Lake Ismarida (Mitrikou) (988)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Limni Ismarida (Mitrikou)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.9667, Longitude: 25.2833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 54
Area of KBA (km2): 67.3706
Protected area coverage (%): 99.52
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A coastal wetland complex. It consists of the freshwater Lake Mitrikou, surrounded by extensive reedbeds (Phragmites), coastal lagoons and saltmarsh.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The area is important for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds, and breeding species associated with reedbeds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Branta ruficollis (0-3 wintering individuals), Oxyura leucocephala (wintering), Haliaeetus albicilla (wintering), Aquila heliaca (passage), Falco naumanni (passage), Larus audouinii. The site holds 20,000 waterbirds in winter, on a regular basis (including Tadorna tadorna 2,500; Anas penelope 6,000; Anas crecca 3,500; Anas platyrhynchos 10,000; Recurvirostra avosetta 2,500; Larus ridibundus 3,000).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (85%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | water management (85%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 30 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 30 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Chemical and sewerage pollution, water abstraction, hunting, the expansion of agricultural land and infrastructure developments are the main threats. The area is a candidate SAC.