Akrotiri Peninsula - Episkopi Cliffs (24489)
Cyprus, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: D1a

Year of last assessment: 2012

National site name: Akrotiri Peninsula - Episkopi Cliffs

Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.6160, Longitude: 32.9598

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 110

Area of KBA (km²): 78.97539

Protected area coverage (%): 78.61

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Dominated by the 1,951m Chionistra peak with its distinctive Black Pine (Pinus nigra) Forest, this is the highest elevation IBA in Cyprus, with a rich community of forest birds. Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia) dominates on the lower slopes of the Endemic Bird Area site important for Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca), Cyprus Warbler (Sylvia melanothorax), Cyprus Coal Tit (Parus ater cypriotes), Cyprus Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla dorothea), Woodlark (Lullula arborea) and Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus). Non-qualifying breeders worth noting are Cyprus Scops Owl (Otus scops cyprius), Cyprus Jay (Garrulus glandarius glaszneri), Cretzschmar’s Bunting (Emberiza caesia), European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Blackbird (Turdus merula). ‘Troodos Forest’ IBA is also the only breeding site for the Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) on the island.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	26
Shrubland	16
Marine Neritic	36
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	22

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use)	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Renewable energy		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Commercial & industrial areas		Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Tourism & recreation areas		Ongoing

Additional information