Surface area (ha): 3294

EU protection status: SPA NATURA 2000 Code : GR 1310002

Other protection status according to national or regional legislation:

GR01 (Core strict nature reserve in National Park) 100% & GR22 (Game refuge) 6%

It has the status of "National Park" proclaimed under Presidential Decree 996/71.

Main land uses and ownership status of the project area:

Owned totally by the Public, the main activities in the site are related to the primary sector and comprise regulated logging and limited grazing.

Scientific description of project area: "Ethnikos Drymos Pindou" (Pindos National Park) is a representative part of the Pindos mountain range. It was established in 1966 and is characterised by dense forests of Pinus nigra and Fagus sylvatica, rocky ridges, high peaks (c. 2000 m.), permanent rapid streams, many springs and three mountain lakes. The site's area includes the core zone of the park, which covers the greatest part of the "Valia Kalda" valley, and the slopes of the surrounding peaks. These peaks form a horseshow round "Valia Kalda" leaving an opening westward. Two small mountain streams, those of "Salatoura" and "Zesto Rema", begin from the valley joining a larger stream called  "Arkoudorema" (Bear-stream), which is one of the main tributaries of the River Aoos. Furthermore, three small mountain lakes exist in the area. The first one, named Lakkos, is situated at an altitude of 1750 m., on the west of the pass "Diaselo Stavros". The other two lakes are located north of the Flega peak at an altitude of about 1930 m. Pinus nigra forests are the dominant vegetation type in the area, beginning from "Arkoudorema" at 1300 m. and reaching up to 1700 m. Fagus sylvatica forests cover the northern slopes up to 1800 m. The presence of Pinus heldreichii is quite remarkable as tit starts growing from 1500 m. to the peaks and usually in solitary individuals. The dry places and the lower parts of the valley are characterised by the domination of Buxus sempervirens. Also, among the trees of Pinus nigra and Fagus sylvatica some individuals of Abies borisii-regis are scattered.

The area is a refuge for many plant and animal species. The most important places for the gathering of rare plants are the northern slopes of the peaks of Aftia, Flega and Kapetan Kleidi. All the above places are very steep and difficult for grazing animals. Therefore in the area the natural regeneration of the forest is progressing normally and many rare plants are conserved. The serpentine soil which is dominant in the area of the Pindos National Park favours the growing of rare Pindos endemic plant species such as Bornmuellera baldacii subsp. rechingeri, B. tymphaea, Silene pindicola and Centaurea vlachorum.

Among the 25 non-bird vertebrate taxa characterized as Other and Greek Important Species (sections 3.3 and 3.4), six are threatened in Greece and are included in the Greek Red Data Book under the categories "Endangered" (the bat species Nyctalus noctula, P. pipistrellus, P. savii), "Vulnerable" (the wolf Canis lupus and the Roe Deer C. capreolus) and "Insufficiently Known" (the mole Talpa caeca).

Additionally, the Wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the wolf (Canis lupus), are present in the site and y are included in the species of the CITES Convention. Most of them are also protected by the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981. Canis lupus is also mentioned in the 1988 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals and in the European Red List of Globally Threatened Animals and Plants (UNEP).

Importance of the project area for biodiversity and the conservation of the species:

The zoological significance of this site is clear because of the occurrence of (10) ten species listed in Annex II of the Directive 92/43/EEC.  Among them the brown bear, Ursus arctos*, listed as priority species. The extensive, dense coniferous and beech forests of this park form one of the important habitat sectors of the brown bear in Pindos.

The Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica, a Balkan endemic, occupies the steep slopes of the targeted site northern but also the beech forests in winter. The population density fluctuates between 3-5 and even 20 individuals/100 ha. depending on the habitat productivity.

The three small rivers crossing the area of the park host the otter Lutra lutra.  All the above mentioned mammals, as well as the bat Myotis blythi also existing in this site, are mentioned in the Greek Red Data Book (bear as "Endangered" Chamois as "Rare" and the rest as "Vulnerable"). Noteworthy is the occurrence of the small viper Vipera ursinii, which is another threatened animal of the Greek fauna considered as "Rare" by the Greek Red Data Book. Pindos mountain range is the southern limit of its distribution in Europe, clearly indicate the local population value and vulnerability.  The fish Salmo macrostigma (S. trutta macrostigma according to Economidis 1991) is also a threatened taxon mentioned in the Greek Red Data Book under the categories of "Rare", "Vulnerable", and "Endangered", depending on the specific population.

Species: Ursus arctos*: The estimated population size in this site is minimum 5 individuals. This sub-population represents the 11.1% of the total Ursus arctos* population (minimum size estimated between 40-50 individuals) present in the project area (important at a regional level).

This site is considered to be a favourable denning zone for Ursus arctos* due to its relatively low disturbance levels and to the suitable topographic configuration: rocky slopes with southern exposure). Furthermore this site is of strategic importance for the species geographic connectivity, as it functions as a linkage area between the core sub-populations of the project area and the other part of the Northern Pindos National Park located westwards.

Habitat types: In this site 9530* covers an important surface of about 1285 ha. This habitat type constitutes the main habitat for the resident Ursus arctos* sub-population.

Furthermore, on ophiolithic substrates, like in the case of this site, 9530* presents a shrub layer dominated by Buxus sempervirens (a Mediterranean species) and a diverse herb layer, which includes many important, rare taxa, e.g. Alyssum heldreichii (greek endemic), Thymus teucrioides subsp. alpinus, Dianthus haematocalyx subsp. pindicola, Fumana bonapartei. This type of black pine forest is considered as a rare one at a regional and national level, since it is restricted only on ophiolitic mountain areas of NW Greece.

Habitat type 6210* is also an important element of this site. It appears with its priority criterium (orchid species) and is under seasonal pressure from grazing (transhumant flocks) and park visitors. It has an interesting species composition (with Daphne oleoides, Galium rotundifolium, Pyrola chlorantha, Potentilla micrantha, Poa nemoralis, Viola reichenbachiana etc.), which includes a number of rare and/or endemic plants, e.g. Leptoplax emarginata, Alyssum heldreichii (greek endemics), Bornmuellera baldacii, Thlaspi tymphaeum,. Cardamine glauca (south Balkan endemics) etc.

Other flora species endemic to Greece are occurring here such as: Allyssum heldreichii, Cerastium vourinense, Silene pindicola and Thlaspi epirotum which are listed in the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981 as well as in the WCMC Plants Database under the category "Rare";

Silene haussknechtii is  included in the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981, and in the WCMC Plants Database as "Vulnerable". Many interesting tree and poa species endemic to the Balkan peninsula also occur in the area such as :  Abies borisii-regis, Aesculus hippocastanum , Alyssum smolikanum and Gymnadenia frivaldii (two very rare species), Campanula hawkinsiana, Dianthus deltoides subsp. degenii, Dianthus haematocalyx subsp. pindicola,  Lilium carniolicum subsp. albanicum (=L. albanicum), Anthemis arvensis subsp. cyllenea, Thymus stojanovii, Dianthus cruentus, Euphorbia glabriflora, Pinus heldreichii, Helleborus cyclophyllus, Herniaria parnassica subsp. parnassica, Festuca koritnicensis,  Linum hologynum, Thymus teucrioides subsp. alpinus, Soldanella pindicola, Stachys scardica, Trifolium pilzii (only locality in Greece), Viola albanica, and Viola dukadjinica (the southernmost site of this species in the Balkan peninsula), Viola epirota and Onosma stellulata (recently discovered in Greece). Myosotis alpestris subsp. suaveolens, Plantago media subsp. pindica, Helictotrichon aetolicum, Hieracium waldsteinii, Allium phtioticum, Polygala alpestris subsp. croatica, Arenaria conferta subsp. serpentinii, Campanula tymphaea, Saxifraga rotundifolia subsp. taygeta, Crepis viscidula subsp. geracioides, Dianthus integer subsp. minutiflorus, Viola aetolica, Aubrieta scardica, Scorzonera purpurea subsp. rosea, Silene damboldtiana, S. schwarzenbergeri, Thlaspi typmphaeum (which has a disjunct distribution in Greece and S. Albania), Trifolium pignantii, Trinia glauca subsp. pindica, Carum graecum subsp. serpentinicum and Galium oreophilum. Aesculus hippocastanum, Alyssum smolikanum, Lilium carniolicum subsp. albanicum (=L. albanicum) and Campanula hawkinsiana alsoe protected by the Greek legislation (Presidential Decree 67/1981).

We should also mention the occurrence of a) Geum coccineum, growing on the mountains of the Balkan peninsula and N. Anatolia, the presence of which in Greece is the southernmost site of this species in the Balkans; b) Aethionema saxatile subsp. oreophilum, occurring in the Balkan peninsula and western Anatolia, c) Atropa belladona, listed in the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981, d) Potentilla geoides which has a widely disjunct distribution in Greece and Crimea, e) Orobanche rechingeri, occurring in C and NW Greece and SW Anatolia, which is the only known serpentine endemic among parastic flowering plants in Europe. It is protected by the Greek Presidentail Decree 67/1981, f) Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii, occurring in the S part of the Balkan peninsula extending to C Anatolia, g) Jovibarba heuffelii, occurring in the eastern Carpathians and the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula.

In 1987 the site was included in the IUCN list of the 12 most vulnerable areas of the world which are in urgent need of protection.

It is worth mentioning that SCI GR1310003 "Ethnikos Drymos Pindou (Valia Kalda) (Evryteri Periochi)" is completely encompassing and containing SPA GR1310002 both in terms of superficies and geographic configuration. Therefore by excluding SPA GR1310002 ("Ethnikos Drymos Pindou") as requested by the Commission, the total surface (6,838 ha) of the remaining SCI GR1310003 does not change and so do the objectives and the scope of the foreseen actions to be implemented inside the aforementioned SCI and which therefore remain eligible.

NATURA 2000 Code : GR 131 0003

National Park. It is protected by the Legislative Decree 996/71. This site partially overlaps

with two game refuges according to the 64080/697/18-7-91ministerial decision and the FEK

522/B/86, respectively.

GR01 (Core strict nature reserve in National Park) 49%, GR12 (Peripheral zone of National

Park) 51% & GR22 (Game refuge) 21%

Main land uses and ownership status of the project area:

Owned totally by the Public, the main activities in the site are related to the primary sector and comprise regulated logging and limited grazing.

Ethnikos Drymos Pindou (Pindos National Park) including the wider area, is a representative part of the Pindos mountain range and one of the greatest and most significant parks in Greece, situated in a isolated mountainous area of SW Macedonia on the northeastern part of the Pindos mountain range. It was established in 1966 and is characterised by dense forests of Pinus nigra and Fagus sylvatica, rocky ridges, high peaks (c. 2000m.), permanent rapid streams, many springs and mountain lakes. The core zone includes the greatest part of the "Valia Kalda" valley and the slopes of the surrounding peaks. These peaks form a horseshow round "Valia Kalda" creating an opening westward. Two small mountain streams, the "Salatoura" and "Zesto Rema", begin from the valley joining a larger stream called the "Arkoudorema", which is one of the main tributaries of the River Aoos. Moreover, several other small mountain streams, from the southern slopes of the valley, flow in the "Arkoudorema" stream. Furthermore, three small mountain lakes exist in the area. The first one, named "Lakkos", is situated at an altitude of 1750 m., on the west of the pass "Diaselo Stavros". The other two are situated on the north of the Flega peak at an altitude of about 1930 m. Pinus nigra forests are the dominant vegetation type in the area, beginning from the Arkoudorema at 1300 m. and reaching up to 1700 m. Fagus sylvatica forests cover the northern slopes, up to 1800 m. The presence of Pinus heldreichii, growing from 1500 m. to the peaks, usually present as solitary individuals, is quite remarkable. The dry place and the lower parts of the valley are characterized by the domination of Buxus sempervirens. Among the trees of Pinus nigra and Fagus sylvatica some individuals of Abies borisii-regis and Pinus sylvestris are scattered

Importance of the project area for biodiversity and the conservation of the species:

The zoological significance of this site is clear because of the occurrence of (10) ten species listed in Annex II of the Directive 92/43/EEC.  Among them the brown bear, Ursus arctos*, listed as priority species. The extensive, dense coniferous and beech forests of this park form one of the important habitat sectors of the brown bear in Pindos.

The Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica, a Balkan endemic, occupies the steep slopes of the targeted site northern but also the beech forests in winter. The population density fluctuates between 3-5 and even 20 individuals/100 ha. depending on the habitat productivity.

Species: Ursus arctos*: The estimated population size in this site is minimum 5 individuals. This sub-population represents the 11.1% of the total Ursus arctos* population (minimum size estimated between 40-50 individuals) present in the project area (regional level). This site is considered to be a high quality denning zone for Ursus arctos* because of its relatively low disturbance levels and the suitable topographic configuration (slope orientation and ruggedness). This site is of strategic importance for the species' geographic connectivity, as it also functions as a linkage area between the core sub-populations of the western and eastern parts of the project area.

Habitat types: In this site the main targeted type 9530* covers an important surface of about 1285 ha. This habitat type constitutes the main habitat for the resident Ursus arctos* subpopulation. Furthermore, on ophiolithic substrates, like in the case of this site, 9530* presents a shrub layer dominated by Buxus sempervirens (a Mediterranean species) and a diverse herb layer, which includes many important, rare taxa, e.g. Alyssum heldreichii (greek endemic), Thymus teucrioides subsp. alpinus, Dianthus haematocalyx subsp. pindicola, Fumana bonapartei. This type of black pine forest is considered as a rare one at a regional and national level, since it is restricted only on ophiolithic mountain areas of NW Greece.

Habitat type 6210* is also an important element of this site. It appears with its priority criterium (orchid species) and is under seasonal pressure from grazing (transhumant flocks) and park visitors.

The serpentine soil which is dominant in the area of the Pindos National Park favours the growing of rare Pindos endemic plant taxa such as Bornmuellera baldacii subsp. rechingeri, B. tymphaea, Silene pindicola.

Other species occurring here, of them, Allyssum heldreichii, Cerastium vourinense, Silene pindicola and Thlaspi epirotum are listed in the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981 as well as in the WCMC Plants Database as "Rare";

Fritillaria and Scorzonera purpurea subsp. peristerica are listed in the WCMC Plant Database as "Rare".

Silene haussknechtii is included in the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981, and in the WCMC Plants Database as "Vulnerable".

Many interesting tree and poa species endemic to the Balkan Peninsula also occur in the area. These are: Abies borisii-regis, Aesculus hippocastanum , Alyssum smolikanum and Gymnadenia frivaldii (two very rare species), Campanula hawkinsiana, Dianthus deltoides subsp. degenii, Dianthus haematocalyx subsp. pindicola,  Lilium carniolicum subsp. albanicum (=L. albanicum), Anthemis arvensis subsp. cyllenea, Thymus stojanovii, Dianthus cruentus, Euphorbia glabriflora, Pinus heldreichii, Helleborus cyclophyllus, Herniaria parnassica subsp. parnassica, Festuca koritnicensis,  Linum hologynum, Thymus teucrioides subsp. alpinus, Soldanella pindicola, Stachys scardica, Trifolium pilzii (only locality in Greece), Viola albanica, and Viola dukadjinica (the southernmost site of this species in the Balkan peninsula), Viola epirota and Onosma stellulata (recently discovered in Greece).

Aesculus hippocastanum, Alyssum smolikanum, Lilium carniolicum subsp. albanicum (=L. albanicum) and Campanula hawkinsiana are protected by the Greek legislation (Presidential Decree 67/1981).

The presence of Pinus heldreichii in the area, as well as the presence of two small stands of Pinus sylvestris is also very important. This locality is the southernmost distribution site for the species in Europe and the single site on the Pindos range.

We should also mention the occurrence of a) Geum coccineum, growing on the mountains of the Balkan peninsula and N. Anatolia, the presence of which in Greece is the southernmost site of this species in the Balkans; b) Atropa belladona, listed in the Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981, c) Potentilla geoides which has a widely disjunct distribution in Greece and Crimea, d) Jovibarba heuffelii, occurring in the eastern Carpathians and the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula. Furthermore, we must note the sporadic presence of Taxus baccata, Ilex aquifolium, Quercus pedunculiflora, Q.cerris, Fraxinus ornus, Ostrya carpinifolia, Populus alba and Platanus orientalis.

In 1987 it was included in the IUCN list of the 12 most vulnerable areas of the world which are in urgent need of protection.

Surface area (ha): 8738

EU protection status: pSCI NATURA 2000 Code : GR 1310001

Main land uses and ownership status of the project area:

Logging, grazing and winter ski tourist activities compose the main land use modes of the targeted site. The recently expanded skiing resort will have detrimental effects upon the alpine and subalpine grasslands as well as upon habitat type 9540 (Pinus leucodermis forests). Communication installation and overgrazing constitute the major threats upon the targeted site. Ownership status is composed of Public land and small community properties.

Scientific description of project area:

A rugged area densely forested and sparsely populated. The rock is exclusively serpentine. The site is characterised by the following habitat classes: heath, scrub, broad-leaved deciduous woodland and coniferous woodland. The whole site is important as a natural refuge for rare mammal species (bear, otter, chamois) and together with the neighbouring important sites, Mt. Smolikas and Pindos National Park, form an extensive and continuous undisturbed zone. The subalpine meadows are important hunting grounds for birds of prey. The structure of the habitat is diverse, ranging from very open woodland to dense forest. It has an interesting species composition (with Daphne oleoides, Galium rotundifolium, Pyrola chlorantha, Potentilla micrantha, Poa nemoralis, Viola reichenbachiana etc.), which includes a number of rare and/or endemic plants, e.g. Leptoplax emarginata, Alyssum heldreichii (greek endemics), Bornmuellera baldacii, Thlaspi tymphaeum, Cardamine glauca (south Balkan endemics) etc. Concerning the wild growing plants, the site is characterised by the occurrence of 47 important taxa. Among them, 12 taxa are Greek endemics.

Importance of the project area for biodiversity and the conservation of the species:

Species: Ursus arctos*: the estimated population size in this site is minimum 5 individuals. This sub-population represents the 11.1% of the total Ursus arctos* population (minimum size estimated between 40-50 individuals) present in the project area (important at a regional level). At a national level the Ursus arctos* population of this site represents the 3.5%.

Habitat types: In this site the most important habitat type (also in terms of surface occupation) is 9530* which covers an important surface of about 3670 ha. This habitat type constitutes the main habitat for the resident Ursus arctos* subpopulation. On ophiolithic substrates, like in the case of this site, 9530* presents a shrub layer dominated by Buxus sempervirens (a Mediterranean species) and a diverse herb layer, which includes many important, rare taxa, e.g. Alyssum heldreichii (Greek endemic), Thymus teucrioides subsp. alpinus, Dianthus haematocalyx subsp. pindicola, Fumana bonapartei. This type of black pine forest is considered as a rare one at a regional and national level, since it is restricted only on ophiolithic mountain areas of NW Greece. 9530* is under constant threat by forest fires and intensive logging.

The structure of the habitat is diverse, ranging from very open woodland to dense forest. It has an interesting species composition (with Daphne oleoides, Galium rotundifolium, Pyrola chlorantha, Potentilla micrantha, Poa nemoralis, Viola reichenbachiana etc.), which includes a number of rare and/or endemic plants, e.g. Leptoplax emarginata, Alyssum heldreichii (greek endemics), Bornmuellera baldacii, Thlaspi tymphaeum, Cardamine glauca (south Balkan endemics) etc. Habitat type 9540 is very important, because of its rarity at a regional, national and European level as Pinus leucodermis is a species with restricted distribution, found only in S Italy (very local) and on mountains of Balkan Peninsula, from N Greece to SW Bulgaria. 9540 is theatened by intensive logging, illegal cutting and forest fires.

Concerning flora species the wild growning plants the quality of the site is indicated by the occurrence of 47 important taxa. Among them, 12 taxa are greek endemics, one taxon is protected by the Bern International Convention, 7 taxa (Aethionema saxatile ssp. oreophilum, Allium phthioticum, Alyssum smolikanum, Barbarea sicula, Festuca koritnicensis, Scorzonera doriae, Soldanella pindicola) are included in the WCMC and/or European Red Data list, 5 taxa (Campanula hawkinsiana, Dactylorhiza sambucina, Gentiana verna ssp. balcanica, Narcissus poeticus  ssp. radiiflorus, Orobanche rechingeri) are protected by the Greek Presidental Decree (67/1981), one taxon (Pedicularis petiolaris) is rare in Greece, 19 taxa (Arenaria conferta ssp. serpentinii, Astragalus creticus ssp. rumelicus, Campanula spatulata ssp. spatulata, Campanula tymphaea, Carum graecum ssp. serpentinicum, Carum rupestre, Fumana bonapartei, Galium oreophilum, Linum puntatum ssp. pycnophyllum, Myosotis alpestris ssp. suaveolens, Plantago media ssp. pindica, Polygala alpestris ssp. croatica, Silene fabarioides, Thymus stojanovii, Thymus teucrioides ssp. alpinus, Trifolium pignantii, Trinia grauca ssp. pindica, Viola albanica, Viola dukadjinica) are Balkan endemics and 2 taxa (Ornithogalum oligophyllum, Silene roemeri) find their main distribution area in the Balkan Peninsula extending also to Turkey or Italy.