Gera gulf, Ntipi and Charamida marshes, Lesvos (1134)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Kolpos Geras, eli Ntipi kai Charamida Lesvou
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0833, Longitude: 26.4167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 56.59972
Protected area coverage (%): 97.72
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow gulf which includes a river delta, coastal lagoons, freshwater marshes, rivers, streams, wet meadows, and reedbeds (Phragmites). Human activities include fishing, agriculture, water management, tourism, quarrying, and hunting.
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: The site is important for passage migrants and as a foraging area for raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (up to 10 wintering individuals).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (40%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | not utilised (30%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%) | water management (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 30 | |
| Marine Neritic | 35 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is seriously threatened. There is intense pressure from housing, tourist and industrial developments. Wetland areas are subject to infilling and rubbish dumping. Water quality is declining as a result of agricultural intensification and sewerage, and salinity is increasing as a result of groundwater abstraction. Quarrying produces large amounts of solid waste. The fishery is being over-exploited. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.