Action A.5: Determination of vegetation composition and structure in the mountain grasslands (6210*, 6230*)

This action is a study of the vegetation composition and structure of the mountain grasslands of Mt. Oiti and Mt. Kallidromo in order to establish the base reference (initial situation) state of the habitats and its relation to environmental factors.

Vegetation composition and structure will be studied by transects placed at selected polygons of the habitat, so as to cover both the variation of the various facies and ecological conditions of the habitat, as well as the transition zones to other habitats (i.e., Abies forest, temporary ponds, heaths). It is estimated that approximately 5–10 transects will be placed on Mt. Oiti (20–30 % of the mapped polygons of the habitat) and less or as many on Mt. Kallidromo (where the habitat has not been mapped, so the number cannot be estimated accurately).

Total plant cover and cover per plant layer, as well as cover-abundance of all flora species will be recorded in 10x10 quadrats, set along the transects in late June or July of the first year of the project. Altitude, exposure, inclination, and geological substrate will be recorded at each quadrate. Soil profiles will be made and a range of parameters (such as soil water content, electrical conductivity, %CaCO3, organic matter (Cox), silica (FeS2), electric conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangable Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, H, Fe, Al, P, total P and N, C/N, C/P) will be measured at selected sites.

Note: The results of this action will certify the presence of habitat 6210* on Mt. Kallidromo. This habitat type, although described in the section “other site characteristics” of the Standard Data Form of the site, is not listed in the “Ecological Information Section”. In addition, there has been a recent scientific argument regarding the presence of this habitat in Greece. NAGREF will undertake the responsibility to provide the information for the necessary update of the official Standard Data Form of the Natura 2000 site GR2440006 “OROS KALLIDROMO”.