Athamanika mountains (Tzoumerka) - Map Area - Hellenic Ornithological Society

Criteria: B2, C6
Coordinates: 39° 30' 30.384" N 21° 7' 21.318" E	Altitude: 300-2.429 m	Area: 53331 ha
Region: Ipeiros, Thessalia		Prefecture: Ioannina,, Arta, Trikala

MEMORANDUM

Map:

Site description:

The area is located at the northwest part of south Pindos, between Thessaly and Epirus, and it includes mounts Athamanika and the gorge of river Arachthos. Athamanika is one of the largest mountain ranges in Greece, extending for more than 30 km while their highest peak reaches an altitude of 2,429 m (Kakarditsa). With a north to south orientation, they form a single geographical unit with mount Lakmos (Peristeri) and are separated from the massif of Pindos by river Acheloos. To the east, the plateau of Kostilata is one of the most important sites for Gyps fulvus. The ecosystems occurring in this area include extensive alpine and subalpine grasslands, upland wet meadows and small wetlands, pasturelands with shrub and herbaceous vegetation, forested slopes at lower altitudes and agricultural land. The main human activities are livestock breeding, agriculture and forestry, while ecotourism has been gradually developing in recent years.

Habitats:

Shrubland (47.8 %), Forest (21.3 %), Rocky Areas (11.4 %), Grassland (11.1 %), Artificial landscapes (7.8 %), Wetlands (inland) (0.6 %)

Birds:

An important site for raptors and species associated with forest, shrubland and alpine grasslands. Up until the ’80s, Gyps fulvus used to breed in the area while Gypaetus barbatus also nested here once.

Species	Year	Season Status	Abundance	Minimum Population	Maximum Population	Units	Data accuracy	Criteria 2000
Alectoris graeca	1996	R	F				C	B2
Ciconia nigra	2005	B	P				B
Falco naumanni	2005	non-B	F				B
Falco peregrinus	2005	R		5	8	P	B
Pernis apivorus	2005	B		20	40	P	B
Neophron percnopterus	2005	B		0	1	P	B
Circaetus gallicus	2005	B		5	7	P	B
Aquila chrysaetos	2002-3	R		2	3	P	B	C6
Dryocopus martius	2005	R	F				B
Lanius collurio	2005	B	C				B
Lullula arborea	2005	B	C				B
Monticola saxatilis	2005	B	F				B
Ficedula semitorquata	2005	B	P				C
Emberiza hortulana	2005	B	C				B

Protection Status:

• SCI: GR2110002 Ori Athamanon (Neraida) (18,695 ha, 35 %), GR1440001 Aspropotamos (20,094 ha, 0.9 %)

• EA: Lake Pamvotida (41,655 ha, 2 %)

• WR: Evryteri periochi charadras potamou Arachthou (2,721 ha, 5 %), Anatolika Tzoumerka Koinotitas Theodorianon Dimou Athamanias (1,448 ha, 3 %), Koutsouro (Tzakouta - Mnimata - Katafytou - Anthousas) (1,780 ha, 0.3 %)

• NP: Tzoumerka, Peristeri and Arachthos gorge (81.954 ha, 88 %)

Conservation issues:

The main threats for the area’s avifauna include the illegal use of poisoned baits, the abandonment of traditional farming activities, illegal hunting, the construction of upland roads and the plans for new development projects (wind farms, hydroelectric dams). A serious problem for scavenger species arises from the reduction of food availability due to the closure of landfills and the stricter legislation concerning the abandonment of animal carcasses and slaughterhouse remains in the countryside. Thus the establishment of feeding tables is considered necessary.

The Management Body of the National Park of Tzoumerka, Peristeri and Arachthos gorge has been operating in the area since 2009.

References / useful links:

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