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Parnitha National Park is located in Southern Greece, about 35 km out of Athens. Covering an area of about 18,000 ha, the Park has outstanding scenery, a range of wildlife habitats and a rich cultural heritage. It was established in 1961 and it has been recognized as a special and important area that needs protection. Since then it has been strictly protected under the Greek and European legislation.

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Flora and Vegetation of Parnitha National Park (Attiki, Greece)

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Flora and Vegetation of Parnitha National Park (Attiki, Greece)

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Parnitha is a very steep mountain with several crevices and gorges, especially at the south side. This favours the creation of many chasmophytic communities, with endemic species.

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Alcedo atthis (Kingfisher)

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Bufo viridis (Green toad)

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A Balkan Subrefuge for a Remnant Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) Population

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A Balkan Subrefuge for a Remnant Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) Population

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Cervus elaphus (Least Concern, IUCN Red Data List)

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Cervus elaphus (Least Concern, IUCN Red Data List)

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Main reason for reintroducing the grey wolf in Yellowstone Park.

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Main reason for reintroducing the grey wolf in Yellowstone Park.

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The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.

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1. Marchalina hellenica and Pinus halepensis.
2. Viscum album and Abies cephalonica

http://www.parnitha-np.gr/pine_diseases.htm

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Effects of mistletoe infestation on the decline and mortality of Abies cephalonica in Greece

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In the picture you can observe mistletoe (Viscum album) on the tip of a fir tree. Mistletoe is considered as hemi-parasite, as it can photosynthesize but, at the same time, it absorbs nutrients from the host tree.

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Examples of animals with a predator-prey relation

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Examples of animals with a predator-prey relation

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1. In 2015, the reappearance of Wolfs (Canis lupus) in Parnitha was confirmed by "Callisto", a non-profit environmental organisation. Wolfs were considered disappeared from the mountain for at least 50 years. The establishment of a wolf population in Parnitha is expected to play a significant role in controlling the increasing population of the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), as no other predator exists in the area.
2. Owls (Bubo bubo) and other nocturnal predators (like Tyto alba) that chase mice (like Apodemus sp.).

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Ecological niche of two characteristic animals

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Ecological niche of two characteristic animals

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1. Red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Red Deers exist in the whole mountain. During winter they come down to areas of low altitudes, dominated by pine woods, seeking for food. At summertime, Red Deers are found mainly in the fir forest and meadows. Deer are herbivorous, feeding mostly on herbs, young twigs, fruits, seeds and mushrooms. They live near springs and streams.
2. Cretan wild goat (Capra aegarus subsp. cretica)
It has been imported in Parnitha in 1961. Since then, it lives and reproduces naturally on the mountain and is considered to have healthy populations inside the National Park.

Its biotope is the steep, limestone rocks of the mountain, where one can observe small groups of these animals. They feed mainly on kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and other shrub species.

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Discussing the biodiversity patterns found in Parnitha mountain and comparing them with other BioAreas.

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Discussing the biodiversity patterns found in Parnitha mountain and comparing them with other BioAreas.

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The key factor ruling the biodiversity patterns observed in Mount Parnitha is altitude. As altitude increases, different phytosociological assemblages occur. In particular, chasmophytes present a group of species with high degree of endemism, due to the rough environment that these species exploit. It is also worth mentioning, that the fir forest is found in the lowest range of its distribution, which makes its preservation even more important and it is also more vulnerable to climate change.
Regarding fauna, endemism is lower comparing to other BioAreas, such as islands of the Mediterranean sea, because Parnitha is not so isolated. However, the variety of habitats provided by the mountain helps sustaining a considerable number of fauna species, also found in other areas of Greece

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Generally, the few alien species invasions are limited and do not influence substantially the ecological value of the area.
Some common species invasions are

Psittacula krameri (Green parrots released in the wild)

Canis lupus familiaris, Felis silvestris catus (stray dogs and cats)

Pinus nigra (planted black pine)

Ailanthus altissima, Solanum elaeagnifolium (two  alien plant species fount in ruderal disturbed habitats)

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A common threat of wildlife overexploitation is picking medicinal and aromatic plants. Fortunately, the area is protected by law and the local authorities. However, Parnitha is readily accesible by the citizens of Attica and it gathers a lot of visitors. This causes a great amount of disturbance in the ecosystem. For instance, in early sping Crocus flowers emerge in the planes of the mountain. Some visitors find it hard to resist picking them up, ignoring the protection regime of the area!

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IUCN RED Data list of Threatened species

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IUCN RED Data list of Threatened species

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Testudo marginata (Least concern, stable)

Capra aegagrus (Vulnerable, Decreasing)

Salamandra salamandra (Least Concern, Decreasing)

Neophron percnopterus (Endangered, Decreasing)

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Parnitha National Park suffered extensive damage after a wildfire in June of 2007. The fire burned down about 1.056 ha of pine forest, 2.180 ha of fir forest and 397 ha of other vegetation types.
Fires are common in the mediterranean type of vegetation, like pine forests. As a result, this type of vegetation has evolved a variety of mechanisms in order to overcome the devastating results. Indeed, pine forests can rebirth in a short period of time, if no other disturbance takes place. On the other hand, fir forests dispose of no such mechanisms, as they normally occur in higher altitudes where fires are scarce, if not absent. But in the region of Attica, which is situated in the South of Greece, the fir forest struggles with higher temperatures and drier weather conditions. As a result, it is more vulnerable to climate change.