Foloi (Peloponnese)
The plain of Foloi ( Greek οροπέδιο της Φολόης ) is located in the southwestern lower foothills of the Erymanthos between Foloi and Pinia (Πηνεία). The plain includes areas of the municipalities of Lasionos (Δήμος Λασιώνος) and Foloi (Δήμος Φολόης) and borders the municipalities of Lampias (Δήμος Λαμπείας) and Olenis (Δήμος Ωλένης). The plateau carries the oak forest of the same name ( Greek : Δρυοδάσος Φολόης , Dryodasos Foloi ), one of the largest oak forests in southern Europe. It covers more than 40 km². The forest lies between the river areas of the Erymanthos (river) and Pinios and thus belongs to the area of Elis and borders Arcadia . The difficult climatic and geological conditions give the forest a character that is highly worthy of protection. The Alfios and Pinios rivers are fed from its water reservoirs. The forest complex Kapeli-Foloi (Κάπελη-Φολόη) with an average height of 600 m above sea level is home to a rich ecosystem with a variety of plants and animals. Hunting is prohibited from August 20th to the end of February. In addition, there are protected areas in which hunting is prohibited all year round. Today there are also some areas where residents, such as the residents of Dasarchiou Pyrgou (Δασαρχείου Πύργου), are allowed to harvest firewood and, to a small extent, wood.
geography
The Foloi-Kapeli plateau (Φολόη-Κάπελη) extends over the mountains of the Elis regional district and borders the Arcadia and Achaia districts on the southwestern foothills of the Erymanthos. These are areas of the municipalities of Lasionos, Foli, Lampias and Olenis. Kapeli used to be a contiguous area. The name (dt .: hat) denotes "dense forest" or "rich forest". Sometimes the area is also referred to as the "balcony of Elis" (μπαλκόνι της Ηλείας). It is divided by gorges, which are known locally as "Androniki" (Αντρωνέικη), which flow into the large cuts of Koumaneki (Κουμανέικη) and Giarmeniki (Γιαρμενέικη). There the rivers Pinios and Piniakos Ladonas run , the gorge of which turns towards Androni Ilias (Αντρώνι Ηλείας). These gorges form habitats of great ecological value. Many numbered forest roads are suitable for horse riding or cycling. In the area of Laka-pousi (Λάκα-πούσι), experiments with new plants were made on 100 hectares 20 years ago. The extensive ecological importance of the forest area is also evident from its function for the birds of Greece (ΣΠΠΕ). It was included in the Natura 2000 network of nature reserves through the Habitats Directive (92/43 / EEC) of the European Union .
It is said that Heracles hunted the Erymanthian boar here .
climate
Kapeli is dry and very arid in summer. Moisture only stays in the soil because the dense vegetation means that evaporation is limited to small areas.
mythology
The Foloi Forest was already considered mysterious by the Greeks in ancient times. He got his name "Pholóē" from the king of the Centaurs Pholos , a friend of Heracles. And the forests were thought to be the habitat of centaurs and elves, so-called dryads (Δρυάδες - "oak elves").
flora
The tree population of the Foloi oak forest consists mainly of Hungarian oak . In addition, chestnuts , beeches , plane trees , kermes oak , as well as strawberry trees (κουμαριά), heather (ρείκι), walnuts , fruit trees and mountain plants are found in the vicinity of villages . however, a large part of the forest has been heavily influenced by humans, be it through clearing, logging or other uses. The willow pointer Asphodelus is noticeable in the undergrowth .
fauna
The area is a very rich sanctuary for rare animals, especially birds: In the dense forests breed toed Eagle (φιδαετός - Circaetus gallicus ), Golden Eagle (χρυσαετός - Aquila chrysaetos ), Eleonora's falcon ( Falco eleonorae ), owls (μπούφος - Bubo bubo ) and Kingfisher (Αλκυόνη - Alcedo atthis ), middle spotted woodpecker ( Dendrocopos medius ) and mask warbler (μουστακοτσιροβάκος - Sylvia rueppelli ), turtle dove (τρυγόνι - Streptopelia turtur ), Hoopoe (τσαλαπετεινούς Upupa epops ), Sperber (Ξεφτέρι Accipiter nisus ) and scops owl ( Otus scops ) have significant Occurrence. In addition, many mammals have an important refuge in the forest: wild boar, roe deer (ζαρκάδι), deer, hares, martens (κουνάβι), foxes, gold jackals , weasels (νυφίτσα), hedgehog (σκαντζόχοιρος) and Greek tortoises . And there are a variety of small animals: Vipers (οχιά), adders (αστρίτης), Balkan Whip Snake (δεντρογαλιά) vipers (αστριτοχιά), snakes (σαΐτες), lizards, slow worms (γαϊδουρομουστέλα).
natural reserve
The Foloi forest is part of the Natura 2000 protected area system of the European Union . The reserve reaches a size of almost 9742 hectares.
Local products
Most of the population lives from agriculture. The milk of goats and sheep is used to make feta , as well as myzithra and yoghurt , and other dairy products if required. The meat is of exceptional quality. The soil and climatic conditions favor the production of nuts , cherries and wine. Honey is also a regional specialty. This honey gets its characteristic dark color from the nectar of the chestnut flowers.
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.antroni.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=47
- ↑ WWF Worldwide Fund for Nature (Ed.): Ecological assessment of the wildfires of August 2007 in the Peloponnese, Greece. Report, Athens: September 2007.
- ↑ a b data sheet for site GR2330002, Oropedio Folois
- ↑ VisitFoloi: Τοπικά Προϊόντα ( Memento of the original from July 11, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
Web links
- Homepage of the Androni municipality
- Article on the community site
- Tourism information