Improving the conservation status of the priority habitat types *1520 and *5220 at the Rizoelia National Forest Park

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Natura 2000 site, Rizoelia National Forest Park, which covers only 0.001% of the surface area of Cyprus, is a hot spot of biodiversity comprising many threatened plants. The site contains four habitat types that are protected under the Habitats Directive, three of which are priority habitats (1520 * Iberian gypsum vegetation (Gypsophiletalia), 5220 * Arborescent matorral with Zyziphus, 5420 Sarcopoterium spinosum phryganas, and 6220 * Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea). It is also home to 179 indigenous species (11% of the indigenous flora of Cyprus) of which 11 are endemic (7.9% of the endemic flora). Furthermore, the site provides habitat for 34 birds (one listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and 33 migratory birds) and 31 important fauna species.

Rizoelia is close to heavily populated areas and has suffered intense human-related pressure over the years. The most harmful impacts relate to the afforestation of the park that took place from 1974 to 1977. Plantations of exotic, invasive species dominate between the fragmented patches of the targeted habitat types. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decrease in the size of two protected habitats (1520 * Iberian gypsum vegetation (Gypsophiletalia) and 5220 * Arborescent matorral with Zyziphus) and leisure infrastructure (e.g. playing fields, picnic sites and parking spaces) has disrupted the continuity of the site. The dense road network also allows vehicles to access all areas of the park. Such fragmentation is having a major impact on the genetic variability of the keystone species and populations in both priority habitats, leading to a reduction in the number of species, mean population sizes and genetic diversity, as well as an increased incidence of inbreeding. These effects can lead to the genetic drift of populations and a loss of species evolutionary potential.

The risk of forest fires is also extremely high in the area due to the long dry season, and such fires can favour the further expansion of the invasive species Acacia saligna. The targeted habitats are also threatened by leisure activities such as asparagus collection, hiking, motoring and motorcycling.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the LIFE-RIZOELIA project was to promote and facilitate the long-term conservation of Arborescent matorral with Zyziphus and gypsum steppes in Cyprus by quantifying and halting natural and human threats to the long-term degradation of these habitats.

The specific objectives of the project were to:

Contribute to the consolidation and dissemination of a knowledge base for the protection, restoration, monitoring and evaluation of these two priority habitat types;

Increase habitat connectivity for Arborescent matorral with Zyziphus;

Reduce the risk of fire affecting both targeted priority habitat types;

Eradicate competitive vegetation for both priority habitats; and

Manage leisure activities and accessibility in the park in a way that is favourable to the conservation of the priority habitats.

RESULTS

The LIFE-RIZOELIA project promoted the long-term conservation of the priority habitat types Arborescent matorral with Zyziphus and gypsum steppes within the Natura 2000 site of Rizoelia National Forest Park, by quantifying and halting natural and anthropogenic pressure and threats that contribute to the long-term degradation of these habitats. It restored 1.97 ha of Ziziphus habitat, a larger area than foreseen, and recreated 1.95 ha of the habitat on a site that was previously a landfill. The project also eradicated Acacia from 42% of the total area it occupied in the Rizoalia NFP. These habitat restoration activities helped reduce the problem of fragmentation in the park.

The project moreover generated know-how on restoration of these habitats through carrying out nursery trials that aimed to reduce the seed mortality rate in Ziziphus. Public awareness and networking activities were successful despite the targeted habitats being home to relatively unpopular and non-emblematic species. The project improved the management of visitors by closing roads and erecting soft fencing.

Given that the targeted habitats are restricted in Europe to southwest and southeast margins of the Mediterranean area (Cyprus, Italy and Spain), the project had a significant impact on their overall conservation status and on implementing European legislation on biodiversity and the connectivity of Natura 2000 sites. It also helped achieve several objectives of the National Biodiversity Strategy of Cyprus, such as the detailed mapping of natural habitat types and the improved scientific knowledge on habitat composition and structure. Furthermore, by increasing the total carbon storage of the study area by 14 247.33 tonnes, the project contributed to climate change mitigation.

The After-LIFE Conservation Plan ensures the continuation of the project activities for the next three to six years, while the monitoring and management plans further ensure long-term conservation aimed at the targeted habitat types. These plans can also be implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus in other Natura 2000 sites. Though localised the project generated innovative knowledge that can be utilised in similar contexts in Spain and Italy, while its methodology and results on minimising the impacts of competitive vegetation are also replicable. The project has already received requests from other authorities in Cyprus for protocols on the eradication of Acacia.

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan/After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).