Establishment of a Plant Micro-reserve Netwrok in Cyprus for the Conservation of Priority Species and Habitats
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Arabis kennedyae
Arabis Kennedyae Meikle
Conservation status: En (B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv))
Protection status: 92/43/EEC Directive (Annex II - priority species), Bern Conversion (Appendix I - strictly protected)
Description:
Erect annual or biennial herb, 5-15 (-30) cm high. Endemic to Cyprus, currently known from three locations: Kryos Potamos (21 plants), southwest of Chionistra (4500 plants) and Cedar Valley (600 plants), all proposed Natura 2000 sites, on igneous rocky grounds, in forest openings, at altitude 1200-1870 m. Apparently extinct at Xerokolympos due to road improvement.
Flowering period: April - May
Fruiting period: April - June
Seed dispersal period: June - August
Threats:
1. Recreation activities and disturbance of natural habitats (plant collection).
2. Genetic erosion - Reduction of genetic variability (isolated subpopulations + small subpopulations size).
3. Fire (the risk of fire is quite high during summer in the Pafos forest).
4. Limited public awareness.
The project will target one of the three known subpopulations of this species, which is located at Tripylos Mountain ( KOILADA KEDRON - KAMBOS site). This subpopulation consists of approximately 600 individuals.
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