Troodos Ecosystem
The Troodos Mountains are a geological wonder: a 90-million-year-old piece of ocean floor (ophiolite complex) uplifted above sea level by tectonic forces. Geologists from around the world come here to study the unique rock formations.
Flora
- Black Pine (Pinus nigra): The dominant tree species in the higher Troodos, some over 500 years old
- Cyprus Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia): An endemic species, found only in the Cedar Valley (Koilada ton Kedron) west of Olympus. One of the rarest trees in the Mediterranean.
- Endemic Orchids: 30+ orchid species, several of which are found only in Cyprus — in spring (March–April) the slopes bloom in all colors
- Wildflowers: In spring, the vegetation explodes: anemones, tulips, cyclamen, wild gladioli
Fauna
- Cypriot Mouflon (Agrino): The emblem of the island — a wild mountain sheep found only in Cyprus. Nearly extinct, recovered to about 3,000 animals through conservation programs. Best seen in the Paphos Forest.
- Eleonora's Falcon: Breeds on the cliffs of Cape Greco and Akamas. Elegant and rare.
- Cats: Cyprus is not called the "Island of Cats" for nothing. Legend has it that Saint Helena brought 1,000 cats to the island to control the snake population. Today, hundreds of thousands of semi-wild cats live on the island.
