Download THE EVROS RIVER

BIODIVERSITY REPORT
The Evros Delta
Sgouridis Fotis
THE EVROS RIVER
• A Natural Border
For 204km
THE EVROS DELTA
•
The Delta Area
Covers
Approximately
188km2
• It is Formed by the
Alluvial Deposits of
the River and shaped
by the Sea
LOUTROS
• During rainy
seasons, the seasonal
stream Loutros also
brings fresh water to
the Delta.
DRANA LAKE
• Drainage works
for agriculture
after 1950 until
1970 caused
major changes in
the Delta.
• The most of
Drana lake is
now drained!
Ecological Value Of The
Wetland
1)Recharges groundwater
2) A giant natural filter
3) Photosynthesis
4) Water for drinking and for
irrigation
5) Prevents flooding
6) Affects the local climate
7) Grazing and fishing
8) Salt- mines
9) Variety of plant and animal
species
10) Research, Education,
Entertainment
FLORA- VEGETATION
• Remnants of a
formerly extensive
Riparian Forest
• This forest needs
special care because
such habitats are now
rare in Greece.
Saltmarshes
• The saltmarshes
play a major role
in controlling
floods when the
sea level is high.
Tamarisks
• Grow in the border
areas between salt
and fresh water
• It is a hardy plant
which withstands
flooding and high
salinity
FAUNA
ANIMAL'S DISTRIBUTION
Fishes
Amphibia 11% Reptiles
2%
5%
Mammals
10%
Birds
72%
Number of
species
• 46 Fishes
• 7 Amphibians
• 21 Reptiles
• 40 Mammals
• 304 Birds
Mammals
• Otter is an
aquatic mammal
that needs clean
fresh water and
rich vegetation.
• It is a species
characterized as
vulnerable!
The Little Suslic (Cittelus cittelus)
• Another
vulnerable
species!!
Birds- Ornithological
significance of the Delta
«The Birds Kingdom»
75% of the total Greek species of birds!
• Habitat for nesting and feeding for many groups of
birds (herons, cormorants, gulls, and birds of prey
• Wintering area for a large number of waders from
northern, central and eastern Europe
• Resting area for large numbers of migratory birds
during their migration to and from Middle East and
Africa
The Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
carbo)
The Avocet (Recurvirostra
avosetta)
The Spur- winged Plover
(Hoplopterus spinosus)
Mediterranean Gulls (Larus
melanocephalus)
• Probably their
large colony
does not exist
any more, due
to human
interventions in
Drana lagoon!
The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
• At least
145
different
species
of birds
spent
their
winter at
the
Delta
The Pygmy Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax pygmeus)
The White Egret (Egretta
garzetta)
Migratory Birds
• The Dalmatian
Pelican
(Pelecanus
crispus) is a
protected
species
The Flamingo (Phoenicopterus
ruber)
• The flamingos
have become
almost full time
residents since
1983
The Spoonbills (Platalea
leucorodia)
The Slender- billed Curlew
(Numenius tenuirostris)
• Its total
population
consists of 1000
individuals in
the whole world
• The Evros Delta
is the most
important
biotope for that
bird’s migration
stations
Human Activities- Livestock
• Today the Delta
is seriously
overgrazed!
• The controlled
grazing could
help the better
managament of
the ecosystem
and the balance
of the biotope
Human Activities- Fishing
• Fishing is
compatible
with the
functioning
of a wetland
Human Activities- Hunting
• Over
exploitation of
the stocks of
waterfowl, by
overshooting,
will only
destroy the
resources
completely
Legal- Status
The Evros Delta is included in the following
conventions
1) Ramsar Convention
2) Barcelona Convention
3) Bern Convention
4) E.U. Directive 79/409 and Ministerial Decision
(3110/3/5/1980)
5) NATURA 2000 (E.U. Directive 92/43)
«The Evros should be allowed to compose
and paint the landscape as Nature intended.
Let’s not eliminate these lively colors from its
pallet… Let’s protect its beauty!»
REFERENCES
All the photos were taken from:

S.Kladara- G.Handrinos, 1994, The Evros Delta,
T.E.D.K. Evrou and WWF- Greece.

Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning &
Public Works, Athens 1997, Meeting The Wetlands.