Improved Habitat Mapping Reveals Ecological Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Service Potential in a Mediterranean Mountain Natura 2000 Site

Mediterranean mountain protected areas require detailed habitat information for conservation and management. We revised the habitat type map of Mt. Falakro Natura 2000 SAC (GR1140004), northern Greece, as a pilot application focused on grasslands. Evidence comprised 48 vegetation plots surveyed in June 2025, georeferenced photographs, observations during travel across the wider study area, and subsequent photointerpretation informed by this field evidence. Three Annex I (Dir. 92/43/EEC) habitat types absent from the baseline inventory were identified: 6170, 6210 and priority habitat type 6230*. The mapped extent of 62A0 was 87.3% lower in the revised dataset, whereas 6170 occupied 2223.52 ha; larger mapped areas were also recorded for 4060 and 5210. These differences document revised habitat type attribution and do not establish equivalent temporal ecological change. The floristic evidence and spatially explicit revisions identify distinct conservation and monitoring targets within the grassland–heathland–shrubland–forest mosaic. Existing CICES habitat type–ecosystem service associations highlight potential ecosystem services and their inclusion in forest and pasture management. The case study supports systematic remapping of Greek Natura 2000 sites using high-resolution orthoimagery, extensive fieldwork and independent reference data. Such mapping could inform conservation efforts, nature restoration and ecosystem accounting, towards the implementation of EU and national strategies and regulations.