The Cyprus Environmental Studies Centre (ESC) in Kritou Terra has initiated a number of local practical conservation projects to enhance the countryside around the village.
These have been pursued through the efforts of visiting groups of students and volunteers (guides, scouts and the Limassol 'Lions' to date), the local villagers and the staff of the ESC.
The main projects in progress are:
Re-afforestation of abandoned hillsides. Working on unwanted, abandoned farmland and on wilderness areas, we have pursued a small-scale planting programme over the past few winters. Having tried both sapling-planting and direct seed-planting, we have come to the conclusion that the second method is more effective in a semi-arid climate, as young trees germinating from seed develop stronger, deeper root systems than those transplanted as saplings, which makes them better able to survive the summer drought in their first few years. This eliminates the need for regular watering and saves greatly on labour. In any case, within a few years, the healthier trees that result catch up the difference in size with a planted sapling. Our efforts focus on the planting of the Aleppo oak (Quercus infectoria) which was the main element of the indigenous forest on these south-western limestone plateau. This species creates a deep, rich leaf-mould and is very effective in conserving both water and soil in the landscape.
Restoration of the local footpath network. With increasing use of vehicles by villagers, and the abandonment of much of the outlying agricultural land, many of the small donkey-tracks and footpaths in the area have fallen out of use and become overgrown and unusable. Our aim is gradually to restore these by clearing them of scrub and fallen rocks, and by installing steps or revetments where necessary. We give priority to those routes which link sites of educational and landscape value, thus providing an important resource both for our educational groups and for the general tourist.
Other possible activities include beach clearance, creation of fire-breaks, repair of dry-stone walling and maintenance of boundaries. We are also planning to start some experimental organic and perma-culture plots using abandoned fields and orchards.
The ESC has a small stock of tools for these activities, such as loppers, saws, mattocks, crowbars, shovels and picks.
