KNOSSANO GORGE - FLORA AND FAUNA

Overall the Canyon appear so far 120 plant species of which 40 are found in riverbeds and the rest to the slopes. Endemic species occur only in the slopes of the canyons where there are 11 species, of which 2 are rare and the 9 common endemic of Crete. The rare species is the Bellflower, Campanula tubulosa, that grows in Western Crete and Nepeta Cataria melissifolia,, that is endemic of Crete and Milos and is found in small populations.

Important component of the flora of the Gorge is the presence of a large lifelong cold Elm tree population of Ulmus minor ssp. Canescens. This species occurs in a few people in the region of Chania and is considered to be imported. The existence of a significant population in the Knossano Gorge, indicates that the item is a native of Crete, residue of a once cold season, when there were glaciers in continental Europe.

Fauna

Two migratory bird species that are found in the Gorge are the mygochaftes and grouse. There are also kargies and some brachobia species, such as the thrush. The majority of the remaining species are typical of shrub vegetation. In places where there are freshwater ponds and riparian trees meets a wide variety of passerines, such as spizes and papaditses. Also found in the gorge the water turtle and amphibian green toad and tree frog.