Site: Messolonghi lagoons

Designation date: 21-08-1975

Coordinates: 38°20'N 021°15'E

Elevation: 0 m - 450 m

Area: 33,687 ha

Location: The wetland is situated in western Greece at the western part of Sterea Ellas, Aitoloakarnania. The town of Messolonghi is adjacent to the wetland.

Criteria: 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6 ,7 ,8

Importance: The site has a central position in the line of coastal wetlands of western Greece which support waterbird migration along the western Balkan Peninsula. Messolonghi wetlands play a role in an east-west migration along the Gulf of Korinthiakos and the Aegean Sea. The mammals Lutra lutra, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. nathusii, Monachus monachus and Delphinus delphis; and the reptiles, Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas occur and are listed in the Greek Red Data Book. Seventy-one wintering and breeding bird species are protected under EU legislation, 173 migratory species breed, winter or stage in the area (61 of these are protected under EU legislation). The site is especially important for Egretta garzetta, Casmerodius albus, Plegadis falcinellus, Himantopus himantopus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Glareola pratincola, Gelochelidon nilotica, Sterna albifrons, Sterna hirundo, Calandrella brachydactyla and Charadrius alexandrinus. The rare Greek endemic plants, Centaurea niederi (listed in the Bern Convention), Teucrium halacsyanum and Ophrys argolica occur. In addition, endangered Salvinia natans, a plant with interesting geographical distribution, has been found in the site. The species Scabiosa tenuis, Malcolmia graeca bicolor, Fritillaria thessala reiseri and Stachys spinulosa are Balkan endemics found at the site. The fish Scardinius acarnanicus is an endemic to western central Greece. The Messolonghi wetlands hold important numbers of wintering Podiceps nigricollis (501 - 1,000), P. cristatus (501 - 1,000), Pelecanus crispus (10 - 30), Anas penelope (6,000), A. crecca (7,000), A. platyrhynchos (>1,000), A. acuta (1,000), Aythya ferina (2,500), Fulica atra (20,000), Calidris alpina (>1,600), Larus genei (>1,000). Waders reaching 10 - 15,000 birds (among them Pluvialis apricaria) winter here.

Wetland Types: Sp ,B ,D ,E ,F ,G ,H ,J ,A ,M ,9 ,Ss ,Ts ,Xf ,1 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,K (dominant types shown in bold)

The site includes an extensive coastal zone with a wetland complex consisting of a double delta formed by the Acheloos and Evinos Rivers, extensive lagoons and saltmarshes, restricted freshwater marshes, relicts of a riparian forest, coastal spits with dune formations, and scattered rocky hills in and around the area.

Biological/Ecological notes: Despite land reclamation carried out in the 1970s and early 1980s, extensive areas of saltmarshes, sand banks and mudflats still exist. An important part of this site is the pure Fraxinus forest (65 ha), remnant of older alluvial forest, composed of large trees of Fraxinus excelsior, F. ornus, F. oxycarpa (the only one in Greece). Relicts from such a riparian forest occur also at the eastern banks of the Evinos River. These areas have high avian and ecological value. In the western part of Messolonghi lagoon there are extensive saltmarshes with Salicornia, Arthrocnemum, Halocnemum, which provide one of the most important wader feeding grounds. In agricultural fields close to the saltmarshes halophilous grass vegetation serves as a substitute habitat for bird species such as Burhinus oedicnemus, and Glareola pratincola. Also at the end of spring, a part of the arable land is transformed into rice fields which are visited by herons and terns. The extensive saltworks serve as a resting and feeding place for waders and terns. The dunes are of great ecological importance, exhibiting interesting vegetation of hard-leaved bushes including Juniperus phoenicea and Pistacia lentiscus accompanied by Nerium oleander. Closer to the sea, characteristic vegetation is formed by Agropyrum, Ammophila, and Cakile. Reedbeds of Phragmites australis, P. communis, and Typha latifolia are restricted in extent but are used by many herons, waders and terns for feeding. The lagoons are characterised by rich submerged vegetation (Zostera, Ruppia, etc.)

Hydrological/Physical notes: The Messolonghi lagoon (11,200 ha) predominates in the centre of the wetland complex. There are also a number of smaller lagoons: the Aitoliko Lagoon (1,400 ha) to the north, the Klissova Lagoon (3,000 ha) to the east, and the lagoons of Gourounopoules and Tholi (800 ha) to the west. The catchment (the downstream part of the Acheloos River) has a total area of 5,470 sq km. The average annual discharge of the Acheloos River depends on the hydropower station located upstream, but ranges between 500 - 900 cubic m/sec. The average annual discharge of the Evinos River is 30 cubic m/sec from a catchment area of 1,130 sq km. Messolonghi Lagoon is separated from the open sea (Gulf of Patraikos) by a sandbar. Aitoliko Lagoon is connected with Messolonghi Lagoon by two small channels. Klissova Lagoon was converted into salinas in the late 1960s but in the 1970s it was converted into fishponds due to freshwater intrusion problems. Now some of the upper basins are used as primary evaporation basins for the main saltworks near the town of Messolonghi. Gourounopoules Lagoon is separated from the sea by a sandbar but connected with the Gulf of Patraikos by two short channels made for fishery purposes. The salinity of Messolonghi Lagoon close to the sea approaches seawater (30 - 36 ppt) but decreases inland to 10 - 25 ppt. Aitoliko Lagoon is brackish (10 - 15 ppt) and Gourounopoules Lagoon is highly saline (40 - 50 ppt). Messolonghi is a shallow lagoon with a maximum depth of 1.5 m whereas the maximum depth of Aitoliko Lagoon is 30 m. Klissova and Gourounopoules Lagoons are very shallow (<0.5 m). The climate is temperate with an average annual precipitation of 786 mm. The hottest months are July and August (average temperature of 27°C) and the coldest month is January (average temperature of 10°C).

Human Uses: The Messolonghi wetland is one of the most productive fishing grounds in Greece. Income from fishing is very high. At least 1,000 families earn their living directly or semi-directly from fishing (fisherman, boat-makers, fish marketing, fish restaurants etc.) Saltworks occupy a surface of 12,400 ha. Other current land uses are crop cultivation in drained land (weed, maize, cotton) and grazing (1,300 cattle, 20,000 sheep and goats).

Conservation Measures: A Preliminary Management Scheme has been operating since 1997 on the site. A set of management measures and delimitation of use zones (with appropriate permitted and prohibited uses) were established in 1993 and have been in force since January 1996. The Ramsar Management Guidance Procedure has been applied to the site. This site was included in the Montreux Record of priority sites for conservation action in 1990. Following a meeting between the Greek government and the Ramsar Bureau in March 1998, an Expert Group was convened to review the conservation status of all Ramsar Sites and make recommendations on the possible removal of sites from the Montreux Record. The report of the Expert Group was received in March 1999 and formed the basis of Resolution VII.12.1. As the result of the aforementioned report this site remains listed on the Montreux Record.

Adverse Factors: Within the site, various construction works (port of Messolonghi, creation of salt pans in 1970) led to changes in the hydrology and geomorphology of the area, with a negative impact on fish populations. However, the salt pans have proved to be an excellent feeding ground for birds. Solid waste disposal by the Municipality of Messolonghi is causing problems in Klissova Lagoon. A planned landfill site will hopefully solve this problem. Strict regulations have been introduced to combat damaging intensive fishing techniques. Sand removal from parts of the Evinos River has also been regulated. A number of proposed projects concerning agricultural improvements, intensive fisheries management and housing have been rejected to protect the site.

Site Management: No single body legally responsible for the direct local conservation of the wetland exists. The Preliminary management Scheme is guided by a Joint Committee presided by a representative of the Ministry of Environment. Secretarial assistance is provided by Information Centre of Messolonghi, Aetoliko, Gr. Liakata 1 Square, GR-304 00 Aetoliko, GREECE. Tel: +30-632-22530, 22233, Fax: +30-632-22530.

External Link:

Based on the 1998 Ramsar Information Sheet.