Coastal Lagoons

The lagoons in the city of Lefkada (Aulemonas and Palionis) and the salt marshes of Lefkada constitute a Natura 2000 area with code GR2240001. It is one of the most important wetlands of the Ionian Islands and is important for the economy of the region due to its geographical location. The variety of habitats, together with the presence of rich flora and sand dunes, salt marshes and the endemic plant Arenaria leucadia, are elements that reinforce the importance of the area. At the same time, the existence of wetlands allows a large number of waterfowl to live there. This particular area is also protected by the Ramsar Convention, as part of the Amvrakiko Gulf, as well as by Directive 79/409/EEC, the Barcelona Convention and Greek legislation.

The types of habitats of Directive 92/43/EEC found in the area in question are 1150 (904.67 ha), 1240 (1.28 ha), 1310 (72.21 ha), 1410 (57.42 ha), 1420 (59.63 ha), 2110 (52.88 ha), 6420 (0.74 ha), 9320 (30.76 ha). Out of a total of 8 habitat types present in the protected area in question, the one that prevails spatially (>70 % of total area) is habitat type 1150: Coastal Lagoons. The role of wetland systems, such as coastal lagoons, is particularly important and multi-dimensional with functions that are particularly popular for humans (anti-flooding, anti-corrosion, climate and water quality regulation, hydrological and irrigation, fishing, scientific, educational, cultural, etc. ) playing a very valuable and at the same time sensitive role in the conservation of biodiversity.

THREATS:
Like any ecosystem, wetlands are subject to a number of threats to their conservation, the majority of which are human-made:
• The draining of wetlands in order to convert them into agricultural or residential land.
• The destruction of the natural vegetation in a wetland, especially the riparian zone, by land clearing or fires, has a direct impact on the amount of water and transported materials that end up there.
• The change in the hydrological balance following the continuous construction of drainage and land improvement projects.
• Overgrazing of animals, overfishing and uncontrolled and illegal hunting.

TARGET GROUPS:
Citizens who are active in the lagoon area (fishermen, farmers) and residents of Lefkada who live near them. The fishermen who exploit the lagoon areas play an important role, since the conservation status of the ecosystem is directly linked to the viability of their profession.