Mapping and assessment of ecosystem services at Troodos National Forest Park in Cyprus

Abstract

Troodos National Forest Park is located in the centre of Troodos mountain range and it is one of the most important natural environments of Cyprus. It has been included to the Natura 2000 network of the Island due to its important natural ecosystems and its great biodiversity. Based on the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES 5.1), 36 ecosystem services have been identified in the area. The majority of ecosystem services are concentrated at the Troodos peak and the nearby areas. The same pattern applies for the Cultural Services. Provisioning and Regulation-Maintenance services are concentrated at the centre and western part of the site. The site’s habitat types were mapped and their distribution in the area is presented in respective maps. Carbon stored in plants was 622,705 tonnes in total (73.18 t C per ha), calculated as per habitat type (according to Directive 92/43/EEC - Habitats Directive) and as per TESSA habitat classification. Seven TESSA and 10 Annex I habitat types were identified. The largest part of the site is dominated by Evergreen Broadleaf Forests (7799 ha), followed by Mixed Forests (624 ha) and Deciduous Broadleaf Forests (60 ha). The carbon stock included in AGB (Above Ground Biomass), BGB (Below Ground Biomass), Dead Wood & Litter and SOM (Soil Organic Matter) was evaluated for each habitat type. The annual carbon biomass removal (roundwood and fuelwood) is 80.82 t C y-1 (0.009 t C y-1 per ha), while the carbon sequestered in Troodos National Forest Park is 11,880.33 t CO2 eq y-1 (0.38 t C y-1 per ha). The information produced serves as a useful tool to competent authorities for raising awareness on the importance of ecosystem services and increase the public’s support in the area’s conservation.

Rising Temperatures, Falling Leaves: Predicting the Fate of Cyprus’s Endemic Oak under Climate and Land Use Change

“…These considerations withstanding and given the absence of temporal variation in pedological and topographical variables and the little temporal variation in the LULC variables in the study area ( Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure S1–S13 ), our results indicate that Quercus alnifolia currently tolerates and will continue to tolerate moderate to high soil erosion conditions ( Figure 4 ), potentially being more adapted to tolerating variations in future erosion trends. Thus, Quercus alnifolia will likely remain a vital keystone species in Cypriot mountain ecosystems, safeguarding against erosion, optimising nutrient cycles, ensuring forest health and biodiversity [ 61 , 62 ], and providing crucial ecosystem services [ 29 ].…”

“…A decline in this species would likely lead to a decrease in tourism appeal, adversely affecting local businesses and livelihoods reliant on this sector. Therefore, preserving Quercus alnifolia is a matter of ecological importance and economic sustainability for communities that depend on the ecosystem services it provides [ 29 ].…”

“…Troodos region are recognised as critical for the richness of threatened species [ 28 ], as Mt. Troodos hosts half of the native plants occurring in Cyprus and 70% of the Cypriot endemics [ 29 ]. Despite its rich biodiversity and well-established network of protected areas [ 30 ], Cyprus grapples with considerable anthropogenic threats [ 31 ], such as land degradation [ 32 ], echoing the broader challenges faced by the Mediterranean Basin.…”