Conservation and restoration of the palm forest of Vai in Crete
Project Summary
The palm forest of Vai, in eastern Crete, is a priority habitat (*9370 Palm forest with Phoenix) of Directive 92/43/EEC, protected as an Aesthetic forest. It is located within the Special Area of Conservation GR4320006 of the Natura 2000 network. The project’s overall objective was to conserve and restore the Aesthetic Forest of Vai by expanding the habitat type *9370 Palm groves of Phoenix whose area had shrunk since the 1950s, and by addressing the threats to the site.
Implementation period: 1999 – 2002.
Funding: LIFE Programme, General Secretariat of Forests and Natural Environment.
The Role of EKBY
EKBY as project beneficiary and scientific coordinator, carried out the project in collaboration with the Directorate of Forests of Lasithi, the Holy Monastery of Toplou (partners of the project) and the Municipality of Palaikastro. In this context, EKBY prepared management guidelines for the palm forest of Vai; collaborated with the Forestry Service to implement management measures in the palm forest; facilitated the exchange of plots of land around the palm forest with plots in another location between owners and the Holy Monastery of Toplou to allow for forest natural regeneration; carried out the expansion of the palm forest in nearby locations, promoted measures to regulate tourism activities as well as public information actions; and finally, enhanced the participation of local authorities and other competent bodies in conservation efforts.
Results
- Management guidelines for the palm forest at Vai (In Greek)
- Conservation of the palm forest (new fence, other management actions)
- Forest restoration to a total area of 31.7 ha
- Environmental activities and infrastructure
- Leaflet on the Palm grove at Vai
- Tourism in protected areas in Greece. Symposium proceedings, Sitia, Crete, October 15 & 16, 2001