Lake Dystos (1050)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Limni Dystos
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.3500, Longitude: 24.1333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 16 to 590
Area of KBA (km2): 26.1826
Protected area coverage (%): 99.48
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An eutrophic freshwater lake largely covered by reed Phragmites. In recent years the lake has been almost completely drained.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important area for breeding herons. Breeding birds include nine of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (80%) | water management (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is continued abstraction of water for industry and agriculture that threatens the lake with complete drainage. Another serious threat is the planned construction of two wind-farms in the hills surrounding the site.