Greece: Evros Delta

 
Site fact file
Natura 2000 Ambassador for the Natura Network Initiative...   Representative of EVROS DELTA MANAGEMENT BODY 
Eleni Makrigianni
 
Country Greece
Natura 2000 site location Evros Prefecture
Nearest urban settlement Alexandroupolis
Natura 2000 site name Evros Delta
Natura 2000 site number GR1110006 (SPA), GR1110007 (SCI)
Size of site (hectares) 13,121 ha
Site classification / description Complex of wetlands (river delta). Ramsar site. Of great importance for birds occuring in the delta are the reed bed formations dominated by Phragmites australis, Scirpus maritimus, Typha angustifolia, T. latifolia, Schoenoplectus lacustris etc., fringing lagoons and freshwater canals and stagnant or slowly flowing waters of fluctuating depths. important for the wetland is, also, the aquatic vegetation in shallow freshwater ponds and canals, dominated by rooted aquatic plants with floating leaves or submerged with often emerging flower spikes (Nymphaea alba, Trapa natans, Ranunculus fluitans, Potamogeton crispus, P. pectinatus, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum sp. etc.
Key Species types Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Pelecanus onocrotalus, Pelecanus crispus, Botaurus stellaris, Anser erythropus, Branta ruficollis, Aythya nyroca, Oxyura leucocephala, Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila clanga, Aquila heliaca, Tetrax tetrax, Hoplopterus spinosus, Numenius tenuirostris, Larus melanocephalus, Larus genei, Gelochelidon nilotica.
Key Habitat types 1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by the sea water all the time
1130 Estuaries
1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide
1150 Lagoons
1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines (Cakiletea maritimae)
1310 Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand
1410 Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)
1420 Mediterranean and thermo - Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Arthrocnemetalia fruticosae)
1510 Salt steppes (Limonietalia)
2110 Embryonic shifting dunes
2120 Shifting dunes aling the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes)
3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition - type vegetation
6420 Mediterranean tall - herb and rush meadows (Molinio - Holoschoenion)
92D0 Thermo - Mediterranean riparian galleries (Nerio - Tamaricetae)
Key management issues

Sustainable grazing in the protected natural areas (effect on saltmashes and species like Anser erythropus, Branta ruficollis, Botaurus stellaris, Himantopus himantopus, Burhinus oedicnemus, Glareola pratincola, Hoplopterus spinosus, Vanellus vanellus, Tringa totanus, Larus melanocephalus, Riparia riparia). Hunting impacts on habitats and species (effect on tamarisks and bird species like Phalacrocorax carbo, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Cygnus olor, Branta ruficollis, Tadorna tadorna, Mergus albellus, Buteo buteo, Tetrax tetrax). Restoration of water regime, especially the freshwater supply by the river (effect on wet meadows and most of animal species). Designing and implementation of integrated Management Plan.

 

Natura Network Agreements
Organising at least one Green Days event per year In 2006, the following Green Day Events will be carried out: i) educational project for selected schools of the area about the "values of the wetland for the local economy" ii) three volunteer days with the participation of local groups of scouts, schoolchildren and members of ecological societies that will carry out practical habitat tasks including tree plantation maintainance and rubbish collection.
Promoting Natura 2000 at the local level Promotion of Natura 2000 (Evros Delta site) is achieved through the following actions: participation on local events throughout the year, every day contact with stakeholders on the wetland during the wardening of the area, articles and interviews in the local media, public awareness campains to local educational institutions and touristic companies.
Involved in site twinning / networking / knowledge exchange between sites Our site is in regural exchange of working knowledge with Dadia Forest Reserve (GR1110002). This exchange includes exchange of information and experience about site management, ecotourism, bird caring and other topics. Life project "Restoration and Conservation Management of Drana lagoon in the Evros Delta" (LIFE00/NAT/GR/7198) was a part of a network of Ramsar wetlands financed by LIFE Projects. Exchange of experience and knowledge was achieved with the following wetlands (all in Greece): Nestos Delta, Prespes, Amvrakikos and Kotychi.
Involving local stakeholders in the management planning process - creating a local area partnership Since 1997, Evros Delta Visitor Centre is implementing an awareness campain for the local stakeholders through an every day contact with them, participation in local events, organisation of seminars and workshops.
Branding Natura 2000 Visitor Centre and labels in the wetland carry the logo of Natura 2000. Information about Natura 2000 will be given to all participans of Green Week and other events during 2006 (local events, events with schools, etc.)
Agreeing to become an NNi ambassador Eleni Makrigianni info(a)evros-delta.gr is a NNiAmbassador

 

Site photos
     
         

 

Events and Activities
Green Days 2006

A three hour educational event took place (13/4/2006) in Anthia primary school, for children of 9 years of age. It included:

- a slide show about the values of Evros Delta (A Natura 2000 site)for wildlife and nature,
- a game about how to recognise birds from their voices,
- educational activities (exercises of knowledge)about the values of Evros Delta,
- artwork (collage with materials from Evros Delta).

The event was the first part of an educational project for the same group of children with the title: "the values of the wetland for the local economy".

 

 

Site contact Eleni Makrigianni info(a)evros-delta.gr
Web site http://www.evros-delta.gr