Ecological Baseline Study and Biodiversity Action Plan to harmonize the project with EBRD financing requirements in terms of biodiversity

Xerotopos photovoltaic project is located in the west of Aetoloacarnania Regional Unit, Greece. The PV plant will be located mainly on agricultural land, while oak forests are also prevalent mainly in the northern segment of the study area. ​

In the framework of the Biodiversity Baseline Study, field surveys have been performed for >12 months, as required by the EBRD. The overall aim was to assess which biodiversity features are present in the study area and the research was performed in line with EBRD’s commitment to ensure that projects are structured to meet EU environmental principles, practices and standards. Fieldwork was undertaken in the area outlined by the PV plant’s polygon, located in Rougovitsa plateau. The area was surveyed for all groups of plants and animals that have been outlined in the Desktop Analysis Report. Trail cameras and bioacoustics devices were also installed for recording mammals and nocturnal birds.​

Ten (10) species of reptiles and amphibians, that qualify as CHF are present within the EAAA: Bufotes viridis, Hyla arborea, Triturus macedonicus, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Lacerta trilineata, Podarcis ionicus, Pseudopus apodus, Testudo hermanni and Testudo marginata. The amphibian species were mainly found in ponds, the majority of which have already been excluded by the installation of any associated infrastructure. Apart from ponds, microhabitats such as hedgerows, stone walls, clearance cairns, springs, and troughs are also considered important for supporting herpetofauna, i.e. lizards, snakes and terrestrial tortoises. There are several sites within the study area, where these microhabitats occur in high density, creating a mosaic which should be maintained for several reptilian species. ​

Apart from the CHF species, fourteen (14) other species and three (3) habitat types which, although not meeting the CH criteria, were assessed as PBFs and therefore should receive attention.

The habitat types which qualify as PBFs are a) the Eastern sub-mediteranean dry grasslands, b) the riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia and c) the Quercus macrolepis forests (62A0, 91F0 and 9350). They are listed in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC and they cover 16.85% of the study area in total. ​ ​

In terms of species, all that meet the PBF criteria are birds, which are primarily concentrated in three specific habitat areas of the project area. Circaetus gallicus was recorded feeding over the surrounding mountains. ​

In addition, a separate map has been generated illustrating the distribution of ancient and old trees across the study area, as well as those sites which are considered as High Nature Value (HNV) silvopastoral habitats due to the high density of ancient trees. ​

In a final step of the process, thematic maps were overlaid to identify critical habitats, where HNV sites intersect with sensitive areas. The combined Critical Habitat Area was mapped, emphasizing important sites overlapping with the proposed infrastructure. ​
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