Vikos–Aoös National Park

Coordinates: 39°58′10″N 20°43′41″E / 39.96944°N 20.72806°E / 39.96944; 20.72806
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Vikos-Aoos National Park
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Vikos-Aoos Geopark
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Vikos-Aoös National Park
Greek Ministry of Agriculture)
Map

The Vikos–Aoös National Park (

coniferous and deciduous forest. The park is part of the Natura 2000 ecological network and one of UNESCO Geoparks and spans an elevation range from 550 to 2,497 meters (1,804 to 8,192 ft).[1] Over 100,000 people visit the park each year and take part in activities including rafting, canoe-kayaking, hiking and mountain biking.[2]

The core of the park, an area of 3,400 hectares (8,402 acres),

Mt Tymphe (2,497 meters (8,192 ft) at Gamila peak), and a number of traditionally preserved settlements form the park's peripheral zone. The park's remoteness and relatively small human population, combined with the great variation of biotopes and microclimatic conditions favors the existence of a rich variety of flora (1,800 species) in the area.[3][4] Vikos–Aoös National Park supports a wide diversity of fauna,[5] with a plethora of large mammals such as the brown bear, for which the park is one of the last European strongholds, and a variety of natural habitats and ecosystems that rank it among the most valuable parks for nature conservation in Greece.[6]

The first evidence of human presence in the area is dated between 17,000 and 10,000 years ago. The area of the park has been sparsely populated throughout historical times, however from the 17th to the 19th century the local communities of

folk medicine.[7] In recent decades, ecotourism is seen as a remedy to the economic decline of heavily depopulated local settlements, while preserving the natural environment and local architecture.[8]

Geography and geology

Vikos Gorge

Main article: Vikos Gorge
Panoramic view of a deep gorge with grey and white cliffs and a man standing on the foreground, bottom left.
Panoramic view of Vikos Gorge

The Vikos Gorge is located on the southern slopes of

Guinness Book of Records as the deepest canyon in the world in proportion to its width,[12] though some gorge lobbyists contest that claim.[13] Steep slopes and precipitous rocky cliffs dominate in the middle and higher zones respectively. Numerous gullies dissect both sides of the gorge and the weathering action of water down its walls creates extended screes.[9]

The Vikos Gorge has been carved over millions of years by the

Aoös. The Voidomatis is mostly seasonal, with year-round flow occurring only in the lower part of the gorge.[9] Due to its nature, the area of the gorge is precipitous and impassable most of the year.[14]

As the Vikos Gorge is a deep cross section of the mountain, its slopes expose a series of rock formations of various ages. The upper layers, at a depth of 0–200 m (660 ft), consist of relatively young

Middle Pleistocene.[16] The final phase of glacial activity probably occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum, between 22,000 and 20,000 ago.[17]

A special feature of the limestone, resulting from its weathering by water, is its

interstadial periods, more effective coupling occurred between the surface drainage network and the internal karst drainage system.[19] Since limestone dissolves as the water percolates through its pores, an extended underground drainage system has developed, with caves and channels that enlarge with time when their roofs collapse, producing rocky exposures and perpendicular slopes, which is also the reason why the water is scarce. Only when an impenetrable stratum is met, does water appear on the surface.[18]

Mt Tymphe
in the background

Aoös Gorge

In the northern part of the Park, and very close to the town of

Mt Tymphe and Raidovouni 1,957 m (6,421 ft), creating the Aoös Gorge that is 10 km (6 mi) long. It has an east–west direction and features numerous stone single-arched bridges from the 17th to 19th centuries, as well as monasteries built in the local architectural style.[20] It is characterized by the great number of secondary gullies and currents,[11] while the southern part of the gorge is steeper than the northern part. Deep and steep ravines within the perpendicular walls carry down into the Aoös large quantities of material resulting from limestone-weathering.[21] The compact dolomites that lie on the bottom of the gorge date to the Early Jurassic period and are the oldest rock formations in the Park. Their age has been determined by means of sea fossils found inside them.[22]

Mt Tymphe

Main article:
Tymfi
A small lake surrounded by alpine pasture with traces of snow and two mountain peaks in the background: center and right.
Drakolimni (Dragonlake), overlooked by Ploskos (center) and Astraka (right) peaks

Between the two gorges lies the

Mt Tymphe. Its maximum depth is 4.95 m (16 ft), while its surface covers 1 ha (2 acres).[24]

A number of

mythology, such as the Hole of Odysseus and Chasm of Epos. These are being studied and explored by caving enthusiasts. The cave of "Provatina" ("Ewe's Cave"), with a depth of 408 m (1,339 ft), one of the deepest worldwide, was first discovered in 1965 by British speleologists of the Cambridge University Caving Club, and has since then been surveyed by a large number of expeditions. The nearby Chasm of Epos, with a depth of 451 m (1,480 ft), drains the water coming from the surrounding plateaus.[25]

Mt Tymphe, across the Astraka-Gamila plateau, and in the upland terrain above the villages of Skamneli and Tsepelovo, where lateral and terminal moraines form major landscape features.[27] Additional forms of glacial deposits, which extend down to 850 m (2,789 ft) above sea level,[28] include rock glaciers and limestone pavements.[17]

Monodendri
, in dense vegetation. Part of the Vikos Gorge is visible in the background

Settlements

There are four villages inside the Vikos–Aoös National Park, and an additional nine near the borders of the peripheral zone. All of these settlements, in the western part of the Zagori region, are sparsely populated with a total population of 1,515 people.[29] The villages have a nucleus-like form, with the houses situated around the central square and interconnected by pathways paved by slate or cobblestone.[30] Historically, all the villages of the Zagori region were connected by a system of paths or small roads and they functioned more like a single entity rather than as separate communities.[31]

The economic affluence of Zagori's past is still reflected in the architecture of the villages,[7] while today the preservation of the local architectural legacy is enshrined in a law which dictates that all buildings in the area must be constructed with local traditional materials and in compliance with local architecture. One of the characteristic features of the National Park is its stone bridges, which were the only connection to the outside world until roads were built in the 1950s.[32] Sixteen of these stone bridges and seven churches in the region have been listed as protected historical monuments.[33]

Climate

The climate of the Vikos–Aoös National Park is

precipitation, high in the winter months and experiencing a drought period of two to three months in summer. The continental climatic element is attributed to the high amplitude of annual temperature variation, to such a degree that the difference between mean maximum and mean minimum annual temperature, exceeds 40 °C (104 °F).[34] The climate of the area is quite unique due to the complex relief, variation in altitude, and the position of the area with regard to the Ionian Sea coastline.[35] The mean annual temperature and annual precipitation are 11.9 °C (53 °F) and 1,100.9 mm (43.34 in) respectively. Extremely low temperatures occur in the area during the winter months. Compared to Mediterranean bioclimatic divisions, the area belongs to the humid zone with cold winters.[34][36]

Climate data for Vikos–Aoös National Park
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.7
(38.7) 		4.0
(39.2) 		6.1
(43.0) 		9.0
(48.2) 		15.4
(59.7) 		18.7
(65.7) 		22.0
(71.6) 		21.1
(70.0) 		18.1
(64.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		7.8
(46.0) 		4.5
(40.1) 		11.9
(53.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 110.4
(4.35) 		108.3
(4.26) 		89.4
(3.52) 		108.9
(4.29) 		68.8
(2.71) 		52.4
(2.06) 		36.9
(1.45) 		36.7
(1.44) 		60.1
(2.37) 		128.8
(5.07) 		156.8
(6.17) 		143.4
(5.65) 		1,100.9
(43.34)
Source: [36]

Wildlife

A small village in the middle of dense vegetation. Huge cliffs can be seen on the background right.
The village of Vikos (center), in dense vegetation lying below Astraka peak

The park's varied geology and topography have resulted in a unique variety of

subalpine grasslands and rocky cliffs. This habitat is found above 1,500 m (4,921 ft) altitude and hosts rare bird species such as the Mediterranean golden eagle
.

Flora

The forests are composed of diverse species of

juniper species, such as Juniperus communis, foetidissima, oxycedrus and excelsa. In the upper hills Juniperus foetidissima dominates, with exceptionally high (more than 10 m (33 ft)) trees. At higher altitudes, pure conifer forests of either pine or fir are found.[41]

Studies on the non-vascular flora recorded the presence of about 150

Mentha spicata, the gas-plant Dictamnus albus, St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum, absinth Artemisia absinthium, the very popular Sideritis raeseri, known colloquially in Greece as “mountain tea”, and the elder bush Sambucus nigra.[44] A chemical screening of these native plant species has shown that a high number of them are characterized by biologically active ingredients.[42] A collection of 2,500 dried species of local plants and herbs is exhibited in the local natural history museum in the village of Koukouli.[45]

Fauna

The Alpine newt stands on a rocky surface.
Triturus Alpestris. Its presence is associated with local folktales about dragons.

The Vikos–Aoös National Park preserves one of the richest mountain and forest ecosystems in terms of wildlife diversity in Greece.

Mt Tymphe, with the latter being quite rare.[1][46] The Pindus range, of which Vikos–Aoös is part, is home to the endangered brown bear and lynx, and is also the southernmost point of their European habitat.[47] One of the park's special attractions is the existence of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), a rare species that lives at higher altitudes far from human activity, especially on the rocky cliffsides of the gorges,[47] for example in Megas Lakos, a secondary ravine of the Vikos Gorge.[46][48]

A total of 121 bird species have been observed in the park, with twenty-six of them being considered of conservation priority. The area hosts fifteen

griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon and common kestrel, that search for food in a wider zone.[49]

A small frog on the side of a river sitting on brown sand.
A tiny frog in the river Aoos

The Vikos-Aoös area also contains a variety of suitable habitats that support dense populations of amphibians and reptiles.

ecotones, which often includes very specialized species.[46]

Human history

A three arched stone bridge stands over a small torrent.
Plakidas bridge, a three arched stone bridge near the village of Kipoi[51]

The first evidence of human presence in the area is dated to between 17,000 and 10,000 years ago. During this period, favorable climatic conditions prevailed that permitted the hunting of the

Monodendri and Vitsa, including stone houses and two cemeteries that have yielded important findings.[53] However, for most of the historical period the local population was sparse. The land was mainly used for pastoralism and supplying firewood.[54]

In the era of Ottoman rule, and especially from the 17th to the 19th century, the local

herbal healing by the so-called Vikos doctors developed and flourished. This was accompanied by an impressive cultural and intellectual life that produced many renowned scholars and benefactors of Greece.[7]

The area is nowadays sparsely populated as the result of urbanization after World War II. Many of the dwellings now remain shut, while abandonment of the traditional rural economy has affected the cultural landscape.[10] Epirus, of which Vikos–Aoös is part, is considered one of the most underdeveloped regions in Greece. Tourism constitutes the principal source of revenue for the local economy, although it has a highly seasonal character. Intense development in terms of accommodation and tourism infrastructure occurred in the 1980s, mainly through state initiatives.[57]

Park management

A small pool on a rocky surface.
Natural pools near Papingo

The Vikos–Aoös area was designated as a

Greek Government to conserve the richness of the local fauna and flora and the geological formations of the area.[1]

The administration and management of the Vikos–Aoös National Park belongs to two district forest offices, supervised by a forest directorate at the prefecture level. Moreover, the office of

wildfires which threaten the local flora and fauna. Another issue is the impact of tourism in recent decades. On the other hand, extreme geophysical conditions make the construction and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure network, mainly access routes and telecommunications, difficult.[58]

A group of hikers walking along a river among Platanus orientalis trees
Hikers walking along the Voidomatis river

The vast area of the National Park and the present lack of road infrastructure make remote sensing the only means for monitoring the human activities in the area and their impact on the ecosystem. An analysis has begun by taking a detailed picture of the territory covering at least the following items: orography and slopes, road networks, land cover and use, human settlements, and tourist sites. The use of remote sensing and geographic information system techniques is of essential value for the park's management and constitutes the basis for further evaluations and impact analysis.[58]

The objective of the present state and regional policy is to carefully combine tourism development in the area with the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage. Ecotourism poses an ideal solution, since it has the potential of bringing about the desired balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection.[57] Specific objectives of ecotourism development include reviving traditional activities such as small-scale farming and stock-raising,[59] as well as establishing a network of communities of chamois biotopes.[60]

Recreation

A team of rafters is standing on the bank of a river.
Rafters on the bank of the Voidomatis

The Vikos–Aoös National Park is a natural tourist attraction, with high ecotourism and

agrotourism potential.[61] The local tourism industry has been favored by national and European funds and provides modest accommodation and tourism services, respectful towards the local tradition and culture.[8] Characteristically, the Federation of Nature and National Parks of Europe (FNNPE) stated that "the need for a sustainable form of tourism has never been greater in the area".[61]

The rivers in the Vikos–Aoös area are a destination for

Mt Tymphe.[62] Several lookouts that offer panoramic views of the Vikos Gorge, such as the Oxya and Beloe lookouts and the 15th century Monastery of Saint Paraskevi, are accessible only by foot.[13]

Gallery

  • A small village on the top of a hill and huge cliffs on the background
    Astraka peak (known as 'Astraka towers') over the village Mikro Papingo
  • A small river flowing in dense vegetation
    The Voidomatis river with Astraka peak in the background
  • A Platanus orientalis tree in front of a small river
    Platanus orientalis tree on the bank of the Voidomatis
  • Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
    Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
  • Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
    Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
  • Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
    Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
  • Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
    Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
  • Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
    Landscape in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
  • Butterfly in Vikos–Aoös National Park.
    Butterfly in Vikos–Aoös National Park.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Trakolis 2001, p. 3
  2. ^ a b Papadopoulou 2008, p. 20
  3. ^ Spanopoulou 2001, p. 16
  4. ^ a b c Natura 2000, p. 8
  5. ^ a b c d Amanatidou 2005, p. 28
  6. ^ Papageorgiou 2001, p. 3
  7. ^ a b c Vokou, Katradia, Kokkini 1993, p. 1
  8. ^ a b Amanatidou 2005, p. 41
  9. ^ a b c d Amanatidou 2005, p. 21
  10. ^ a b Amanatidou 2005, p. 17
  11. ^ a b c Hanlidou, Kokkini 1997, p. 2
  12. ^ "Northern Greece: The Pindhos Mountains: A Greentours Natural History Holiday" (PDF). greentours.co.uk. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-10. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  13. ^
    ISBN 978-1-74104-656-4
    .
  14. ^ Natura 2000, p. 10
  15. ^ a b c Amanatidou p. 32
  16. ^ Woodward, Hamlin, Macklin, Hughes, Lewin 2008, p. 64
  17. ^ a b Woodward, Hamlin, Macklin, Hughes, Lewin 2008, p. 49
  18. ^ a b Amanatidou 2005, pp. 21–22
  19. ^ Woodward, Hamlin, Macklin, Hughes, Lewin 2008, p. 63
  20. ^ Papadopoulou 2008, p. 12, 18, 20
  21. ^ Paschos, Nikolaou, Papanikos 2004, p. 18
  22. ^ Paschos, Nikolaou, Papanikos 2004, p. 7
  23. ^ a b Paschos, Nikolaou, Papanikos 2004, p. 15
  24. ^
    doi:10.1016/S1146-609X(03)00043-2
    .
  25. ^ Paschos, Nikolaou, Papanikos 2004, p. 16
  26. ^ Hughes, Gibbard, Woodward 2003, p. 2
  27. ^ Woodward, Hamlin, Macklin, Hughes, Lewin 2008, p. 8
  28. ^ Hughes, Gibbard, Woodward 2003, p. 3
  29. ^ a b Trakolis 2001, pp. 2–3
  30. ^ Amanatidou 2005, p. 36
  31. ^ Vokou, Katradia, Kokkini 1993, p. 8
  32. ^ Drakopoulou 2004, p. 27
  33. ^ Spanopoulou 2001, p. 17
  34. ^ a b Amanatidou 2005, pp. 23–24
  35. ^ Paschos, Nikolaou, Papanikos 2004, p. 5
  36. ^ a b "Papingo meteorological station, 1971-1990 climatic data". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  37. ^ Amanatidou 2005, pp. 29–31
  38. ^ Amanatidou 2005, p. 27
  39. ^ Amanatidou 2005, p. 84
  40. ^ Amanatidou 2005, p. 80
  41. ^ Vokou, Katradia, Kokkini 1993, p. 10
  42. ^ a b Hanlidou, Kokkini 1997, p. 1
  43. ^ Vokou, Katradia, Kokkini 1993, p. 1,8
  44. ^ Vokou, Katradia, Kokkini 1993, pp. 3–8
  45. ISBN 978-1-86011-898-2
    .
  46. ^ a b c Amanatidou 2005, p. 29
  47. ^ a b c Natura 2000: p. 9
  48. ^ Drakopoulou 2004, p. 26
  49. ^ Amanatidou 2005, p. 31
  50. ISBN 978-1-84330-261-2
    .
  51. ^ Papadopoulou 2008, p. 15
  52. JSTOR 25800523
    .
  53. ^ Papadopoulou 2008, p. 14
  54. ^ a b Amanatidou 2005, p. 34
  55. ISBN 978-960-213-371-2
    .
  56. ISBN 978-1-900639-35-4
    .
  57. ^ a b c d Drakopoulou 2004, p. 28
  58. ^
    doi:10.1504/IJRAM.2005.006612. [permanent dead link
    ]
  59. ^ Drakopoulou 2004, p. 29
  60. ^ Drakopoulou 2004, p. 31
  61. ^ a b Trakolis 2001, p. 11
  62. ^ Paschos, Nikolaou, Papanikos 2004, p. 9

Sources

Further reading

External links

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