GR4330009 - OROS PSILOREITIS (NOTIODYTIKO TMIMA)

Code
GR4330009
Type
SPA
First compilation date
01/10/2001
Date site proposed as SCI
22/05/2014
Date site confirmed as SCI
22/05/2014
Date site designated as SAC
22/05/2014
National legal reference of SAC designation
01/10/2001
01/05/2009

Map

Photos of the site

Quality

An important site for breeding and passage raptors. Species of concern include: Gyps fulvus, Aquila chrysaetos and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax.

Other characteristics

Psiloreitis (Idi Oros) is one of the three major mountain ranges of Crete. The highest peak is 2,456m (Timios Stavros). Southern slopes are steep. Limestone, dolomite and gneiss are the dominant rocks.Psiloreitis is the "drainage basin" of central Crete. Phrygana and maquis shrubs are dominant up to 1.600m a.s.l. Groves of prickly-oaks (Quercus coccifera) are spread within the site. Pine groves (Pinus brutia) occur at the south slopes while cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and maple trees (Acer sempervirens) are scattered up to 1,700m a.s.l., only occasionally forming small groves. Above 1,700m vegetation is patchy with low bushes of spiny plants. Many taxa that characterise these formations are Cretan endemics (Asperula idaea, Centaurea idaea, etc.). Human activities occur since early Neolithic times. There are several archaeological sites.

Documentation

Heath, M. F. and Evans, M. I., eds. 2000. Important Bird Areas in Europe: Priority sites for conservation. 2: Southern Europe. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 8, p. 791.

Reference: Natura 2000 data form, database release 7 Feb 2014