The Wetland of Strophylia and Kotychi
The Wetland of Strophylia and Kotychi
Written by Friday, 29 January 2010 00:00
| Article Index |
|---|
| The Wetland of Strophylia and Kotychi |
| Page 2: Introducing the Strophylia - Kotychi Wetland |
| Page 3: Birds of the Area |
| Page 4: Threats and Suggested Behaviour |
| All Pages |
A wetland is a natural or artificially created area which is permanently or seasonally flooded by water that is stagnant or running. The water can be freshwater, saltwater or brackish. A marine area with a depth of no more than six meters is also considered a wetland if it is a significant ecosystem, i.e. it exhibits considerable biodiversity. (1)
A variety of coastal or inland areas are classified as natural wetlands. Deltas and estuaries formed by rivers, marshes and swamps, bogs, lagoons, shallow marine areas, rivers, lakes, wet meadows, reed beds, scrubs, lake- or riverside forests are just some of the areas that are natural wetlands. Artificial or semi-artificial wetlands have been created for a variety of reasons, e.g. to produce hydroelectric power, to store water supplies used for aquacultures etc.
Wetlands are very important because:
a) they contribute to the enrichment of the underground water systems,
b) they are a natural way to control flooding; a wetland stores the extra water and releases it gradually,
c) they act as carbon sinks, limiting CO2 emissions in the atmosphere,
d) due to the high heat capacity of the water they regulate the micro climate of a region by storing or releasing heat, as appropriate,
e) they are a rich source of aquatic and terrestrial game while they also provide food to farmed animals and
f) they offer opportunities to expand tourism, exercise and sport, education and research.
Wetlands are complex habitats which are characterised by high biodiversity and which are in interaction with each other and with the rest of the environment. Their significance and contribution to a healthy environment has been recognised internationally. Hence they are protected by national laws and international conventions, the most notable of which is the Ramsar convention. This was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. The Greek government ratified it in 1974; and it entered into force in Greece in 1975. Each country that ratifies the convention should define suitable wetlands within its territory, include these in the list of wetlands of international importance and take steps for the conservation of the wetlands and the protection of aquatic birds. The Ramsar convention has been signed by 147 countries; the list of wetlands of international importance currently includes about 1500 sites.
The Wetlands of Greece
Greece is a country rich in wetlands. The RAMSAR list includes only eleven of the Greek wetlands, namely: Strophylia - Kotychi, Amvrakikos gulf, Kerkini reservoir, the Delta of the rivers Axios, Loudias and Evros, the lagoons at Porto Lagos and Messologi, lake Koroneia and finally the Delta of the river Nestos and the surrounding lagoons.
