European spoonbills on the Louros River, Amvrakikos Gulf wetland.
WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE
Wetlands are probably the most threatened ecosystem in Greece. This list describes the 13 most outstanding wetland areas, including 11 sites designated as wetlands of international importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (indicated by asterisk *).
1. Evros Delta* [Evros]:
Extremely important waterfowl and rare migrant bird staging area. Large numbers of wintering water birds: red-breasted geese, lesser white-fronted geese, wild swans and rare shorebirds.
Threats: Continuous drainage for agricultural intensification, hunting, over grazing. Several rare water birds have ceased breeding in the delta due to human disturbance. Endangered raptors are still shot by sport hunters.
2. Lakes of Thraki (Lake Vistonis and surrounding lagoons*; Lake Mitrikou and lagoons*) [Xanthi, Rodhope]:
Natural coastal lakes with great habitat variety and astounding bird life: Ferrigenous shelduck, flamingos, spoonbills and endangered raptors.
Threats: Drainage and filling-in of marshlands; cutting of riparian forests; industrial and severe agrochemical pollution; intense sport hunting.
IMPORTANT WETLAND BIOTOPES
These are smaller wetland areas or the remnants of larger ones which, due to their size, do not immediately rank as internationally important for wintering waterfowl. Nevertheless, all are extremely important for migratory birdlife, resident wildlife and rare plant communities. These biotopes are epicentres of biological activity, especially in maritime southern Greece. Nearly all these areas are treated as wasteland and most are suffering from various forms of human abuse. (One hundred and six of the most important known sites are shown by green dots on the map).
3. Nestos Delta* including Goubournou Wetland* [Kavala, Xanthi]:
Diverse wetland habitats including relic riparian forest and sand dune fringed lagoons. Exceptionally rich animal life: large numbers of uncommon breeding birds, migratory and wintering water birds.
Threats: Most of the area is degraded by cultivation, an airport, military radio installations, an oil refinery and a huge garbage dump. Habitat destruction continues. A dam under way on the upper Nestos River will significantly disrupt the area's hydrology.
4. Kerkini Lake* [Serres]:
A rich semi-artificial wetland created by a low dam on the Stymon River; the richest waterbird breeding area in Greece. Important wintering and staging area for pelicans and rare raptors.
Threats: Bird nesting habitat has been critically reduced as the dam was recently raised to store more water for agricultural irrigation. Illegal hunting persists as does upstream water pollution from Bulgaria.
5. Lake Volvi - Lake Koronia* [Thessaloniki]:
Important fresh water lakes for breeding and migratory birds.
Threats: Drainage of marshlands, cutting of last lakeside forest (near Apollonia), hunting, poaching, increasing urban and agrochemical pollution.
6. Axios, Aliakmon, Loudias, Gallikos Estuaries* including Aliki Lagoon, Kitros [Thessaloniki, Imathia, Pieria]:
Very large wetland, critical to great numbers of migratory and wintering birds. Aliki lagoon has large colony of Mediterranean gulls and slender-billed gulls.
Threats: Agricultural expansion and intensification; drainage and dump-filling of wetlands; industrial expansion and severe water pollution from agrochemical, industrial and urban sources; hunting and poaching. Holiday home construction threatens Aliki lagoon.
White pelicans at Lake Kerkini of eastern Macedonia.
7. Lakes of Western Macedonia (Heimaditis, Zazaris, Petron and Vegoritis Lakes) [Florina, Kozani, Pella]:
Important area for many rare breeding and wintering birds; vital feeding area for pelicans.
Threats: Continual drainage threatens both Heimaditis and Zazaris and portions of the other lakes. Water pollution and industrial air pollution affect the whole area, as does intense hunting.
8. Lake Mikri Prespa* [Florina]:
Highland lake breeding area for pelicans and other rare species.
Threats: Serious ecological/hydrological changes have occurred from recent changes in adjacent land-use and intensification of agriculture from irrigation developments.
Illegal waterfowl hunting by power boat, Evros Delta, Thraki.
9. Kalamas Delta [Thesprotia]:
Important staging, breeding and wintering area for rare water birds and birds of prey: breeding herons, stilts and spoonbills; visiting imperial eagles and white -tailed eagles.
Threats: Much of wetland has been converted to agriculture. Continuing marsh drainage, water pollution, sport hunting and poaching.
10. Amvrakikos Gulf Wetland* [Preveza, Arta, Aetolo-akarnania]:
Large wetland complex includes vast reed swamps, coastal lagoons with sand bars, and extensive sea-grass beds; most important waterfowl wintering area in Greece; many rare migrant and breeding bird species including relic Dalmatian pelican colony; rich reptile and amphibian fauna; abundant fish life. Bottle-nose dolphins are common in the gulf.
Threats: The upstream damming and diverting of the area's two major rivers, Louros and Arachthos, will severely disrupt this wetland's ecology. Intensive fish farming units, diking, draining, road network expansion, agricultural intensification, agrochemical and industrial pollution are seriously degrading area. Excessive hunting and widespread poaching of wildlife continues.
Flamingos in Lake Arogi, Thraki.
11. Messologhi wetland* [Aetolo-akarnania]:
Extensive area of lagoons, wild dune islets and the productive estuaries of the Evinos and Acheloos river. Abundant bird fauna includes rare migratory and breeding birdlife: Glossy ibis, spoonbills, stilts and pelicans. Coastal waters are rich in fish life.
Threats: Vast areas have been drained for agriculture and grazing land. Roads have penetrated deeply. Tourism and holiday-home building is expanding. Area is now threatened by intensive fish farming, water pollution, hunting and poaching of rare birdlife. The entire Aetolo-akarnania lowland, including irrigated farmland and local fisheries, is threatened by the hydro-electric damming and diversion of the great Acheloos river in the South Pindos Mountains.
12. Sperchios Delta [Fthiotida]:
A unique tidally-influenced estuarine system which supports large numbers of migrating and wintering birds; large concentrations of waders including avocets, prantincoles and black-winged stilts.
Threats: Draining of marshlands; in-filling of mudflats; urban, agrochemical and industrial pollution.
13. Lake Kotihi* [Ileia]:
Important area to migrating and wintering birds.
Threats: Threatened by tourism development, fish farming and expanding road network. Hunting severely disturbs and displaces wintering water birds.
