Koufonisi island, Crete - Map Area - Hellenic Ornithological Society

Criteria: B2
Coordinates: 34° 56' 21.921" N 26° 8' 18.097" E	Altitude: 0-74 m	Area: 476 ha
Region: Kriti		Prefecture: Lasithi

MEMORANDUM

Map:

Site description:

The area includes an uninhabited island located to the southeast of Crete, as well as its surrounding islets. Being one of the southernmost and warmer areas in Greece and Europe, it hosts steppic vegetation and flora of African origin, occurring in Greece only in this specific locality and representing the northern extent of their distribution. The islands are mainly covered by low shrubs and phrygana, salt meadows, sand dunes and ruderal land. The relief is relatively smooth with sea cliffs. The main human activities are fisheries and tourism.

Habitats:

Grassland (48.8 %), Coastline (46.8 %).

Birds:

An important area for breeding raptors occurring in coastal cliffs and for seabirds.

Species	Year	Season Status	Abundance	Minimum Population	Maximum Population	Units	Data accuracy	Criteria 2000
Falco eleonorae	2004	B		91	91	P	A	B2

Protection Status:

• SCI: GR4320008 Nisos Koufonisi kai paraktia thalassia zoni (805 ha, 92 %)

• WR: Nisi Koufonisi (418 ha, 78 %)

Conservation issues:

The main threats for Falco eleonorae, which breeds in this area, are illegal hunting as well as egg and chick predation by rats which result in the reduction of the reproductive success of the species. Illegal fishing methods such as dynamite fishing comprise another threat. Recreation activities can also cause problems to breeding Falco eleonorae, especially when human presence extends to their nesting habitat, since the breeding season of the species coincides with the peak of the tourist season.

References / useful links:

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GR196 - Koufonisi island, Crete

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