The Prefecture of Lakonia Ecology
Lakonia can be roughly devided to four areas of ecological interest. In the following we have focussed on bird areas
Mt. Taygetos
Site Description
A mountainous area with Pinus and Abies forests, treeline ecotone habitat and maquis.
Habitats: Artificial landscapes (5%, Perennial crops, orchards and groves), Coastline/rocky areas (15%, Inland cliffs; Scree and boulders), Forest (55%, Native coniferous woodland; Treeline ecotone), Shrubland (30%, Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis)
Land use: forestry, other, tourism/recreation, water management
Birds
This is an important site for breeding raptors and species associated with open montane habitats. Breeding birds include seven of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome. Here follows a list of species observed in this area, regardless their numbers.
Alectoris graeca (Rock Partridge) resident
Hieraaetus fasciatus (Bonelli's Eagle) resident
Falco naumanni (Lesser Kestrel) breeding
Lanius senator (Woodchat Shrike) breeding
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (Red-billed Chough) resident
Pyrrhocorax graculus Yellow-billed Chough resident
Monticola solitarius Blue Rock-thrush resident
Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear breeding
Sitta neumayer Western Rock-nuthatch resident
Sylvia hortensis Orphean Warbler breeding
Sylvia rueppelli Rueppell's Warbler breeding
Sylvia melanocephala Sardinian Warbler resident
Sylvia cantillans Subalpine Warbler breeding 1
Emberiza caesia Cretzschmar's Bunting breeding
Conservation issues
The major threats are from forest fires and the subsequent erosion and overgrazing. Expansion of the road network and quarrying are additional threats. The introduction of Alectoris chukar is a potential threat to the Alectoris graeca population. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.
East Lakonian Mountains
Site Description
An area of mountains, sea cliffs and gorges. Phrygana, maquis and sclerophyllous scrub dominate, with areas of Abies forest. The main human activities are livestock-farming and hunting.
Habitats: Artificial landscapes (5%, Perennial crops, orchards and groves), Coastline/rocky areas (10%, Inland cliffs; Sea cliffs and rocky shores), Forest (8%, Native coniferous woodland), Sea/marine area (5%, Sea inlets and coastal features), Shrubland (80%, Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis)
Land use: agriculture (80%), fisheries/aquaculture (5%), forestry (8%), not utilised (5%)
Birds
The site is an important corridor for migratory passerines and breeding and migrant raptors.
Circaetus gallicus (Short-toed Snake-eagle) breeding
Hieraaetus fasciatus (Bonelli's Eagle) resident
Lanius senator (Woodchat Shrike) breeding
Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock-thrush) resident
Oenanthe hispanica (Black-eared Wheatear) breeding
Sitta neumayer Western (Rock-nuthatch) resident
Hippolais olivetorum (Olive-tree Warbler) breeding
Sylvia hortensis (Orphean Warbler) breeding
Sylvia rueppelli (Rueppell's Warbler) breeding
Emberiza caesia (Cretzschmar's Bunting) breeding
Conservation issues
The main threats are land abandonment and hunting. Part of the area is a candidate SAC
Southern Mani, Mount Sanghias and Cape Tainaro
Site Description
A rocky, mountainous peninsula in the southern Peloponissos. The area is dominated by phrygana and oak Quercus forests.
Habitats: Artificial landscapes (10%, Arable land; Perennial crops, orchards and groves), Coastline/rocky areas (40%, Inland cliffs; Sea cliffs and rocky shores), Shrubland (40%, Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis)
Land use: agriculture (70%), tourism/recreation (30%)
Birds
This is an important site for passage raptors and passerines. Breeding birds include seven of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila heliaca (non-breeding).
Alectoris graeca (Rock Partridge) resident
Athene noctua (Little Owl) resident
Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock-thrush) resident
Oenanthe hispanica (Black-eared Wheatear) breeding
Sitta neumayer (Western Rock-nuthatch) resident
Sylvia rueppelli (Rueppell's Warbler) breeding
Sylvia melanocephala (Sardinian Warbler) resident
Sylvia cantillans (Subalpine Warbler) breeding
Emberiza caesia (Cretzschmar's Bunting) breeding
Conservation issues
Major threats are from hunting, land abandonment in the remoter areas, infilling of small wetlands for tourism, fires and forest grazing.
Evrotas delta
Site Description
A delta with dunes, saltmarshes, riverine vegetation, meadows and reedbeds ( Phragmites ).
Habitats: Artificial landscapes (Arable land; Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves), Coastline/rocky areas (Sea cliffs and rocky shores), Grassland (Dry siliceous grassland), Sea/marine area (Sea inlets and coastal features), Shrubland (Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis), Wetland (Coastal lagoons; Fens, transition mires and springs; Mud flats and sand flats; Rivers and streams; Salt marshes; Sand dunes and beaches; Tidal rivers and enclosed tidal waters; Water fringe vegetation)
Land use: agriculture (50%), fisheries/aquaculture (5%), nature conservation and research (10%), tourism/recreation (10%), urban/industrial/transport (5%), water management (50%)
Birds
The area is important for passage waterbirds and passerines, and for breeding and passage raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga (wintering), Aquila heliaca (wintering), Falco naumanni (minimum 3 breeding pairs).
Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ivis)
Conservation issues
The major threats are the expansion of agriculture into wetland areas and tourism-related development. The area is a candidate SAC. |
