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Rouvas Forest
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The forest of Rouvas is located in the southeast part of Psiloritis(Idi) mountain chain and is one of the most important natural forest ecosystems of Heraklion, with huge ecological and aesthetic value. Included in the (NATURA 2000), from 2001 big part of it(80%) characterized as Wildlife sanctuary.
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There are particular microenvironments throughout the forest. Characterized by landscape diversity, high biodiversity, the presence of many endemic animal and plant species of Crete and Greece, rare plant formations, rare and endangered species.
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Dominant species of the forest is the kermes oak (Prinos) (Quercus coccifera). The forest of Rouvas is the largest cluster of kermes oaks of Europe. Yet we encounter in the Woods the Maples (Acer sempervirens), which in late autumn and winter give striking colors. In moist gullies of the forest you will see towering Sycamore trees (Platanus oriendalis) closely related species of which are evergreen species (cretica) located in Gortyna. There are still cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens), pines (Pinus brutia) and Azilakos (Quercus ilex).
High in Diplori area is the Anegnoro [(Ampelitsia) (Zelkova abelicea)] protected and endemic species of Crete.
In the Woods we find Cretan Kefalanthira (Cephalanhera cucullata) endemic orchid of Crete and endangered species.
We will also meet high in the mountain Tea mountain [(Malotira) (Sideritis syriaca)] and beautiful cyclamen (Cyclamen creticum).
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Many animals live in the forest like animal "ghost" the Cretan Wildcat (Felis silvestris) endemic of Crete, Arkalos or Badger (Meles meles) with the maze holes that digs, Zoyrida (Martes foina) that used to be the hunted for the skin, the Kalogiannou (Mustela nivalis) and the Hare (Lepus europaeus) whose relentless pursuer is the Cretan Tracker, while if you are very observant, you may see the Myoxo (Rat-Squirrel ,Glis Glis Argenteus).
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In the brushwood areas will meet Agkathopontiko (Acomys minys), Mygali (Crocidura zimermani), harmless Chalcides ocellatus (Chalcides ecellatus) and many other animals, among them the frog (Rana tiribunda) with the turtle (Turtle the Greek).
The forest still is very important for birds particularly prey . You will encounter swarms of Skares (Gyps fulvus), a lonely or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) Kokala, even Bitsila (Aquila chrysaetos). High in the sky we can see the Llagoydogeraka (buteo Buteo-) searching their prey, while Partridges (Alectoris graeca), give melodic tone to the atmosphere. Rare bird also is the Petrokotsifos or Thrush (Monticola solitarius), while the finches (Fringilla oelebs) and the sygardelia or goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), melodies filled the atmosphere. During winter we maybe meet Woodcock [(Skalortha (Scolopax rusticola)] , while bees (Apis meIIifera) and colorful butterflies color the atmosphere and give continuity to the plant life.
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The major problems and dangers that threaten the forest is: overgrazing, soil erosion, which is favored by the destruction of vegetation, the aging of the forest, the continuous reduction of prey due to lack of food and strenuous exercise of hunting and forest fires.
Measures for the protection of the region were implemented in the area of the municipality of Rouvas in cooperation with the Directorate of Forests of Heraklion and the A.K.O.M.M.A.E. in the Life Nature programe where he penned a large part of the core of the forest for protection from grazing and natural regeneration installation.
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Source: Municipality Of Rouvas
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More Info:
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http://www.e4nar.gr/large.php?id=11&l=2&pid=344
http://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/gorges-and-canyons-in-crete/central-crete-gorges-heraklion/gafaris-gorge-rouvas
http://www.destinationcrete.gr/el/other-nature-crete/irakleio-other-nature/dasos-rouva
http://www.explorecrete.com/greek/rouvas-gr.html
http://www.psiloritis-natural-park.gr/
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