitats for rare plants. Biodiversity in Cyprus has not been fully assessed, but within the scope of the Natura 2000 Network, a monitor scheme has been initiated. High forests cover approximately 17 per cent of the island, extending mainly on the Troodos and Penta- dactylos ranges, whereas the lower hills are covered by shrubs, maquis, phrygana, and cultivations as well as built-up areas. The plains, like the Mesaoria plain and the coastal zones are covered by cultivations — approx- imately 45 per cent of the island — and settlements, with areas of natural to semi-natural vegetation types. Protected Areas (PAs) under imple- mentation of the Habitats Directive now cover 752.26 km 2 terrestrial and 130.18 km 2 marine areas. PAs, play a pivotal role in protecting biodiversity (habitats and species), but also in raising awareness. The Natura 2000 Network (N2K) is now being visited for leisure and/or for specific interests by an increasing number of people. In order to promote nature and its value, PAs have potential synergies that enable new generations to become familiar with such complex concepts as biodiversity, endangered species, and ecosystem balance. The PAs are now being visited for tourism, recreation and/or for specific interests by an increasing number of both local and foreign visitors. PAs can provide ecosystem services, for example, in the Natura 2000 area, the Akamas Peninsula contributes towards GDP through tourism revenues with approximately US$ 5,750,000 per year. Natural hab- itats and cultivated systems, such as traditional farmland, sustain mainly the farming of goats and sheep as well as regulating and providing ecosystems services. C yprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, situated at its north-eastern corner, being at the crossroads and communication routes of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The island has been largely influenced by its geographic location, climatic conditions and human activities. Its position, its isolation over the centuries from the mainland and its climatic conditions have all led to the creation of a great biological diversity and a significant number of native and endemic species. As an island, Cyprus has developed a strong evolution of endemic elements, whereas surrounded by large continents, it incorporates elements of the neighbouring land masses. About 8.2 per cent of the indigenous plants of the island — 144 different taxa of flora — are endemic to Cyprus. Lara Beach, Cyprus Tom Coe on Unsplash Cyprus