Cyprus Flora

Thanks to its mild and equable Mediterranean climate Cyprus has a rich variety of flora, with some 1900 different species of plants, in cluding 100 endemic species found only on the island.

The flora of Cyprus is at its finest in March and April, when the island is Spring covered by a many-coloured sea of blossom. In addition to various species of orchids there are tulips, gladioli, irises, wild poppies, great fields of intensely perfumed rape, blossoming fruit-trees and various decorative trees.

Since the watercourses soon dry up after the snow-melt and the brief Summer rainy season in spring, Cyprus has a rather barren and dried-up air in summer; the plains of the interior and the coastal regions are burned up by the sun, and the golden-yellow colour of the grain gives place to various shades of brown. Only the blossoms of the oleanders give small touches of colour. In the hills, however, the coniferous and deciduous trees remain green.

With the first autumn rains Cyprus is transformed once again into a Autumn green and blooming island, with crocuses, narcissi, anemones, hya- cinths and lilies.

Forests

The felling of the island's great expanses of forest began in ancient times, when the sea powers of the eastern Mediterranean used the timber for the construction of their fleets. In addition to the felling which continued without control down the centuries further losses have resulted from grazing by goats, forestfires and Turkish incendiary bombs in 1974, reducing the forest cover of this once green Mediter ranean island to barely 20%. Most of the forests are state-owned, mainly on the slopes of the Tr60dos Mountains, where an intensive programme of re-afforestation has been under way since 1982. Measures to limit the danger of forest fires include the installation of forest telephones for emergency calls and the formation of special firefighting forces. Forest reserves and national parks such as the one at Kyrenia (Girne) also contribute to the protection of the island's forests.

Species of trees

Almost 90% of Cyprus's forests consist of Aleppo pines, which grow at lower altitudes. Above 1200m/3900ft the black pine, sometimes bizarrely shaped, is found. The native forest of the Troodos range also includes cypresses, oaks and cedars, and in the foothills there are eucalyptus and olive-trees. Thanks to the island's mild climate apples, cherries, pears, almonds and walnuts can be grown up to a height of 1200m/3900ft. The annual show of cherry-blossom in the little town of Pedhoulas, to the north of Plat res, has given rise to a regular festival.

Vegetation in the plains

In the plains, in addition to the trees growing in the foothills ofthe main ranges, there are carob-trees, laurels, vines, citrus fruits and bananas. Grain and vegetables are grown in the Mesaoria plain and in the coastal regions. Large areas ofthe island are covered with dark green macchia, a scrub of spiny bushes and shrubs.

Cyprus Fauna

Moufflon

The fauna of Cyprus shows a much smaller range of species than its flora. Its best known animal, now a protected species, is the moufflon (Greek agrinon). a shy mountain sheep distinguished by the powerful curving horns ofthe male. These agile creatures, good climbers, live in small numbers in the Troodos Mountains, but are rarely to be seen in the wild. The island's stock of moufflon, which numbered many thousands in ancient times, was decimated in the Middle Ages, when Cyprus was held by the French Lusignan dynasty, and more recently by British sportsmen. Nowadays visitors are 'ikely to see them only in the moufflon enclosure at the Stavros tis Psokas forestry station (north west of Cedar Valley), at Platanfa (near Kakopetria) and in Limassol's small zoo.

A stylised moufflon is the emblem of Cyprus Airways.

Other Animals

Accounts by medieval travellers refer to leopards, deer and wild asses, but these have long since been exterminated. Domestic animals such as donkeys, sheep, goats and cats, however, are to be seen all over Cyprus.

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In the forests of Cyprus there are numerous small animals including hares, rabbits, foxes, squirrels and weasels. Reptiles include lizards, chameleons, turtles and two much dreaded poisonous snakes, the koufi (green, with black spots) and the adder. When walking in the country, therefore, it is advisable to have stout footwear in case you happen to tread on a snake. Cyprus's 300 species of birds include partridges, Cetti's warblers, wild pigeons and great tits. Birds of prey including falcons, vultures and imperial eagles are found in the hills. In marshy regions there are herons and snipe. Cyprus is also a staging-point for large numbers of migrant birds on their journeys between three continents. Up to a thousand flamingos winter on the salt lakes of Larnaca and Akrotiri; coming from the Caspian Sea, they spend the winter months until March in the mild climate of Cyprus.

Cyprus Birds

The only national park of the Greek southern part of the island is the recently-established Athalasa Park. However, the Akamas peninsula and Stavros tis Psokas at the western end of the island may shortly be assigned national park status. Meanwhile, some forest areas have been designated national forest parks and nature reserves for the protection of wildlife.