Nature protection and biodiversity - Why care? (Cyprus)

There has been great concern about biodiversity loss and the extinction of species worldwide. This loss of biodiversity, at the levels of ecosystems, species and genes, is of major concern, not only due to the fundamental value of nature, but also because it results in a decline in the ‘ecosystem services’ which natural systems provide. These services include production of food, fuel, fibre and medicines, regulation of water, air and climate, maintenance of soil fertility and cycling of nutrients. The recent Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) highlighted that most of those services are in decline, both in the EU and globally. Humanity is wasting the Earth’s natural capital and putting at risk the ability of ecosystems to sustain future generations. This can only be reversed with substantial changes in policies and practices.

Biodiversity loss occurred all over Europe, as a result of the rapid growth of tourism, land use changes, infrastructure development, urbanization, deforestation and agriculture abandonment. Ecosystem destruction and overexploitation through agriculture, fisheries, forestry has resulted in excessive species extinction.

Cyprus lies at the easternmost end of the Mediterranean basin, at the crossroads of the Europe, Asia and Africa and it is widely considered as a biodiversity hotspot. The natural environment of the island, the ecosystems and the fauna and flora, are the result of evolution, affected by the particular climatic and geological conditions, the adjacency with the three continents (Europe, Asia, Africa), the island’s long-lasting isolation and the effects of human activities.

The island is characterized by a distinct mosaic of landscapes, where the particular microclimatic and topographic characteristics, the diversity of vegetation, forested and agricultural land contribute to the creation of variable types of biotopes which satisfy the requirements of many types of organisms. The flora and fauna of the island is adapted to the various natural biotopes and climatic conditions, resulting in a large number of endemic and rare species. However, a number of rare as well as endemic species are threatened with extinction, which can only be protected with the implementation of legislation, suitable management measures and the right-decision making. 

The National Ecological Network ‘Natura 2000’ was initiated in Cyprus in 1999, in order to protect natural habitats and species and extend them by managing and preventing degradation. The Natura 2000 network is an integral part of the European Ecological Network, which aims to the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. In order to implement the Habitat Directive 92/43/EC and Birds Directive 79/409/EC, Cyprus proceed to the designation of 39 Sites of Community Interest (SCI) and 28 Special Protected Areas (SPA).  

The designated areas, are representative of the mountainous regions (e.g. the mountain range of Troodos), the coastal regions (e.g. cape Akama), the wetlands (e.g. the Larnaka saltmarsh) and cover the types of ecotopes and the species of the Annexes of the Directive 92/43/EC. The status of the fauna and flora is summarized as:

• 150 taxa or 111 endemic plants, 7.3% of total plant species.
• 39 mammals, 375 birds (~50 residents and ~325 migratory, 2 endemic and 4 sub-endemic species), 24 reptiles (1 endemic and 6 sub-endemic), 3 amphibians, 200 fish, and >5,000 insects.
• 18.68% of national territory covered with forests (12.84% public ownership, 5.84% private).
• 3.63% of national territory covered with makki (4.85% public ownership, 8.78% private).
• 9.48% of national territory covered with garigue (2.67% public ownership, 6.81% private).
• 328 threatened plant species (Summary of the results of plant evaluation of the Red Data Book of the flora of Cyprus).