Forests and forest protection in Cyprus

Abstract

Cyprus, an island located in the eastern Mediterranean Basin, was heavily forested prior to human settlement. Human influence since about 6000 BC has significantly changed the area and composition of the island's forests. Approximately 40% of the Island is presently occupied by forest, maquis and garigue vegetation. The dominant tree species in Cyprus' forests is Pinus brutia, which has been planted extensively on abandoned agricultural lands and areas burned by wildfire. P. brutia forests are subject to periodic wildfire episodes. In addition, young plantations are subject to defoliation by the pine processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Pityocampidae), and older forests are subject to attack by several species of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). A policy of extensive planting of pines will, most likely, result in continued problems with wildfire, pine processionary caterpillar and bark beetles in the foreseeable future. Long-term measures to effectively manage these problems include examination of opportunities to plant alternative tree species and to manage the vegetation to increase the diversity of the Island's wildland ecosystems. Key words: Cyprus, forest protection, pine processionary caterpillar, bark beetles, wildfire