Geographical Areas

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GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS

NAME OF THE LOCAL AREA
Kerkini Lake (EPAL Axioupolis)

COUNTRY
Greece

THEMATIC AREA
Geography, Biology, Geology

DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCAL AREA
Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir that was created in 1932, and then redeveloped in 1980, on the site of what was previously an extremely extensive marshland. It is located 80 km from Thessaloniki and 35 km from Serres.
Lake Kerkini is now one of, if not the, premier birding site in Greece, and, as it is situated along the migratory flyway for migratory birds en route to the Aegean Sea, the Balkan region, the Black Sea, the Hungarian steppes and beyond it experiences an interesting migration.
In the flat and semi-mountainous area, important hydrobiospheres are developing which are of great international significance and acceptance. The most essential hydrobiosphere is the one in Kerkini lake. It is a miracle of nature which came about by man's technical intervention on the natural characteristics of Strymon river. The water extent, which varies from time to time from 54 Km2 to 72 Km2, works out to be useful in two ways: as a technical work of great agricultural utility and as a hydrobiosphere for thousands of water fowls.
This wonderful biosphere is recouped by the International Convention of Ramsar and presents numerous admirable elements. Thousands of birds, both rare and protected, riverside forests, water-lilies in a large area, fish variety and fantastic panoramic view from the mountains of Belasica and Krousia give it a characteristic tone. Actually the lake hosts 227 kinds of birds, especially non-migrants. 76 of them are recorded in the National Red Catalogue, while at least 31 of them are protected by EEC's Directive concerning wild life. What makes an exceptional presence is the buffalo's herd in the area, plus the one of the jackelo in the area of Kerkini lake. In the surrounding area of Kerkini lake there are at least 10 amphibian species (frogs, salamanders, tritons), five snail species, 19 reptile species (lizards, snakes, turtles) and a great variety of insects which play an important part in the food chain and contribute towards the biological resources of the lake.

PICTURES


	Observing nature!!!	The National Park of Lake Kerkini offers an amazing opportunity for bird watching. It is found in northern Greece and Lake Kerkini, a true national diamond, still unknown to the rest of the world, lies at the centre of the park.
	Observing nature!!!	Lake Kerkini with the amazing and valuable biodiversity is the most wonderful and easily accessible area for avifauna watching in Greece and arguably in entire Europe.
	Observing nature!!!	12 different bird species nest in just one colony and it is the first area where, after 150 years, the breeding range of the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) has expanded because of the artificial platforms created by the Management Body.
	Observing nature!!!	The National Park of Lake Kerkini offers an amazing opportunity for bird watching. It is found in northern Greece and Lake Kerkini, a true national diamond, still unknown to the rest of the world, lies at the centre of the park.
	Observing nature!!!	Lake Kerkini with the amazing and valuable biodiversity is the most wonderful and easily accessible area for avifauna watching in Greece and arguably in entire Europe.
	Observing nature!!!	12 different bird species nest in just one colony and it is the first area where, after 150 years, the breeding range of the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) has expanded because of the artificial platforms created by the Management Body.

DRAWINGS


	Living together, fishing together	In the area of the Kerkini Lake National Park over 300 bird species have been observed. Of these ten (10) different bird species nest in mixed colonies in the riparian forest. Two of the most prominent species living in mixed colonies are Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), shown in the drawing below.
	Living together, fishing together	It has been observed that Cormorants and Herons cooperate in fishing. More precisely, while Cormorants dive in the depth of the lake to catch fishes, they drive a part of them to the shallow waters, where Herons are hunting.
	Living together, fishing together	Therefore, not only they live together in mixed colonies, but they also cooperate in fishing together! In the upper right corner of the drawing is depicted a small flock of three cormorants spreading their wings, ready to dive in the lake. In the other side of the drawing a Grey Heron is waiting in the shallow waters of the wetland for the fishes trying to escape the cormorants.

VIDEO


Learning from nature! The Environmental Education Center Poroia built at the foothills of the Kerkini aims to raise awareness of young people in environmental issues. Our visit to this gave us the opportunity to admire from near a place of unique ecological value and develop a responsible attitude towards the environment. Specifically through various activities such experiment in which we checked the quality of the lake water by measuring the pH of the water and the content of nitrates, we were concerned to protect the ecological balance and the quality of our lives.

Learning from nature!

The Environmental Education Center Poroia built at the foothills of the Kerkini aims to raise awareness of young people in environmental issues. Our visit to this gave us the opportunity to admire from near a place of unique ecological value and develop a responsible attitude towards the environment. Specifically through various activities such experiment in which we checked the quality of the lake water by measuring the pH of the water and the content of nitrates, we were concerned to protect the ecological balance and the quality of our lives.