Porto Lagos, lake Vistonida and coastal lagoons (989)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Porto Lagos, limni Vistonida kai parakties limnothalasses
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.0167, Longitude: 25.0833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 99
Area of KBA (km2): 142.70706
Protected area coverage (%): 99.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A wetland complex of freshwater lakes and coastal lagoons, with reedbeds (Phragmites), wet meadows 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 raptors, and breeding species associated with reedbeds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Branta ruficollis (wintering), Haliaeetus albicilla (2-4 non-breeding individuals), Aquila clanga (5 wintering individuals), Aquila heliaca (wintering), Falco naumanni (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (70%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | water management (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 38 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 38 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is threatened by drainage in the eastern part of Vistonis, and water pollution from intensive agricultural, industrial and domestic sources. The wetland is also threatened by agricultural and urban expansion, excessive water abstraction and hunting. A land-use zonation system exists but has yet to be established legally. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.