Pindus National Park

Coordinates: 39°54′N 21°07′E / 39.900°N 21.117°E / 39.900; 21.117
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Pindus National Park (Valia Calda)
Greek Ministry of Agriculture)
Map

Pindus National Park (

Epirus, in the northeastern part of the Pindus mountain range. It was established in 1966 and covers an area of 6,927 hectares (17,120 acres).[1] The park's core zone, 3,360 hectares (8,300 acres), covers the greatest part of the Valia Calda valley and the slopes of the surrounding peaks.[2]

The national park has an elevation range from 1,076 to 2,177 metres (3,530 to 7,142 ft) and is characterized by dense forests of

common beech, rocky ridges, several peaks over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), rapid streams and mountain lakes. The area belong to the wider Pindus Mountains mixed forests ecoregion
and is a representative part of Pindus mountain range.[3] Moreover, it belongs to the Natura 2000 ecological network of protected areas and is one of the three places in Greece that hosts a population of brown bears.

Geography

The park lies on the borders of Grevena and Ioannina regional unit, north of the town of Metsovo[4] and near the villages of Vovousa, Perivoli and Milea. There are no settlements or any facilities inside the protected area's borders.[5][6]

Several peaks reach an altitude of over 2,000 m (6,600 ft); these include Avgo, 2,177 m (7,142 ft), Kakoplevri, 2,160 m (7,090 ft), Flegga, 2,159 m (7,083 ft), Tria Sinora, 2,050 m (6,730 ft) and Aftia, 2,082 m (6,831 ft).[6]

The underlying rock formations are mainly serpentine and they support a specialized range of plants.[5]

Climate

The park's climate is

montane and varies according to elevation and aspect. Annual rainfall ranges 1,000 to 1,800 mm (39 to 71 in), whereas mean monthly temperatures vary between 0.9 to 21.4 °C (33.6 to 70.5 °F).[7]

Biology

Flora

Lilium chalcedonicum in Pindus National Park
Fire salamander in Pindus National Park

The park was created in 1966 and considered one of the most important protected areas for the maintenance of mountainous biodiversity and ecosystem integrity at the national level.

alpine meadows.[6] Additionally, the dry places and the lower parts of the valley are characterized by the domination of Buxus sempervirens, while some individuals of Abies borisii-regis are scattered among the Pinus nigra and Fagus sylvatica forests.[2]

In total, 415 types of plants and 86 species of mushroom are recorded in the area. A number of local flower types are considered endemic to the Balkans, such as Dianthus deltoides and Allium breviradum. On the other hand, many endemic plants of central and northern Greece grow also in the park, like the Centaurea vlachorum.[10] Moreover, rare species of the forests of Pindus mountains, typical of the lower geological layers, are Minuartia baldacci, Bornmuellera tymphaea, Campanula hawkinsiana, Viola dukadjinica and Silene pindicola.[6] The most important places for the gathering of rare plants are the northern slopes of the peaks of Aftia, Flegga and Kapetan Kleidi. All the above places are very steep and difficult for grazing animals and therefore natural regeneration of the forest in this area is progressing normally and many rare plants are conserved. The serpentine soil, which is dominant in the area of the Pindus National Park also favors the growing of rare endemic plant species.[2]

Fauna

The national park is one of three areas in Greece that hosts a population of Eurasian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos),[11] which is considered a conservation priority species.[12] The region itself is also called "bear park".

wolves, beech martens, wild boars and red squirrels are present in the area all year round.[15] On the other hand, the Balkan chamois
(Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), a Balkan endemic species, is found on the steep and rocky

parts of the park, as well as in areas with beech forests. Its population density fluctuates between 3-5 and even 20 individuals per 100 ha (250 acres) depending on the habitat productivity.[16] The three small rivers crossing the area of the park have very clear water and are the well conserved habitat of the otter.[16]

In the area of the national park up to five types of bat have been reported, with most common being niktovatis (Nyctalys noctula).[6] Moreover, it provides shelter for than 80 species of birds,[9] such as 10 types of rare bird species including the eastern imperial eagle, golden eagle, Levant sparrowhawk and the lanner falcon, which indicates the ornithological importance of the area.

shore lark (Eremophilla alpestris), found in the alpine meadows, and the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), which migrates in the summer from Africa. The dense and mature forests of the area host eight types of woodpecker, including the white-backed, the middle spotted, the lesser spotted and the black woodpecker.[6]

Management

The mountains in Pindus National Park

Since 2003, the park is under the administrative authority of the 'Northern Pindus Management Body'.[18] This authority is responsible for the ecological management of a much larger region that includes eight protected areas in Greece, also part of the Natura 2000,[8] an initiative by the governments of the European Union that aims to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe.[19] The 'Northern Pindus Management Body', together with the local forest service, is responsible for regulating human activities and maintaining the ecological value of the protected area. However, until now this target remains elusive, because of a lack of expertise and of a science-based management plan. A great need therefore exists to conduct conservation-oriented research that can be translated directly into practical management proposals.[8]

The core of the national park has been declared a 'biogenetic reserve' zone by the

hydroelectric power plant. This initiative will have a negative impact on the park since a great part of the existing forest area will be covered by water, resulting in the reduction of the core zone. Another danger is the high grazing pressure in the core area,[1][13][16] while a number of small coal-producing units at the outskirts of the park have raised a lot of concern.[20]

Recreation

Pindus National Park is considered as one of the least visited and least known national parks in Europe and it is not signposted from the main roads of the region.[5] The area offers opportunities for hiking with its dirt roads being in good condition except in winter.[21] The park can be best accessed from north, from the village of Perivoli, while there is also a track from the west side, near Milia.[22] A climbing resort lies near Mavrovouni peak, at a height of 1,950 metres (6,400 ft), which is an ideal base for excursions to the park's area.[9] According to the local legislation, the collection of any kind of organism is not allowed, while camping and staying in the park's core after the setting of the sun is prohibited. Additional restrictions include the lighting of fires, while activities such as kayaking and rafting need a special clearance from the local forestry.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "GR068 Valia Calda (Pindos National Park)" (HTTP). Hellenic Ornithological Society. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
  2. ^ a b c Natura 2000: p. 9
  3. ^ "Pindus Mountains mixed forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
  4. ISBN 978-1-86011-898-2
    .
  5. ^ a b c Gibbons (2003): p. 42
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Valia Calda refuge. Archived 2008-09-05 at the Wayback Machine Vovousa. X. Papaioanou.
  7. ^ a b Kati 2009: p. 3
  8. ^ a b c Kati 2009: p. 2
  9. ^ a b c "Prefecture of Ioannina, Epirus-Greece" (PDF). Prefectural Committee of Tourist Promotion. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2006. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
  10. ^ Tsunis 1988: p. 1
  11. ^ "Bear newsletter" (PDF). WWF-life. p. 3. Archived from the original (FTP) on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  12. ^ "Sustainable Management and Development of Mountainous and Island Areas" (PDF). Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources. Democritus University of Thrace. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  13. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7146-4584-1
    .
  14. ^ Tsunis 1988: p. 3
  15. ^ Gibbons (2003): p. 43
  16. ^ a b c d Natura: p. 10
  17. ^ Tsunis 1988: p. 2
  18. ^ Natura 200: p. 14
  19. ^ "Natura 2000: Networking Programme" (HTTP). natura.org. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
  20. S2CID 1139922
    .
  21. ISBN 978-1-86011-898-2
    .
  22. ^ Gibbons (2003): p. 44

Sources

External links

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