Tulipa akamasica

Due to uncontrolled overgrazing by goats, part of the known population has been fenced since the 1990s (c.300 m²); the population outside the fenced area has been nearly destroyed and only few plants survive to produce flowers and further protection measures were urgently needed (Christodoulou et al. 2014). However, recently (early 2015) almost all the AOO was fenced and it is expected to provide protection against grazing during the critical period of flowering and fruiting.

Grazing should be totally banned in the period from late winter to June, followed by moderate, controlled grazing to prevent the vegetation becoming a very dense phrygana or maquis (Christodoulou et al. 2014). Efforts to establish ex situ conservation of the species (Athalassa Cyprus; Botanical Garden Berlin-Dahlem) have not been entirely successful. So far, no flowers have been produced ex situ, although cultivation continues (R. Hand pers. comm. 2015).

The species has been assessed in Cyprus as Critically Endangered (CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v)) (Tsintides et al. 2007). The entire known population is within the Chersonisos Akama Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (a Natura 2000 site).