Action A.4
Although the action has typically been completed, experiments on the soil seed bank continued during the last months. Unfortunately, a malfunction of the incubator caused elevation of the temperature and contamination of the samples by bacteria. New soil samples will be collected shortly.
Action C.2
The fences necessary for this Action at the pond of Louka are not in place yet. Moreover, unexpectedly the ponds started to dry in April and the plants for in situ planting were not ready yet. In middle May the pond was completely dry. Even if the fences are not in place at Louka, seeding of Veronica oetaeea* will take place in early autumn, preferably after the herds of animals have left the area.
Action C.3
The implemented grazing treatments in the previous three years were presented by V. Papanastasis and G. Lyrintzis to the production team that visited Mts. Oiti and Kallidromo to prepare the relevant documentary. Additional treatments to be implemented during the forthcoming summer period have been planed.
Action C.4
Diomedes Botanical Garden (DBG) will provide the external help for this action. Ms Eirini Vallianatou, the curator of the DBG, visited the ponds of Mt. Kallidromo in early May in order to plan the restoration works (according to the specifications provided in the relevant deliverable of Action A.3).
The fences necessary for this action at the ponds of Louka, Mourouzos, Mouriza, and Nevropolis are not in place yet. Moreover, unexpectedly Mourouzos and Mouriza started to dry in April and the plants for in situ planting were not ready yet. Removal of invasive species will take place in June and plants (Mentha pulegium) will be planted or seeded on the spot. However, the absence of fencing will probably compromise the chances of success.
Action C.5
Conservation and plant care works of the grafted and remaining cypress plants.
Implementation of the Cyprus production method of Juniperus foetidissima plants continues, specifically seed treatment (cold moist stratification and planting direct in the soil). Preliminary works for the implementation of fir necrosis method on Mt. Oiti
Action C.7
Scoring of seed germination experiments for Ranunculus lateriflorus (collection sites - dates: Livadies - 23.06.2013, Livadies - 30.07.2013 and Livadies - 20.07.2014), Polygonum sp. (Greveno – 13.08.2013), Myosurus minimus (Greveno - 21.07.2014), Limosella aquatica (Livadies - 23.06.2013), Lythrum thymifolia (Livadies-20.07.2014), Juncus bufonius (Greveno - 21.07.2014) and Verbena supina (Nevropoli-26.11.2015).
Action C.9
The wild fruit trees planted in April needed to be watered, on May 17, after a very dry period during April. Installation of the electric fences provided to the beekeepers in April started during May.
Action C.10
On May 17, Mr. Georgios Politis, subcontractor for the Action, had an extensive discussion with Ms. Zoe Georgousi and forester Dimitra Tsilogiannis at the Forestry Service in Lamia, regarding the content of Action C.10 and the requirements for the legal documents. Mr Politis asked for cooperation with the Forestry Service and received a positive response. He also informed the staff of the Forestry Service about the results of Action A.12. Meetings with team members of the other partners were also held for specific input regarding the content of Action C.10.
Action D.1
Fences are not yet in place in any of the ponds. However, monitoring for habitat type 3170* took place in the ponds of Louka, Mourouzos, and Mouriza (for the reasons stated in the introduction of the deliverables of Actions A.3 and A.4). This was done earlier than in the previous years because of the exceptional meteorological conditions this year (lack of rain and snow). On May 28-31 the ponds of Alykaina, Livadies, and Greveno were monitored
The typical temporary pond plant Myosurus minimus was recorded for the first time in Mourouzos, Mouriza, and Nevropolis. This is a new floristic record for Mt. Kallidromo.
Action D.2
The results obtained from the implemented grazing treatments in the previous three years were presented by V. Papanastasis and G. Lyrintzis to the production team that visited Mts. Oiti and Kallidromo to prepare the relevant documentary.
Also, the analysis of the animal collar data of the previous year was reviewed.
Action D.3
The results obtained from the implementation of Actions A.7 and C.5 in the previous years and the next planned actions were presented to the production team that visited Mts. Oiti and Kallidromo to prepare the relevant documentary.
Monitoring of the planted Juniperus foetidissima plants in Matakia and in Trapeza location.
Action D.5
During May no bear presence was recorded in the project area, but two instances were reported from the nearby Mt. Vardousia (damages to beehives recorded by the President of Beekeepers Association of Lamia) and Mt. Othrys (footprints recorded by the Forestry Service of Almyros).
Action E.1
Preparation of the program for students’ educational excursions to Mt. Kallidromo. The excursions will take place on June 1 and 2.
Action E.2
The selected subcontractor inspected the building chosen in Ypati and Palaiochori and prepared a detailed description of the design and contents of the two Visitor Information Centres. The contract will be signed in early June and works will begin immediately.
Action F.1
On May 23 an administrative meeting of the project was organized.
Action F.5
Networking with the LIFE project FORBIRDS included presentations and discussion at the offices of the HSPN and then a visit to the project areas of Mt. Kallidromo on May 16 and of Mt. Oiti on May 17.
Networking with the LIFE project Junex included a visit on May 18-20 to Mts. Oiti and Kallidromo, as well as presentations and discussion at the premises of the Management Authority of Mt Oiti National Park at Loutra Ypatis.
