PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The wetland of Amvrakikos is a complex ecosystem consisting of the shallow marine waters of Amvrakikos gulf, the deltas of Louros and Arachtos rivers, and a lagoon system composed of 3 large lagoons (Logarou, Tsoukalio, Rodia) and many smaller ones, and the largest marsh in Greece (Rodia). The mosaic is completed by mudlands, forested hills, wet meadows, extensive reedbeds and agricultural fields. The area, which is an pSCI, a SPA and a Ramsar site, hosts at least 82 bird species listed in Annex I, including Pelecanus crispus, Aythya nyroca, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Botaurus stellaris, Aquila clanga, Aquila pomarina and Numenius tenuirostris whereas the gulf is also used for feeding by the priority species Caretta caretta. The main threats for the lagoons are increased salinity and insufficient water circulation. These factors have led to the degradation of various habitat types important for the aforementioned bird species. Other activities that have a negative impact on wetland quality are logging, poisoning to control predators, and overgrazing. Two problems directly threatening bird populations are human disturbance and illegal hunting. The local population of C. caretta is threatened by incidental catch and intentional killings, mainly by fishermen.
OBJECTIVES
The project aims at a) the restoration of the lagoons’ characteristics, b) the protection and management of 6 priority bird species (Pelecanus crispus, Aythya nyroca, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Botaurus stellaris, Aquila clanga, Aquila pomarina) and their habitats and c) the protection of sea turtles in the marine area. The specific objectives (expected results) are the following:
Restoration of appropriate abiotic conditions and habitat structure in the 3 main lagoons. Restoration of appropriate habitat structure in marshland, water grassland and woodland for the benefit of the targeted bird species (with the exception of the Pelicans). Conservation and long-term increase of Pelecanus crispus breeding population. Decrease of the loggerhead mortality in the marine part of the site. Effective safeguarding of the site against illegal activities and reduction of disturbance to priority bird species. Increase of the local population's appreciation of the site, its conservation values and its potential economic benefits. The project is based on the management proposals included in the Specific Environmental Study submitted to the Ministry of Environment prior to the project. The main action foreseen for lagoon restoration is the control and regulation of water quality through the construction and operation of a sluice and ditch system; their operation is based on a water management plan and on continuous monitoring of water quality through automatic monitoring stations. Habitat rehabilitation is foreseen through reed bed management with water-buffaloes, and reforestation. Actions aiming directly at the protection of birds are the creation of artificial islets and wardening. C. caretta individuals will be tagged and their movements will be followed with satellite telemetry, while a genetic analysis will try to identify their connection with other important sea turtle populations. Finally, awareness campaigns will be undertaken, targeting fishermen, hunters, visitors and local authorities.
RESULTS
This LIFE-Nature project was of particular importance for the following reasons: 1) The site is of exceptional ecological and conservation importance; in fact the LIFE-Nature project not only confirmed this but also discovered new elements (like the breeding of B. stellaris) which add further value to the site. 2) Despite the site’s importance, the project was one of the first cases within the context of LIFE-Nature in Greece which involved the integrated management of habitats and species (being both a pSCI and a SPA), with advanced habitat restoration actions. 3) The project fitted within the local Development Agency's general strategy for the sustainable development of the area. Regarding the specific objectives of the project, as set out in the approved proposal, the following actions were carried out: Restoration of appropriate abiotic conditions and habitat structure in the 3 main lagoons:
The sluice and channel system that was created through the project reproduces the functions of the old Louros river bed, which used to guarantee freshwater input in the lagoons of Rodia and Tsoukalio. The freshwater inflow right after the end of the construction works proved to have very positive effects on the salinity and vegetation structure in both lagoons, and also in the Rodia marsh. No similar works were foreseen in the context of the project for the 3rd large lagoon, Logarou, but the management plan that was created through the project did foresee a set of required measures in order to increase freshwater flow into that lagoon as well, and the beneficiary has almost definitely secured funding for the implementation of these works. The setting up, testing and operation of a water monitoring system was used in order to monitor water quality continuously in all three lagoons, and to assist the water management decision-making process. Fortunately, during the project no "emergencies" were detected. As far as habitat structure is concerned, the freshwater inflow had a great positive impact: in the couple of months following the sluice and channel system operation, the vegetation structure evolved (expansion of Hydrocharis ramna-nasus), and the freshwater is also expected to benefit the calcareous fen Cladium mariscus. Restoration of appropriate habitat structure in marshland, humid grassland and woodland for the benefit of the targeted bird species (with the exception of the Pelicans). The aforementioned works (sluices and ditches) and the resulting freshwater inflow had a direct positive effect on the Rodia marshland, which is the largest one in Greece and which constitutes a particularly important habitat for many bird species in Amvrakikos. Additional measures taken by the beneficiary (e.g. reedbed management with buffaloes) in Rodia marsh led to important changes of vegetation structures: parts of the dense reedbed were transformed into wet meadows, a particularly valuable habitat for certain birds and fish species. The monitoring that followed showed that all those changes in vegetation structures attracted various species (fish and birds). As far as woodland is concerned, the project undertook planting actions in two key areas: the remnants of the Louros riparian forest and the hill of Mavrovouni. The reforestation success rate was very high (about 80% in both cases): however, the benefits of those measures for the bird species will become evident only after many years, when trees will be much older (i.e. a minimum of 15-20 yrs). The project also provided maintenance (irrigation and creation of water reservoir) for reforestation measures undertaken in the Profitis Ilias hill by the Monastery of Profitis Ilias with non-LIFE funds, so as to increase the reforestation success rate in this area as well, since this hill may also serve as a foraging and roosting area for raptors that are hosted in the wider Amvrakikos area. Conservation and long-term increase of Pelecanus crispus breeding population The artificial islets that were created in Tsoukalio lagoon were adopted by the Pelicans, even though not for breeding. However, the fact that there is now more ample space that the Pelicans can use is a good guarantee for their breeding success in the area. This action was implemented for the first time in Greece, and the experience gained is very important. Despite the fact that disturbance from humans continues to occur occasionally, the breeding population in Amvrakikos has increased (also as a result of better wardening) from 32 pairs (data in Natura 2000 SDF of 1998) to 92 pairs (observations in 2003). Decrease of the loggerhead mortality in the marine part of the site The project confirmed the importance of Amvrakikos as a feeding and resting area for sea turtles (also for the Green turtle, Chelonia mydas), and implemented actions related to sea turtles in the Amvrakikos bay for the first time. Some of those actions (satellite tracking) were implemented for the very first time in Greece, and provided really interesting results (e.g. the tracking of a turtle from Amvrakikos all the way down to Crete, Syria, then Turkey). A good collaboration scheme was set up with local fishermen, which provided a good insight on the fishermen-sea turtles conflict, while the public awareness activities sensitised the population with regards to the target species. Even though there is no evidence to support whether Caretta's mortality did actually decrease as a result of those efforts, the actions undertaken by Archelon (who plans to continue them after the project’s end) set a good basis for the reduction of mortality. Effective safeguarding of the site against illegal activities and reduction of disturbance of priority bird species The project set up a good wardening system, with 6 local people who were specially trained and equipped. The permanent patrolling of these wardens in the project area worked as a deterrent for perpetrators, and this has reduced illegal activities and disturbance to priority bird species. However, the fact that the project wardens did not have the right to arrest perpetrators or to confiscate equipment was a problem; for that reason, the collaboration with Forest Service staff and the wardens of the Hunting Association was of prime importance. Disturbance was yet limited thanks to public awareness activities, which increased awareness among the local population on some issues, such as the importance of certain habitats and species, and the effects of disturbance on the species (and particularly their breeding). Increase local peoples’ appreciation of the site, its conservation values & its potential economic benefits The local reputation of the beneficiary, the permanent presence of project staff in the project area, the organisation of various events, the involvement of key target groups in the decision-making process, the setting up of two information centres and the extensive media work undertaken guaranteed the good acceptance of the project by local stakeholders, and increased the local population's and visitors' appreciation of the site’s unique conservation value. Both information centres were important poles of attraction for visitors (tourists, schoolchildren, etc.), thus allowing locals to realise that the conservation value of the site can also bring about financial benefits to the local population. As far as financial benefits are concerned, the project works (sluices and ditches) had a direct positive impact on the fish stocks, a key financial resource, which increased as a result of the decrease in salinity in both lagoons.
