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Evaluation of the ornithological importance of the Alyki Kitrous wetland, Macedonia, Greece: a priority for conservation
Abstract
The ornithological importance of the Alyki Kitrous wetland (Macedonia, Greece) is evaluated for five groups of birds of special conservation interest by comparison with existing criteria. Ten raptor species (six protected in the EC) occurred but in small numbers. Herons also occurred in small numbers, but wintering great white egrets Egretta alba and wintering and summering spoon-bills Platalea leucorodia occurred in numbers of international importance. Waterfowl were especially abundant in winter, but Alyki was of international importance only for shelduck Tadorna tadorna, although in the past it had also been important for Eurasian wigeons Anas penelope. Alyki was also nationally important for the most abundant wintering anatid species, and for overall numbers, and has been occasionally important for coots. Waders were most abundant in spring migration: avocets Recurvirostra avosetta (during most of the year) and collared-pratincoles Glareola pratincola (in summer) occurred in internationally important numbers. Of breeding waders the same species were important in numbers both internationally and nationally. The latter category also included black-winged stilts Himantopus himantopus. Larids formed one of the most abundant groups, and Alyki was internationally important for particular breeding species such as Mediterranean gulls Larus melanocephalus and gull-billed terns Gelochelidon nilotica. It was also nationally important for breeding common Sterna hirundo and little S. albifrons terns and wintering and breeding slender-billed gulls Larus genei. The Alyki Kitrous wetland is threatened by illegal building and unscheduled development of the salines in the area. Priority conservation measures are proposed.
... However, dispersed, smallsized populations in small wetlands often do not gain the attention of scientists and managers the way large avian congregations in well-known important sites do. The population trends of some waterbird assemblages or single species occurring at large Greek wetlands have been studied in some cases (Goutner, 1983;Meininger, 1990;Goutner & Papakostas, 1992;Goutner & Kazantzidis, 1993;De Nobel, 1995;Goutner et al., 2005). Many waterbird species involved are protected under international agreements (such as the Ramsar Convention, the EU Wild Birds Directive, and the EU Habitats Directive). ...
... The protection of the remaining habitats is therefore critical and could be implemented within the framework of conservation of a network of small wetlands in the wider area of Attiki. Goutner & Papakostas (1992) carried out weekly counts during a 12-month period, from October 1988 to October 1989, at Alyki Kitrous wetland, Macedonia, Greece and recorded 63 waterbird species in total. The Vourkari inlet is comparable to the 4-time larger Alyki Kitrous wetland in terms of species richness, but holds considerably lower numbers of most species. ...
... Patterns of occurrence of waterbirds at Vourkari inlet could be compared with published counts from other waterbodies in Greece: Messolonghi wetlands, Alyki Kitrous, Axios Delta (Goutner & Papakostas, 1992;De Nobel, 1995;Goutner et al., 2005). Cormorants, grebes and ducks mainly occurred during winter at both Messolonghi and Alyki Kitrous wetlands. ...
The waterbird assemblage of a small shallow coastal wetland, the Vourkari inlet, western Attiki,
Greece, was studied in 2008. Weekly counts revealed distinctive seasonal patterns of occurrence
and abundance. A total of 54 species of waterbirds were recorded, 22 of which were regular
visitors and 32 scarce vagrants and were classified as residents, winter and early spring migrants,
autumn migrants, and spring migrants. The highest total numbers of individuals were observed
in winter and early spring migration. The monthly number of species varied from 6 in June to 29 in October and was not correlated with the monthly total population size (r=0.420, n=12, ns). The yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), little egret (Egretta garzetta), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), common redshank (Tringa totanus) and dunlin (Calidris alpina) were regularly observed in most of the months, whilst the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus), yellow-legged gull, sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis), great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), common redshank and little egret were the most abundant. The inlet holds nationally important wintering populations of the common shelduck (Tadorna
tadorna), little egret, common redshank and sandwich tern. At least 13 of the regularly occurring species
have an unfavourable conservation status on the national and/or international level. The Vourkari inlet hosts a diverse waterbird assemblage and its value lies more in its use as a feeding, roosting and staging site for wintering and migrating waterbirds. The inlet is currently threatened by overexploitation and conservation efforts should focus therefore on its protection and improvement through the designation of a wildlife refuge and with appropriate habitat management interventions.
... Alyki was an internationally significant breeding, passage or wintering site for several waterbird species up to 1990, including great white egret (Egretta alba), spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope), avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola) and gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica). It was also the most important breeding area outside Russia for the Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus) (Goutner and Papakostas 1992). The salt works developed substantially during the 1980s and 1990s, with increasing extraction of groundwater from drainage channels by pumping stations, designed to prevent dilution of the sea water and increase salt production. ...
... This disturbance (from activity of salt works personnel in the southern lagoon) was exceptional, and waterbird flocks were observed moving north out of the area towards the Aliakmon delta. Data from 1998 and 1999 were compared with previous results from November 1988 to October 1989 (Goutner and Papakostas 1992). These periods are henceforward termed 1999 and 1989 for brevity. ...
... Long-term changes in the hydrological regime at Alyki due to the salt works and consequent change in prey dynamics could therefore affect wader populations. The situation warrants further investigation because Alyki held an internationally important avocet population during most months (Goutner and Papakostas 1992). The differences in breeding populations between 1989 and 1999 are also important . ...
The Alyki wetland in northern Greece is a site of notable herpetological and ornithological importance. A large population of the tortoise Testudo hermanni began to recover slowly (r = 0.016) between 1990 and 1999, following catastrophic habitat destruction in 1980 and slow decline from 1980–1990. Heathland vegetation showed signs of desiccation, probably due to increased drainage by the salt works, including deterioration of Crataegus, Ruscus and Asphodelus, and loss of formerly important food plants of tortoises. Activity and body mass condition of tortoises were reduced in summer in grassy heath habitats. Predation of artificial (chicken egg) tortoise nests increased, and the relative frequency of juveniles (about 1 % of samples) was lower than after severe habitat destruction or pesticide damage. These changes were attributed to an increasing population of badgers, Meles meles. Population levels of waders were lower in 1998/1999 than in 1988/1989, especially avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) for which the site was internationally important. Breeding populations of most waders and larids also declined. Mediterranean gulls, for which Alyki was formerly the most important breeding area outside Russia, did not nest from 1990 to 1998, and nests were unsuccessful in 1999. Changes in breeding populations were due to falling lagoon levels, exposure to predators and vegetation encroachment on islet breeding sites. Midwinter waterfowl populations remained high or increased, however, as alternative feeding areas were available in the lagoon. Preservation of the habitats against development of the salt works and increasing desiccation are necessary to maintain the long-term conservation value of the Alyki site.
... Les moyennes annuelles des données collectées dans le cadre des comptages mensuels de la Réserve présentent la même évolution à la baisse des effectifs. A l'échelle française, les effectifs sont globalement en augmentation sur la période 90-2013 (d'après Wetlands International) Des augmentations d'effectif sont observées en Angleterre (Banks et al., 2006) en Espagne (Navedo et al., 2007), et en Grèce (Goutner et Papakostas, 1992). Une augmentation depuis 30 ans est également observée en mer des Wadden (Blew et Sudbeck, 2005). ...
... Une baisse des effectifs est constatée en Grande Bretagne au cours des 40 dernières années (Banks et al., 2006). De même, il a été mis en évidence une diminution de 20,4% des effectifs en Irlande sur la décennie 1994-2004 (Crowe et al., 2008), et une tendance à la diminution des effectifs en Grèce (Goutner et Papakostas, 1992). En mer des Wadden, une diminution significative des effectifs de 4% par an a été observée (Blew et Sudbeck, 2005). ...
... Ponctuellement, quelques individus peuvent être observés au cours de l'été. (Navedo et al., 2007), et en Grèce (Goutner et Papakostas, 1992). Une augmentation depuis 30 ans est également observée en mer des Wadden (Blew et Sudbeck, 2005). ...
... Une baisse des effectifs est constatée en Grande Bretagne au cours des 40 dernières années (Banks et al., 2006). De même, il a été mis en évidence une diminution de 20,4% des effectifs en Irlande sur la décennie (Crowe et al., 2008, et une tendance à la diminution des effectifs en Grèce (Goutner et Papakostas, 1992). En mer des Wadden, une diminution significative des effectifs de 4% par an a été observée (Blew et Sudbeck, 2005). ...
... Few other studies have examined habitat use and community organization of waterbirds in Greek wetlands (e.g. Goutner and Papakostas 1992;Goutner 1997;Birtsas et al. 2011), whilst studies of habitat selection are lacking. In this study, we aimed at identifying important habitats for the conservation of the waterbirds wintering at the inlet by: (1) recording habitat use, measuring habitat availability and estimating habitat selection and (2) examining how patterns of habitat use differentiate or overlap among species. ...
Background
Small coastal wetlands are vital sites for wintering waterbirds. Identifying important habitats is critical for managing waterbirds effectively. The Vourkari inlet is a small coastal wetland located near the capital Athens, within the most urbanized and industrialized area of Greece. We aimed at identifying the most important habitats for waterbirds at the Vourkari inlet during winter.
Methods
Data about habitat use and availability were collected for 14 waterbird species and for seven habitat classes. Habitat selection (Manly’s selection ratio), overlap indices (Pianka’s niche overlap index) and null models were calculated.
Results
All the studied waterbird species selected available habitats nonrandomly. Shallow waters (0–2 m), were used by 13 waterbirds and selected by five waterbirds. Pools and channels were used and selected by 10 species. Mud was used by nine species and selected by six species. Mud with rocky substrate was used by nine species and selected by eight species. Medium (2–4 m) and deep (4–6 m) open water habitats were used by seven species and selected by four species. Halophytic vegetation was used by six species and selected by two species. Several habitats were selected by nationally important populations: mudflat habitats (i.e., mud, mud with rocky substrate and pools and channels) by Common Redshanks ( Tringa totanus ), halophytic vegetation by Little Egrets ( Egretta garzetta ), shallow waters by Common Shelducks ( Tadorna tadorna ) and medium and deep waters by Sandwich Terns ( Thalasseus sandvicencis ), whilst shallow waters and mudflat habitats were preferred by a possibly internationally important population of Mediterranean Gulls ( Ichthyaetus melanocephalus ). Although overlap in habitat use between species was generally low, null models indicated habitat sharing and a lack of competition.
Conclusions
Waterbirds coexisted in the absence of competition for habitats at Vourkari, where they mostly used and preferred shallow water and mudflats. Small coastal wetlands are numerous, both in Greece and worldwide, therefore our findings would be useful as a basis for comparisons, both temporal at the inlet and spatial with other sites, that would help assess the importance of habitats and improve management strategies to benefit waterbirds, especially in areas with similar Mediterranean-type habitats and climate.
... This importance was noted, mainly for larks, by a recent research carried out in this area [64]. Further, the importance of wetlands for wintering birds is usual in the Mediterranean Basin [65][66][67][68] and the Margherita di Savoia salt flats are one of the most important wintering areas for waterbirds in Italy [69,70]. The major differences between the two seasons were in the selection of more crop dominated areas during the wintering and more natural areas during the breeding season. ...
Nowadays we are seeing the largest biodiversity loss since the extinction of the dinosaurs. To conserve biodiversity it is essential to plan protected areas using a prioritization approach, which takes into account the current biodiversity value of the sites. Considering that in the Mediterranean Basin the agro-ecosystems are one of the most important parts of the landscape, the conservation of crops is essential to biodiversity conservation. In the framework of agro-ecosystem conservation, farmland birds play an important role because of their representativeness, and because of their steady decline in the last Century in Western Europe. The main aim of this research was to define if crop dominated landscapes could be useful for biodiversity conservation in a Mediterranean area in which the landscape was modified by humans in the last thousand years and was affected by the important biogeographical phenomenon of peninsula effect. To assess this, we identify the hotspots and the coldspots of bird diversity in southern Italy both during the winter and in the breeding season. In particular we used a scoring method, defining a biodiversity value for each cell of a 1-km grid superimposed on the study area, using data collected by fieldwork following a stratified random sampling design. This value was analysed by a multiple linear regression analysis and was predicted in the whole study area. Then we defined the hotspots and the coldspots of the study area as 15% of the cells with higher and lower value of biodiversity, respectively. Finally, we used GAP analysis to compare hotspot distribution with the current network of protected areas. This study showed that the winter hotspots of bird diversity were associated with marshes and water bodies, shrublands, and irrigated crops, whilst the breeding hotspots were associated with more natural areas (e.g. transitional wood/shrubs), such as open areas (natural grasslands, pastures and not irrigated crops). Moreover, the results underlined the negative effects of permanent crops, such as vineyards, olive groves, and orchards, in particular during the winter season. This research highlights the importance of farmland areas mainly for wintering species and the importance of open areas for breeding species in the Mediterranean Basin. This may be true even when the species' spatial distribution could be affected by biogeography. An important result showed that the hotspots for breeding species cannot be used as a surrogate for the wintering species, which were often not considered in the planning of protected areas.
... Despite the international interest in the conservation of waders, limited relevant research has been carried out in Greece, and this mainly during short visits in some coastal wetlands. Contributors were the Dutch WIWO (Werkgroep Internationaal Waden Watervogelonderzoek) spring projects in northeastern and western Greece (Meininger, 1990; De Nobel, 1995) and some independent studies in the Evros Delta (Goutner, 1983; Goutner & Kazantzidis, 1993) and Alyki Kitrous (Papakostas, 1989; Goutner & Papakostas, 1992). This paper presents information on the ...
... Greece is located in the eastern Mediterranean migratory flyway, and its coastline is important for gulls and other seabirds (Goutner and Papakostas 1992;Goutner et al. 2005). The Vourkari inlet is a small coastal wetland located in eastern central mainland Greece, near the capital city of Athens, important for over 50 wintering and migrating waterbirds, including four gull species, namely the yellowlegged (Larus michahellis), black-headed (Larus ridibundus), Mediterranean (Larus melanocephalus) and slenderbilled gulls (Larus genei), the latter occurring irregularly and in low numbers (Liordos 2011). ...
The population dynamics and behaviour of the larid assemblage of a Mediterranean coastal wetland, the Vourkari inlet in Greece, were studied during the winter of 2008–2009. More black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus) were seen in the inlet in December, more Mediterranean gulls (Larus melanocephalus) were present from mid-January to mid-February, while little variation was observed in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) numbers throughout winter. Bird numbers remained stable through the day for the yellow-legged gull, but fewer black-headed and Mediterranean gulls were present in the late morning than the other periods. Diurnal activity patterns showed that feeding was the primary behaviour for yellow-legged gulls and resting and sleeping for black-headed and Mediterranean gulls, with locomotion being equally important for all species. All larids were primarily feeding in the late morning period, but yellow-legged gulls were doing so in much higher proportions. These contrasting patterns suggested that the Vourkari inlet was more important as a day roost for black-headed and Mediterranean gulls and a preferred feeding ground for yellow-legged gulls. Furthermore, results suggested that resting and sleeping were interchangeable activities and all other activities had more or less the same time demands on a daily basis, and also a consistent pattern across species in sleeping proportions that might indicate cross-species synchrony in sleep patterns; however future research is needed to resolve these issues. This study provided important new information on the winter ecology of three larids and revealed patterns of wetland use by these species that could help assess the importance of certain areas and improve coastal habitat management strategies to benefit birds.
... In addition to their usefulness for 113 wintering waterfowl (Tamisier, 1979;Verhoeven, 1980;Allouche & Tamisier, 1984;Joensen & Madsen, 1985), Mediterranean lagoon islands and their saltmarsh vegetation constitute important breeding habitat for a variety of waterbirds such as the avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, collared pratincole Glareola pratincola, common tern Sterna hirundo, little tern Sterna albifrons, gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica, Mediterranean gull Larus melanocephalus, slender-billed gull Larus genei and the yellow-legged gull Larus cachinnans michahellis (Blondel & Isenmann, 1981;Goutner, 1985;Atta, 1986;Fasola et al., 1993). Many of these species are threatened in the European Community and their populations are decreasing in large parts of the western Palearctic (Goutner & Papakostas, 1992;Goutner & Isenmann, 1993;Tucker & Heath, 1994). ...
Six species of waterbirds nested colonially on small islands in the Drana saltwater lagoon in the Evros Delta from 1980 to 1986 and in the freshwater lake created in 1989, namely avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, collared pratincole Glareola pratincola, common tern Sterna hirundo, little tern Sterna albifrons, gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica and Mediterranean gull Larus melanocephalus. The favoured islands provided greater isolation, were larger, and had greater cover of plant species preferred by the birds. The most important habitat factor affecting the choice of bird populations in general was isolation of islands. The gradual concentration of most species in the Drana lagoon was due to habitat alteration, predation and disturbance in coastal habitats resulting in scarcity of suitable breeding habitat. The Drana lagoon had a prominent conservation, scientific and economic value and therefore its restoration is recommended by reflooding with sea water, which would better ensure the preservation of the values of the area.
... In the Mediterranean, over half of the approximately 500,000 migratory and wintering shorebirds that occur in the region use salinas (SADOUL et al., 1998). The latter provide important nesting, foraging and roosting habitats to waterbirds that prefer saline or hypersaline habitats (RUFINO et al., 1984 ; GOUTNER & PAPAKOSTAS, 1992 ; MASERO & PEREZ-HURTADO, 2001). Findings suggest that salinas may be of particular value for some species, including waders and the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) (MASERO et al., 2000 ; MASERO & PÉREZHURTADO, 2001 ; PARACUELLOS et al., 2002 ; BECHET et al., 2009 ; DIAS, 2009), but not for some others such as grebes and ducks (PARACUELLOS et al., 2002). ...
Coastal wetlands provide habitat for large numbers and many species of waterbirds. Man-made salinas are a particular habitat type often found in such wetlands. This study is an initiative to understand the differences in bird communities between a salina (including evaporation ponds and prebasin) and a saltmarsh. Bird counts and nest surveys took place in the wetlands of Angelochori, Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1991, when the salina was inactive, and in 1997, 2000-01 when it was active. Counts in evaporation ponds were richer in species, abundance and nests compared to the prebasin and the saltmarsh. These three wetland types supported different bird communities. Similarities among bird communities depended on the inundation of the salina with seawater. Evaporation ponds in their inactive period presented low similarity with the communities of the prebasin and the saltmarsh ; in the active period this was observed only for the saltmarsh. Species showing clear selection for the evaporation ponds were Charadrius alexandrinus, Calidris alpina, Calidris minuta, Recurvirostra avosetta, Sterna hirundo, Sternula albifrons, Sterna sandvicensis and Haematopus ostralegus ; the prebasin was preferred by Phoenicopterus roseus and Anas platyrhynchos, and the saltmarsh by Anas querquedula, Anas clypeata, Plegadis falcinellus, Tringa totanus, Tringa glareola, Tringa stagnatilis and Himantopus himantopus.
... Depending on their particular characteristics all saltscapes are invaluable for the society, because they encompass a vast span of values including cultural and ecological ones due to their architecture, rare halophytic communities, extraordinary salt-tolerant species, hypersaline wetland loving birds, human inventions and craftsmanship to manage brine, and social life related to salt (Kastritsi-Katharios, 1991; Goutner and Papakostas, 1992; Pérez- Hurtado and Hortas, 1993; Marín and Orlando, 1997; Thibault et al., 1997; Petanidou, 1997a, 2001b; Galinou, 1999; Thompson, 1999; Buron, 1999; Masero and Pérez-Hurtado, 2001; Petanidou, 2001b; 2004; Petanidou and Vayanni, 2002; Sadoul, 2002; Geslin et al., 2002; Masero, 2003; Neves et al., 2005, Evagelopoulos et al., 2009, Lekkas and Korovessis, 2009, Zeno, 2009). However, most of the saltscapes in the Mediterranean, especially those in remote areas, are threatened today and disappearing quickly under the pressure of tourism imposing strong land use changes. ...
Saltscapes are landscapes with a long lasting salt-making activity, thus embedded with a blend of salt-related characteristics that marked them physically, ecologically, economically, and culturally. This study, based on a broad survey, focuses on the changing atlas of salt-making business and the consequent land use change in Greece within the 20 th century. Like in many Mediterranean countries, salt-making has been an important activity in Greece, not only because salt catered for local and national needs (food condiment and preservative; basic resource in husbandry and industry), but also because it offered significant revenues to the Greek State. Taxed salt has been produced in 28 semi-or entirely-mechanized State saltworks. The remaining less productive salinas operated in clandestine and were numerous: 48 in lagoons and 307 on rocks. Both salina types produced either self-formed salt or were man-managed (primitive, artisanal). This very dense network of salt-making sites, all located along the coastline, was in operation mostly until WW II, thereafter many sites were gradually abandoned. Today only eight saltworks are active in Greece (dormancy 71.4%) and, despite their increased potential, the overall saltscape loss in the country is significant. Salinas operating in lagoons suffered a spectacular change (93.4%) compared to those on rocks (43.0%). We discuss the reasons of abandonment, especially the role of "globalization" in heritage loss (ecological, cultural). We compare salinas on islands and the mainland as to typology and values and we propose ways of recuperating these threatened resources by using them as alternative poles for local development mainly through tourism.
Vasilios Liordos (2010) Foraging guilds of waterbirds wintering in a Mediterranean coastal wetland. Zoological Studies 49(3): 311-323. The foraging behavior of the waterbird assemblage of a small Mediterranean coastal wetland at Vourkari inlet, Saronikos Gulf, Greece, was studied during the wintering season of 2007-2008. The foraging habitat types and feeding techniques used by each individual of 14 species were recorded during 30 sessions, each involving 4 observation points from which the entire wetland could be scanned. Seven habitat types and 11 feeding techniques were used by waterbirds during the study period. The waterbird assemblage was classified into 5 foraging guilds: stalking ardeids (1 egret and 1 heron), shallow-water divers (1 cormorant and 1 grebe), shallow-water generalists (2 ducks and 4 gulls), shallow-water plunge-divers (1 tern), and mud-peckers (3 small shorebirds). The low bidimensional niche breadth of most species, except gulls, and the low niche overlap among species of different guilds suggested a relatively high degree of specialization within this waterbird assemblage. In contrast, the overlap between species of the same guild was high, although variations in the use of habitats and mainly feeding techniques did occur. Intra-guild habitat partitioning was also observed, with diving and gull species using different zones of shallow-water areas. The 2 main habitats, shallow waters and intertidal mudflats, were the most important for waterbirds, with halophytic vegetation being important only for Little Egrets Egretta garzetta. The information provided herein is useful for a better understanding of birds' habitat requirements and the future management and conservation of coastal wetlands.
The Gull-billed Tern is a tern of continental habits with very dispersed breeding in the western Palearctic. In this region, northern populations have decreased drastically. The Distribution and Population sections have been updated and rewritten and include an analysis of population tendencies, reporting how the species is concentrated in the Mediterranean basin. The Conservation section is new and contains an evaluation of the main factors of impact on populations of the species; some guidelines are proposed for the preservation of these. The Food section has been extensively rewritten, to include new studies of Mediterranean colonies, and data on the feeding of nestlings. The Breeding section has also been updated with information about colony sites, nests and incubation; and a new subsection on colonies has been written. All the data included in these revised sections have been published in scientific journals, congress reports and symposia on water birds.
The foraging behavior of the waterbird assemblage of a small Mediterranean coastal wetland at Vourkari inlet, Saronikos Gulf, Greece, was studied during the wintering season of 2007-2008. The foraging habitat types and feeding techniques used by each individual of 14 species were recorded during 30 sessions, each involving 4 observation points from which the entire wetland could be scanned. Seven habitat types and 11 feeding techniques were used by waterbirds during the study period. The waterbird assemblage
was classified into 5 foraging guilds: stalking ardeids (1 egret and 1 heron), shallow-water divers (1 cormorant and 1 grebe), shallow-water generalists (2 ducks and 4 gulls), shallow-water plunge-divers (1 tern), and mudpeckers (3 small shorebirds). The low bidimensional niche breadth of most species, except
gulls, and the low niche overlap among species of different guilds suggested a relatively high degree of specialization within this waterbird assemblage. In contrast, the overlap between species of the same guild was high, although variations in the use of habitats and mainly feeding techniques did occur. Intra-guild habitat partitioning was also observed, with diving and gull species using different zones of shallow-water areas. The 2 main habitats, shallow waters and intertidal mudflats, were the most important for waterbirds, with halophytic vegetation being important only for Little Egrets Egretta garzetta. The information provided herein is useful for a better understanding of birds’ habitat requirements and the future management and conservation of coastal wetlands.
Several species of rare coastal breeding gulls and terns occupy temporal nesting habitats along the Mediterranean coast. Three of these species, namely Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica, Sandwich tern Sterna sandvicensis and Slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus genei are included in Greek Red Data Book as vulnerable, while the Mediterranean gull Larus melanocephalus is listed as endangered (Legakis and Maragou 2009). Owing to their world wide distribution these species have a low global conservation rank and thus are characterized of “Least concern” by IUCN (Birdlife International 2012a). However on a European level their populations are evaluated as either “Declining” (Sandwich and Gull-billed tern) or “Localized” (Slender-billed gull) partly because of the loss and degradation of suitable nesting habitats along coasts and estuaries (Birdlife International 2012b). Only the Mediterranean gull is evaluated as “Secure” within Europe due to a recent increase in the species’ breeding sites mainly in west and central Europe (Birdlife International 2012b). These species breed on bare or sparsely vegetated low sandy islets on river deltas and other coastal locations which are particularly vulnerable to natural factors such as local sea storms or strong winds (Handrinos 2009) but also to erosion and human disturbance (Fasola & Canova 1996). However direct counts of the breeding populations of these species in the Aliakmonas Delta in early June 2011, have revealed thriving colonies of all four species and also point out the significance of this large wetland complex on a national and european level because it hosts: the only Slender-billed gull colony in Greece the largest Mediterranean gull colonies (and some years the only colonies) in the country and Gull-billed and Sandwich tern colonies that outnumber the total known Greek population for these two species according to the Greek Red Data Book of Threatened Animals (Kazantzidis 2009, Panagiotopoulou & Kazantzidis 2009).
We investigated avian use of the Pantan habitats, a Mediterranean wetland on the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, by comparing censuses from two periods. The Pantan was surveyed for breeding, resident, wintering, and passage birds in the periods from 1968-1972 and 1986-1991. Species richness declined from 67 to 54. Wintering/passage bird species was the most important group of birds but they also declined from 55 in the period 1968-1972 to 42 in the period 1986-1991. The value of the Pantan coastal area to birds was determined by 25 threatened species and 15 "Species of European Special Concern"(SPEC; Tucker & Heath, 1994). The Pantan wetland ecosystem has a floristical, ornithological, and aesthetic value at both the regional and international levels. The wetland ecosystem has been destroyed in part by the construction of artificial fishponds and by the regulation of the water course, and it is threatened by the dumping of garbage and rubble, the sedimentation of lead and nitrogen compounds, and the planned construction of housing and a slaughterhouse. There are impacts from fishing and bunting on waterbirds. The degradation of wetlands is reflected in the reduction of the frequency and/or abundance of 87% of the bird species. We discuss the socioeconomic context for conservation management and sustainable development of coastal wetlands in Croatia. Management measures for conservation of the wetland as a whole are suggested.
The present publication is the most complete, so far, attempt to provide a full bibliography of Greek ornithology. A total of 1179 references are listed, spanning a period of 168 years (1833-2000). This list includes all papers etc. published in scientific journals and magazines, as well as books and other types of scientific publications about the Greek avifauna. Περίληψη Η παρούσα εργασία αποτελεί την πιο ολοκληρωµένη, µέχρι σήµερα, προσπάθεια καταγραφής της ελληνικής ορνιθολογικής βιβλιογραφίας. Καταχωρούνται 1179 συνολικά τίτλοι που καλύπτουν µια περίοδο 168 ετών (1833-2000) και αποτελούν το σύνολο των δηµοσιεύσεων σε επιστηµονικά περιοδικά καθώς και βιβλία ή άλλες επιστηµονικές εκδόσεις για την ελληνική ορνιθοπανίδα.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon
nilotica is classed as Endangered in Europe (Tucker and Heath 1994, Hagemeijer and Blair, 1997), but there have been no detailed studies of the trends in the different populations occurring in Europe and Africa. Here we study the status and trends of the species in Europe and north and north-east Africa. We estimate the total population at 10,500–12,900 breeding pairs, and recognize two biogeographical populations in this region. The western population, comprising colonies in northern Europe (Denmark, Netherlands, Germany), France, Italy, Spain, and north and north-east Africa, consists of at most 6,200 pairs, 1,800 of which are in African colonies. The eastern population, comprising colonies in the Balkan Peninsula, Greece, shores of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and Turkey, consists of at most 6,800 pairs. Two trends were observed: a first phase from 1900 up to the mid-1970s in which the northern European populations practically disappeared; and a second phase of stabilization, or even increase, in some of the western colonies, while the eastern population continued to decline. There is a marked concentration of the species in just a few localities in the countries of the Mediterranean basin.
The diet of Mediterranean Gull chicks was investigated in a Macedonian wetland using three different sampling methods: stomachs from freshly dead chicks (1988), regurgitations (1987) and carcass stomachs (1986–88). In fresh stomachs, gastropods were the most important animal prey by mass and insects by numbers. In terms of overall volume and biomass, wheat grains were the most important food. In regurgitations and carcass stomachs insects were the most important prey. Comparison of the results from the different methods revealed considerable differences which are attributed to feeding behaviour of the gulls and prey dynamics rather than the methodology used. The importance of prey types is discussed; composition of diet probably differs considerably between geographical areasIn einem Feuchtgebiet Mazedoniens wurde die Nahrung junger Schwarzkopfmwen nach drei verschiedenen Methoden untersucht: Magenanalysen frischtoter Kken (1988), ausgewrgte Nahrungsbestandteile (1987) and Mageninhalte toter Jungvgel (1986–88). In frischen Mageninhalten machten der Masse nach Gastropoden, der Zahl nach Insekten die wichtigsten Nahrungsanteile aus. In allen Proben bildeten in Volumen und Biomasse Weizenkrner die wichtigste Nahrung, in ausgewrgten Proben und Mageninhalten toter Vgel Insekten. Der Vergleich der nach unterschiedlichen Methoden gewonnenen Ergebnisse ergab bemerkenswerte Unterschiede der Zahlenververhltnisse, doch nur gelegentliche Unterschiede in den Anteilen der wichtigsten Nahrungsbestandteile. Solche Unterschiede sind hauptschlich auf das Verhalten der Mwen bei der Nahrunungssuche und auf die Dynamik des Beuteangebots zurckzufhren, weniger auf die Methodik der Probengewinnung. Erhebliche geographische Unterschiede in der Ernhrung der Kken scheinen zu bestehen.
http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/groenekennis/512692
Despite protection of the species under the Berne Convention, and of the site by planning restrictions, Hermann's tortoises have again been killed at Alyki, 10 years after the original catastrophe. The authors describe the situation leading up to the recent habitat destruction, and its effect. There is a final opportunity to save the tortoise population before it is destroyed by holiday developments.
Two large, dense and viable populations of Testudo hermanni inhabiting adjacent sites in northern Greece were studied over three years. One site experienced severe habitat destruction by fire during the course of the study, and the other may either have been seriously disturbed in a single event several years previously, or is suffering from a continual low level of disturbance. In the stable situation average population density was estimated as 45 tortoises ha −1 and in parts may have reached 100 ha−1 The adult sex ratio was biased 2:1 in favour of males, due to higher female mortality. Most animals were sedentary, but there were some seasonal movements between vegetation types for feeding. The immediate effect of the fire was an estimated 40% population reduction, with juveniles being most severely affected. Subsequently the growth rate of immature animals rose sharply. This study demonstrates the relative resistance of tortoise populations to a sudden and temporary catastrophe, and their high potential for recovery if left undisturbed.
Use of the coastal region, lower delta and upper delta is evaluated for waders, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds and larids. Within groups, apart from particular periods when the upper delta appeared of greater importance (in terms of population sizes and number of species), the other 2 zones concentrated the highest population and species richness. Trends of populations within groups varied depending on the stage of their life cycle, especially wintering and migration. The Species Equitability Index, reflecting the quality of the system, was notably reduced in the lower delta and coastal region in winter due to overcrowding, especially of waterfowl. Proposed management measures aiming to improve the quality of the system, was notably reduced in the lower delta and coastal region in winter due to overcrowding, especially of waterfowl. Proposed management measures aiming to improve the quality of the delta zones for bird conservation are: flooding of particular areas with freshwater, cessation of drainage, restoration of the Drana lagoon, extension of the non-hunting zone, and strict control of hunting. -from Authors
Use of the coastal region, lower delta and upper delta is evaluated for waders, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds and larids. Within groups, apart from particular periods when the upper delta appeared of greater importance (in terms of population sizes and number of species), the other 2 zones concentrated the highest population and species richness. Trends of populations within groups varied depending on the stage of their life cycle, especially wintering and migration. The Species Equitability Index, reflecting the quality of the system, was notably reduced in the lower delta and coastal region in winter due to overcrowding, especially of waterfowl. Proposed management measures aiming to improve the quality of the system, was notably reduced in the lower delta and coastal region in winter due to overcrowding, especially of waterfowl. Proposed management measures aiming to improve the quality of the delta zones for bird conservation are: flooding of particular areas with freshwater, cessation of drainage, restoration of the Drana lagoon, extension of the non-hunting zone, and strict control of hunting.
The occurrence of slender-billed curlews Numenius tenuirostris in Greece is examined based on 80 records from 1857 to 1988. Up to the mid-20th century, 9 out of 12 records were of shot birds. All the remaining came from the last 30 years. The highest numbers of slender-billed curlew occur in April and early May (spring migration). This picture is largely due to the records from the Evros delta (48% of the total). Apart from the spring months slender-billed curlews were present in greater numbers in September and January than any other month; there are no records in November and December and few in other months. Slender-billed curlews have been recorded in 16 Greek wetlands; 88% of the records come from Northern Greece. These sites lie along well-known migration routes and slender-billed curlews were recorded there more frequently during spring and autumn migration (the latter for Eastern Greece) than at any other season. Most records (n = 38) were from the Evros delta. The birds mainly used the seaward part of the delta and, in most of the 28 cases for which details are available, salt marshes and coastal flats. For this area both the frequency of records and numbers of birds seen suggest that it may be one of the most important sites for slender-billed curlews in the Western Palaearctic. The evaluation of the patterns of occurrence and distribution of slender-billed curlews in Greece may have been subjected to some errors due to the differences in effort put into surveying various sites over the years, the preference by ornithologists to visit Northern Greece, and the great number of wetlands and other potentially appropriate sites in Greece which have never been surveyed. The most urgent need for the conservation of the slender-billed curlew in Greece is the effective protection of the wetlands where it has been regularly observed. Other measures are also suggested.
In the summer of 1980 four members of the University of London Natural History Society went to Lake Alyki in Macedonia to study a population of tortoises Testudo hermanni. Such studies are urgently needed because very little is known about the ecology of Mediterranean tortoises, which are declining seriously, due mainly to habitat loss and collecting for the pet trade. The expedition chose Alyki after an expedition by the same society in 1979 had reported an exceptionally rich wildlife there including a large tortoise population. A new holiday village nearby did not appear to threaten the main wildlife areas, and a commercial salt works only operated at the north end of the lake from which access to the heath was not easy. However, unknown to the four members, the 1980 expedition had walked into an explosive situation. The following account is quoted from their report.
A method is described which was used to classify the ornithological interest of more than 3,000 sites in Britain according to their importance for conservation. Although extremely wide, the range of ornithological interest could be described by three site attributes: population size, diversity and rarity. For any site, quantitative criteria enabled each attribute to be assessed separately in terms of five levels of conservation importance: international, national, regional, county and local. Each site was assigned to the highest level of importance derived from the application of the criteria to the ornithological data. This standardised classification identifies priority sites for conservation planning purposes and it is suggested that it could form a basis for techniques of making detailed comparisons of site quality.
Over 35% of the wetlands of Greece have been lost in recent years, and destruction due to pollution from agriculture and urban
sources and to development continues at an alarming rate. Little information exists on their location and basic ecosystem
characteristics. Most of the 124 wetlands identified in this survey occur in the north and central part of the country, and
they range from coastal lagoons to peatlands. Emergent freshwater marshes and coastal lagoons are the most common wetland
types. Greek wetlands are invaluable nesting and resting habitats for waterfowl, as they are located along the major north-south
migratory corridors. The 1971 international convention in Ramsar, Iran, identified twelve wetlands of international importance
to waterfowl. Without exception, the wetlands of Greece are in need of protection, and the first step in that direction should
be the development of a comprehensive national wetland inventory.
Bird use was measured on six salt marshes in New Jersey from 18 April to 18 July 1977 (2 impoundments, 2 ditched marshes and 2 natural salt marshes) in terms of species diversity, numbers of individuals and biomass. Seventy-eight species of birds were recorded in all six marshes although not all species occurred on each marsh. Species diversity was highest on the impoundments, intermediate on the ditched marshes, and lowest in the natural marshes. Species diversity and the number of individuals directly related to the amount of open surface area. The traditional species typical of salt marshes on the East Coast of North America (clapper rails Rallus longirostris, seaside and sharp-tailed sparrows Ammospiza spp.) occurred primarily in the natural salt marshes and were absent from the impoundments. Considerations of species diversity suggest that diversity in salt marsh types is essential to maintaining high species diversity in salt marsh ecosystems. Red-winged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus and swallows were the most numerous species, followed by gulls and terns. The impoundments had over five times as many individuals as the natural marshes. Waterfowl, gulls, terns and waders accounted for over 90% of the cumulative biomass in the six marshes, with waterfowl contributing over 50%. This study suggests that conservationists should encourage the maintenance of natural salt marshes because they are necessary habitats for some species even though the diversity and avian biomass is less on natural salt marsh areas than it is on managed areas.
Important bird areas in the European Community. Preliminary list of important bird areas in Greece. EC Working Group---ICBP, Contract No The significance of Greece for migrat-ing and wintering raptors
- B Hallmann
Hallmann, B. (1982). Important bird areas in the European Community. Preliminary list of important bird areas in Greece. EC Working Group---ICBP, Contract No. 4/80/586 (447), ICBP, Cambridge, UK (unpublished report)~ Handrinos, G. I. (1987). The significance of Greece for migrat-ing and wintering raptors. In Rapaci MediterraneL III, ed. N. Baccetti & M. Spagnesi. Suppl. Ric. Biol. Selvaggina, 12, 99-113.
Tortoise conservation in Greece
- Hailey
Hailey, A. (1988). Tortoise conservation in Greece. Testudo,
2, 57~8.
Wildlife of the Alyki heaths. 2. Before and after the fire
- Stubbs
Stubbs, D. (1981b). Wildlife of the Alyki heaths. 2. Before
and after the fire. Animals, 9, 14-16.
Conser-vation Action for Anser erythropus and Numenius tenuirostris in the Evros Delta, Thrace, Greece
- V Goutner
- G Handrinos
- S Kazantzidis
Goutner, V., Handrinos, G. & Kazantzidis, S. (1988). Conser-vation Action for Anser erythropus and Numenius tenuirostris in the Evros Delta, Thrace, Greece. Hellenic Ornithological Society-Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Athens.
A preliminary inventory of wetlands of international importance for waterfowl in West Europe and Northern Africa Wildlife of the Alyki heaths. 1. Destruc-tion by fire and plough
- I W R B Spec
- D A Scott
I.W.R.B. Spec. Pubis, No. 6. Scott, D. A. (1980). A preliminary inventory of wetlands of international importance for waterfowl in West Europe and Northern Africa. I. W. R.B. Spec. Pubis, No. 2. Stubbs, D. (1981a). Wildlife of the Alyki heaths. 1. Destruc-tion by fire and plough. Animals, 8, 10-11.
Population estimates of swans, geese, ducks and Eurasian coot Fulica atra in the Western Palaearctic and Sahelian Africa
- J.-Y Pirot
- K Laursen
- J Madsen
- J.-Y Monval
Pirot, J.-Y., Laursen, K., Madsen, J. & Monval, J.-Y. (1989).
Population estimates of swans, geese, ducks and Eurasian
coot Fulica atra in the Western Palaearctic and Sahelian
Africa. In Flyways and Reserve Networks for Waterbirds,
ed. H. Boyd & J.-Y Pirot. I.W.R.B. Spec. Pubis, No. 9,
14-23.
The significance of Greece for migrating and wintering raptors
- Handrinos
Handrinos, G. I. (1987). The significance of Greece for migrating and wintering raptors. In Rapaci MediterraneL III, ed.
N. Baccetti & M. Spagnesi. Suppl. Ric. Biol. Selvaggina, 12,
99-113.
A preliminary inventory of wetlands of international importance for waterfowl in West Europe and Northern Africa
- Scott
Scott, D. A. (1980). A preliminary inventory of wetlands of
international importance for waterfowl in West Europe
and Northern Africa. I. W. R.B. Spec. Pubis, No. 2.
Wildlife of the Alyki heaths. 1. Destruction by fire and plough
- Stubbs
Stubbs, D. (1981a). Wildlife of the Alyki heaths. 1. Destruction by fire and plough. Animals, 8, 10-11.
Expedition to Greece
- D Stubbs
- A Hailey
- W Tyler
- E Pulford
Stubbs, D., Hailey, A., Tyler, W. & Pulford, E. (1981a).
Expedition to Greece 1980. University of London Natural
History Society, London.
Conservation Action for Anser erythropus and Numenius tenuirostris in the Evros Delta
- V Goutner
- G Handrinos
- S Kazantzidis
Goutner, V., Handrinos, G. & Kazantzidis, S. (1988). Conservation Action for Anser erythropus and Numenius
tenuirostris in the Evros Delta, Thrace, Greece. Hellenic
Ornithological Society-Royal Society for the Protection of
Birds, Athens.
Important bird areas in
- R F A Grimmet
- T A Jones
Grimmet, R. F. A. & Jones, T. A. (1989). Important
bird areas in Europe. I.CB.P. Tech. Pubis, No. 9, 271-307.
Important bird areas in the European Community. Preliminary list of important bird areas in Greece
- Hallmann
Hallmann, B. (1982). Important bird areas in the European
Community. Preliminary list of important bird areas in
Greece. EC Working Group---ICBP, Contract No.
Expedition to Greece 1980
- D Stubbs
- A Hailey
- W Tyler
- E Pulford
Stubbs, D., Hailey, A., Tyler, W. & Pulford, E. (1981a).
Expedition to Greece 1980. University of London Natural
History Society, London.
Results of the I.W.R.B. International Waterfowl Census 1967–1983
- Rüger
Population estimates of swans, geese, ducks and Eurasian coot Fulica atra in the Western Palaearctic and Sahelian Africa
- Pirot