Echinades, Kalamos and Atokos islands - Map Area - Hellenic Ornithological Society

Criteria: C7
Coordinates: 38° 26' 9.397" N 21° 0' 48.888" E	Altitude: 0-745 m	Area: 36762 ha
Region: Ionia Nisia		Prefecture: Lefkada, Kefallinia

MEMORANDUM

Map:

Site description:

This is an archipelago consisting of 25 islands and islets west of Aitoloakarnania, located among the estuary of Acheloos, the wetland of Mesolongi and the island of Lefkada. The islands are mainly covered by shrubland or rocks bare of vegetation, although some are forested, such as Kalamos and Petalas. It is considered to be one of the most interesting fishing grounds in Greece, also hosting many cetaceans apart from seabirds. The interaction of this insular area with the rich ecosystem of the estuary of Acheloos forms a complex of exceptional importance for biodiversity. Many marine fish farms have been established in the area over the past decades. Other human activities include livestock breeding, fisheries and tourism, especially sailing, since the area is one of the most popular in Greece for this recreation activity.

Habitats:

Shrubland (64.6 %), Artificial landscapes (14.3 %), Forest (11.8 %), Grassland (7.1 %), Coastline (2.3 %).

Birds:

This site is important for breeding and wintering raptors and species associated with inland cliffs and rocky outcrops. The island of Oxeia used to host a colony of Gyps fulvus, while Aegypius monachus used to overwinter in the area.

Species	Year	Season Status	Abundance	Minimum Population	Maximum Population	Units	Data accuracy	Criteria 2000
Puffinus yelkouan	2006	non-B		60	0	I	B
Egretta garzetta	2000-2	B		5	150	P	A
Gulosus aristotelis	2006	R		20	35	P	A
Clanga clanga	1996	W		1	4	I	C
Aquila heliaca	2000-7	W	P				C
Aquila chrysaetos	2002-6	B		1	2	P	A
Bubo bubo	1994	R		2	2	P	B
Gulosus aristotelis	2006	R		20	35	P	A	C6

Protection Status:

• SPA: GR2310015 Delta Acheloou, limnothalassa Mesolongiou - Aitolikou kai ekvoles Evinou, nisoi Ehinades, nisos Petalas, dytikos Arakynthos kai stena Kleisouras (44,186 ha, 22 %)

• SCI: GR2310001 Delta Acheloou, limnothalassa Mesolongiou - Aitolikou, ekvoles Evinou, nisoi Echinades, nisos Petalas (35,510 ha, 22 %), GR2220003 Esoteriko Archipelagos Ioniou (Meganisi, Arkoudi, Atokos, Vromonas) (86,944 ha, 1.4 %)

• NP: Mesolongi and Aetoliko lagoons, and Acheloos and Evinos estuaries and Echinades islets (59,333 ha, 22 %)

Conservation issues:

Conservation issues: The area is bordering the large commercial port of Astakos thus marine pollution comprises an important threat. The rapid development of mariculture also contributes to marine pollution. It is expected that this ecosystem will be affected in the future by the works for the diversion of river Acheloos up in the valley causing changes in the region of the estuary (sedimentation rates, annual volume of freshwater flowing into the delta). Other important threats include illegal hunting, continuous tourist development (disturbance caused by leisure boats during summer) and the abandonment of traditional land uses (livestock breeding) on the islets of the archipelago. The increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires comprises another important future threat.

References / useful links:

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