Long-term population trends reveal increasing importance of a Mediterranean wetland complex (Messolonghi lagoons, Greece) for wintering waterbirds

Liordos, Vasilios; Pergantis, F.; Perganti, Iris; Roussopoulos, Yannis

doi:10.1186/1810-522x-53-12

Cited by 15 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Most IBAs along the west coast of Greece are mainly located at higher latitudes. In the northern part, the most important wetlands exist in the form of large lagoon and delta complexes and they attract high numbers of wintering and staging birds during migration (Maragou and Mantziou, 2000;Liordos et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status and Distribution of Waterbirds in a Natura 2000 Area: The Case of Gialova Lagoon, Messinia, Greece

et al. 2020

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Located at the south-western most part of the Balkan peninsula, along an important migration route (the Mediterranean/Black Sea Flyway), the Gialova Lagoon wetland is one of the few remaining Important Bird Areas (IBAs) along the south-west coast of Greece, also designated as a Special Protection Area. The wetland serves as the first suitable stopover for many spring migrants who have flown non-stop over the Mediterranean Sea, and the last before their journey back to Africa in the autumn. In this study, we conducted monthly field visits during the period October 2016 to January 2019 with the aim to complement existing information about the site, to evaluate the current status and distribution of waterbirds, to provide insights for the management of the area and to re-assess the IBA/Ramsar criteria. A total of 149 bird species representing 43 families and 15 orders were recorded, including 36 threatened species at an International, European or/and national level, and 40 species listed in the Annex I of the EUs Birds Directive (21 species were listed as both threatened and under Annex I). 81 species were identified as wetland related species, of which 66 species were identified as waterbirds (7 orders, 11 families). Waterbirds richness and abundance were higher during the Wet season and corresponding periods (Wintering and Spring migration). All parts of the wetland supported waterbirds and threatened species, with the S. Wetland sub-area being the most diverse during the Breeding/Nesting, and both migration periods. The abundance of most waterbirds and IBA species have declined over the last 20 years, but this does not necessarily mean that the area no longer fulfills Ramsar criterion 6 (and equivalent IBA criterion A4i). However, this outcome should not be overlooked by the site managers and conservation actions, such as the restoration of fresh water inflows which could improve habitats and water conditions for IUCN and IBA species, should be implemented with high priority. In addition, our results indicate that the area meets Ramsar criterion 4 and criterion 2, and thus we suggest that it should be further investigated and evaluated to potentially become the eleventh Greek Ramsar site.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status and Distribution of Waterbirds in a Natura 2000 Area: The Case of Gialova Lagoon, Messinia, Greece

et al. 2020

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“…The wetlands of Asia are particularly affected by various human activities (Upadhyay and Saikia 2012, Ma et al 2014). The complex dynamics of waterbird community structures are influenced by many natural and anthropogenic factors (Ward et al 2010, Liordos et al 2014. Long-term studies in wetlands provide useful information for assessment of their importance in terms of conservation (Paracuellos and Telleria 2004) and for ascertaining possible causes of the decline in waterbird populations (Paton et al 2009, Mundava et al 2012.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Structure of Migratory Waterbirds at Two Important Wintering Sites in a Sub-Himalayan Forest Tract in West Bengal, India

Chatterjee¹,

Adhikari²,

Pal³

et al. 2020

The Ring

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The waterbird community structures of two sub-Himalayan wetlands (Nararthali and Rasomati) situated in forested areas were compared during the wintering period. These wetlands had similar geophysical features but were subject to different conservation efforts. Sixty species of waterbirds, including four globally threatened species, were recorded during the study. Nararthali was found to be more densely inhabited (116.05±22.69 ind./ha) by birds than Rasomati (76.55±26.47 ind./ha). Density increased by 44.6% at Nararthali and by 59% at Rasomati over the years of the study, from 2008 to 2015. Winter visitors increased considerably at Nararthali (66.2%), while a 71.1% decrease at Rasomati clearly indicated degradation of habitat quality at that site during the later years. Luxuriant growth of Eichhornia crassipes, siltation, poor maintenance and unregulated tourist activities were the key factors leading to the rapid degradation of Rasomati. Nararthali, on the other hand, a well-managed wetland habitat, showed an increasing trend in bird densities. Therefore, poor habitat management and rapid habitat alterations were observed to be the main reasons for depletion of bird density in the wetlands of eastern sub-Himalayan forest regions.

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“…The Mediterranean wetlands are important habitats for the foraging, resting and breeding of many birds (Liordos et al 2014). Almost one half of the world's natural wetlands disappeared in the course of the last century due to anthropogenic activities, whereas others were variously affected (Shine & Klemm 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The breeding birds of Palud, Istria

Taylor¹,

Hadžalić²,

Horvat³

et al. 2020

Larus

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During the spring of 2020, bird surveys were conducted in the ornithological reserve Palud. There were 35 breeding species registered. The most numerous species were the Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, the Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, the Common Blackbird Turdus merula, and the Eastern Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans. A vulnerable breeder of Croatia, the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, and a scarce breeder, the Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, were also recorded as breeding species.

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Long-term population trends reveal increasing importance of a Mediterranean wetland complex (Messolonghi lagoons, Greece) for wintering waterbirds

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to present the first detailed analysis of long-term population estimates and trends of waterbirds wintering at Messolonghi lagoons, one of the largest Greek wetlands, during 1982 to 2012, using TrendSpotter software.

Cited by 15 publications

References 18 publications

Status and Distribution of Waterbirds in a Natura 2000 Area: The Case of Gialova Lagoon, Messinia, Greece

Status and Distribution of Waterbirds in a Natura 2000 Area: The Case of Gialova Lagoon, Messinia, Greece

Community Structure of Migratory Waterbirds at Two Important Wintering Sites in a Sub-Himalayan Forest Tract in West Bengal, India

The breeding birds of Palud, Istria

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