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Location Achendrias community belongs is located the Asteroussia Mountains in Heraklion, located 12 km south of Pyrgos and covering an area of 3370.2 ha. The village is famous as its stock breeding and locally-produced cheese as well as its many beautiful caves. Achedrias is a hilly area with highly degraded steep slopes. The main problem of land degradation is soil erosion causing leading to land desertification.

Climate

The largest part of the area (67%) receives annual rainfall between 750-1250 mm. The next rainfall classes are 500-750 mm (16% of the area and more than 1250 mm (17%). Average annual air temperature is between 15-18°C, although a large part of the area at higher elevation (37%) has temperature ranging between 12-15°C. The annual potential evapotranspiration is estimated at 1485 mm. The maximum ETo values occur during July.

Geology, topography, soils and hydrology

The main geological formations consist of limestone (56%), and flysch (44%). Limestone or limestone-flysch is mainly found in the southern part of the community while Flysch or flysch-limestone geological materials are mainly found in the northern part of the community.

Topography, Achedrias community is characterized by steep slopes, very steep cliffs and gorges. Altitude ranges from 0 to 1000 m. Main elevation classes are elevation 200-400 m, 400-600 m and 600-800 m, covering about 22 - 28% of the area each. Dominant types of landforms are composite landforms (46%) and steep land found mainly in the north-western part of the community (32%). Sloping land covers 22% of the area, mainly found in the central-eastern part of the community and level land is limited. Achedrias community is mainly characterized by steep slopes, with 48% of the area having slopes greater than 60% and 44% of the area slopes between 35-60%.

Soil orders are primarily Leptosols (56%) and Cambisols (44%) and generally moderately fine-textured, although some medium textured soils are found in the western part of the community. Soils are moderately degraded. Dominant soil depth class is shallow (15-30 cm; 56%) or moderately shallow (30-60 cm; 44%). Advanced erosion lead to the presence of high amounts of rock fragments in the soil surface: rock fragment content is 40-60% in 46% of the area, while the rest of the area in in the 15-40% rock fragment class. Soils are very well drained due to the shallow depth and steep slopes.

The community of Achedrias is crossed by ephemeral channels with deep gradient, carrying surface water runoff during high rainfall events. Also some subsurface water flow is observed supplying water into channels during the wet period. Existing channels have relatively low density due to relatively impermeable parent (limestone). Channel density is higher in areas with flysch parent material.

Ecosystems and land use Achedrias is a dry land ecosystem, 80% of which is located withn the NATURA2000 site. Land cover is primarily sclerophyllous vegetation, classified either as natural grasslands (68%) or sparsely vegetated areas (18%). Cultivated agricultural areas do not exceed 8% of the area (vineyards and complex cultivation patterns). The larger part of Paranymfi is private grazing land, with a small percentage of olive trees and vines.

Population, employment and education

Achedrias has 318 inhabitants and population density of 54.9 inhabitants per km². Slightly more males are found in the 0-49 age groups and more females in the 50+ age groups Percentages of young people are low and the total dependency ratio increased from 58.2% in 1991 to 81.7 % in 2001.

Although agriculture has shrunk it recent years it remains the dominant economic activity and source of employment, employing 80% of the population. The contribution of the tertiary sector increased from 16.4% in 1991 to 23.4% in 2001.

Most residents have received primary education (50%), while 11% have not finished primary school and 18% are illiterate. 2% are university graduates.

Infrastructure

The village has one primary school, while the nearest kindergarten is located in Messochorio and the nearest high school and the lyceum located in Harakas and in Pyrgos. Student transport is a problem. Residents are served by the Harakas health center.

Particular LEDD issues in Achedrias

As a sloping land with adequate plant cover, Achedrias community is subjected to various degrees of soil erosion. The majority of soils are moderately eroded (50%) or slightly eroded (43%). The western part of the community also includes some areas with severe and very severe erosion (1.1% and 7%). Achedrias community is fragile (77%) or critical (6%) with respect to desertification.