ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI
SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY
EUROPEAN CLASS 2000
BIODIVERSITY REPORT ON
DASOS DADIAS- LEFKIMIS- SOUFLIOU
BOUSIAKI
ELENI
INTRODUCTION
Dadia is a quiet, secluded village of 200 families at the edge of the
extensive forest covering the southeastern foothills of the Rodopi
mountain range, which face the narrow plain of the Evros river stretching
to the sea. It lays north of Alexandroupoli, in the province of Evros in
Thrace ,the most northern eastern part of Greece.
Dadia reserve encompasses part of the aged, mature pine and oak
woods of the Dadia- Lefkimi- Soufli forest complex located at the 41005
20” North Latitude and 260 12 10” East of Athens longitude. The diverse
relief with the presence of a large number of small and big streams, the
rocky formations, the small and large forest gaps, the natural fences of
various forest species, and the farms of traditional cultivations, compile a
very interesting forest landscape(photo 1). The forest consists of pure and
mixed Quercus spp. as well as other broad- leaved species. The area lays
at the junction of the European and Asian fauna regions and along one of
the major flyways for migratory birds; it is a crossroad for migrating birds
as well as an ideal nesting place. There, in the old forests and rocky areas
on the hills and mountains, existed suitable nesting habitat in proximity to
favourable prey habitat in the forest openings, nearby lowlands and the
delta of river Evros, along with an abundance of prey species, particularly
during migration.
The rocks of the area are mainly volcanic, metamorphic and basic
siliceous. Countless steams and brooks crisscross the whole area, many of
them flowing throughout the year. The climate in the boarder area is
submediterrenean with either slight or strong continental influence,
depending on exposure to the prevailing north winds. Around Dadia the
continental character is strong with very cold winters and sporadically, a
lot of snow, and dry hot summers lasting from mid- June to midSeptember. The annual mean temperature is 27,30 C and the annual mean
precipitation is 700mm. The strong continental influence on the climate
has an extremely significant effect on wildlife since it creates favourable
conditions for animal and plant species that in other Mediterranean
locales are either absent or present at much higher elevations.
The total population of the Evros province remained both small
and clustered in the villages and towns even into the 1970s, mainly due to
the Minor Asia’s war and the Civil war. Until then the land use had
remained mild and limited over a long time, so human influence on
nature had not caused the exhaustion of the landscape we commonly see
in the countries around the Mediterranean. On the contrary; it had
enhanced the already large diversity of biotopes existing there. The small
and clustered population in combination with inaccessibility, military
control of the area and low exploitation of natural resources allowed the
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evolution of a complex ecosystem, unique in the whole of Europe, which
supported an exceptional number of breeding raptor species, many of
them now endangered, with a spectacular nesting reaching 160 pairs of 21
species within 180 km2, mainly in the Dadia- Lefkimi- Soufli forest
complex.
After 1974 the impact of accelerated development under the ‘Evros
Development Project’ was strongly felt in the forest area of Dadia.
Reforestation projects were initiated, opening up the aged woods for
commercial exploitation; this exploitation was too rapid and led to the
loss of most mature trees with resultant changes in form and structure of
the woodlands. Oak woods on poor soil were cut down and replaced by
pine monocultures destroying invaluable nesting habitat in the process.
Simultaneously, destruction of prey habitat in the lowlands and the delta
through scale enlargement of agriculture, severely endangered several
species. A report by B. Hallman, compiled in 1979 for the National
Council for Physical Planning and the Environment of the Ministry of
Coordination, with support from IUCN/WWF prompted the Greek
government into action and in 1980 a nature reserve was created in the
Dadia area by joint ministerial decision.
The reserve consists of two core areas (two nuclei) under strict
protection . The small nucleus has a size of 922ha and the larger one is
6368 ha. There almost all human activities are prohibited except for
traditional land uses. The two nuclei are surrounded by 39000ha of buffer
zone(map 1) .The aim of the creation of the nature reserve in Dadia was
the conservation of the factors which can reassure the survival and
development of the raptor bird populations and especially the ones that
belong to the Black Vulture (Aegypius Monachus )(photo 2).
In 1985 Helmer and Scholte reported the findings of their study on
the herpetofauna of the Dadia reserve, stating that species occurrence and
population densities are unique in Europe. They called for enlargement
and better management of the protected area as well as inclusion in a
European network of biogenetic reserves.
In 1987, with financial assistance from the European Community,
the Greek government undertook several management projects, beginning
with the recruitment of two wardens, the blocking of some forest roads
and signposting of trails to be used by visitors.
Since lack of carrion was accepted as an important factor
responsible for the decline of vulture populations, a suitable site was
selected and fenced in to serve as a secure feeding area. The wardens
deliver carcasses and offal thus ensuring a regular food supply for the
birds which has significantly contributed to the remarkable increase in
their numbers.
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In terms of the project ‘NATURA 2000’ , according to the
directive 92/43/EEC for the inventory, identification, evaluation, and
mapping of the habitat types and fauna and flora species in Greece, Dadia
forest is established as a Special Protection Area (SPA) entirely within
eligible Site of Community Importance (SCI) . The total forest complex
of Dadia– Lefkimi-Soufli is described in the NATURA 2000 Standard
Data Forms as an independent site under the name : ‘Vouna Evrou’ . It is
suggested in it that in this peripheral zone, certain human activities should
be prohibited or restricted in time and space.
The three key factors that shaped the character of the forest.
There are three key factors that shaped the character of the Dadia –
Lefkimi –Soufli forest complex: Fire, grazing and woodcutting.
Natural fires and fires started by local inhabitants to create more
grazing lands seem to have had limited and localized effects on woodland
structure due to the presence of many natural barriers such as rocky, bare
places, ravines, streams etc. that prevented fires from spreading and the
high fire resistance of old Pinus brutia. Wildfires also tend to be creeping,
consuming the ground vegetation and scrubs but not hurting the mature
pines. Even though there have been no major fires during the last several
years, the Forestry Service maintains alert at several lookout points
throughout the summer, the high risk season.
Small scale woodcutting of firewood is still carried out by the
villagers, mostly from oak brushwood and fallen trees. Since 1978,
commercial logging is guided by the Forestry Service that favours pines
over oaks, considering them more productive. Nevertheless, in the rest of
the prefecture but also in many places within the buffer zone oakwoods
have been literally razed for reforestation and pine groves have been
planted there instead.
Grazing results in thinning out of the forest as well, since herds
consume the shrub layer, including young oaks and pine saplings, but do
not touch the old trees. Shepherds as a matter of convenience visit open
places; so grazing helps maintain the open forest structure and the forest’s
gaps.
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FLORA
Vegetation distribution presents a great variety, much like the
landscape , and to a great extend has been shaped by traditional human
intervention.
Overall forest coverage within the area is high, no less than 70%,
mostly by mixed pine-oak woods and to a lesser degree, deciduous
woods. Dominant species are Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia ) and Turkish
Oak (Quercus cerris ) . Black pine (Pinus nigra ), Downy oak (Quercus
pudescens ) and Quercus macrolepis are also present in varying numbers.
These species form cultivations and natural fences in the two nuclei and
the peripheral zone (buffer zone ), which are some kind of corridors.
Through them, the animals of the area move from one biotope of the
forest to the other. Moreover, some of these species are endemic or are
being used as nesting places by the birds. This is the reason why the
Directive 92/43/EEC considers these plant species to need protection.
The riparian vegetation consists mainly of the following
species:Alders (Alnus glutinosa ), white willows (Salix alba ), Common
ash (Fraxinus excelcior ) and Poplar (Populus spp.)(photo 3).
Moreover, pastures are of great importance in Dadia forest,
although they cover only a small part of land. Pastures are good habitats
for reptiles and small mammals and therefore feeding places for the
raptor birds. It is obvious that ‘gaps’ in the forest of Dadia are of crucial
importance as far as it concerns the survival of the raptor birds.
Dadia forest is characterized by 13 important plant taxa . One of
them is endemic, 6 of them are protected by the European Community
Environment Legislation and 6 taxa are protected by the Greek
government’s Law (67/1981) .
.
FAUNA
BIRDS
Protection of raptors, as previously mentioned, has been the driving force
behind conservation efforts in the region.
Indeed of the 38 species of diurnal raptors occurring in Europe, 23
species nest in the area. Another 13 species regularly or occasionally
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overwinter there. As a result 36 out of 38 species are present in Dadia
forest.
The characteristic of Dadia is that it puts up 7 endangered species
of raptors:
 Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus )(photo 2).
 Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus )(photo 4).
 Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus )(photo 5).
 Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus )
 White-tailed Eagle (Heliaetus albiccila)(photo 6).
 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)(photo 7).
 Booted Eagle (Hieraetus pennatus)
In the same area, 3 out of 4 european vulture species meet, while the
fourth overwinters there.
The forest of Dadia harbors the last population of Black
Vulture(photo 2) in Greece except for 1-2 individuals on Mount
Olympus and, possibly, one or two more in Western Greece. The birds
of Dadia comprise the only breeding colony in SE Europe and,
together with the much larger Spanish population, the last remnants of
this magnificent species in Europe.
In 1979 their numbers stood at approximately 26 individuals with
four or five breeding pairs and their future looked bleak. Reduced
livestock numbers meaning less carrion, destruction of nesting habitat
through forest exploitation and human disturbance threatened the very
survival of the species. After the establishment of the feeding area
with an adequate food supply that prevented dispersal of young birds
and with increasing protection of the nesting locations, the population
has rebounded and now stands at over 70 individuals with at least 15
breeding pairs.
Lack of food and human pressure had also driven the Griffon
Vulture(photo 4) from the area with no breeding evident for some
years. In 1989, 3 pairs bred successfully in a traditional nesting cliff
and now the number of breeding pairs has risen to 10-12.
Egyptian Vultures(photo 5) return every year in late March or
April to breed in the forest, with approximately 15 breeding pairs in
the vicinity of Dadia. However their numbers observed at the feeding
area have declined in recent years. Since there is no shortage of food
or nesting disturbances their apparent decline may indicate wider
dispersal throughout the region.
The Bearded Vulture has been infrequently observed over various
locations of the area indicating an astonishing fidelity to its breeding
site.
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Of the last 3 or 4 breeding pairs of White-tailed Eagles(photo 6)
surviving in Greece, one occupies a tree nest in the forest of
Dadia.Juvenile individuals appear during winter and often visit the
feeding area.
One of the remaining pairs of Imperial Eagles(Aquila heliaca) in
Greece used to breed in the rolling, forested hills over the village of
Lira. The adults deserted the nest in 1991 and unfortunately, there has
been no evidence of a new nesting site since. Young Imperial Eagles
also gather here during winter and occasionally visit the feeding area.
Four or five pairs of Golden Eagles(photo 7) occupy nesting
territories in the reserve;their population is stable at carrying capacity
as determined by territoriality and prey availability. Since tortoises are
their main prey species, such high nesting density suggests the
presence of large and healthy tortoise populations as well. Golden
Eagles are often seen picking up tortoises and dropping them on rocks
to break them, mostly during spring and summer when they are
feeding their young.
Carrying capacity populations occur in the reserve for other
species, namely Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) with
approximately 20 pairs, Booted Eagle with 8-10 pairs and Short- toed
Eagles (Circaetus gallicus)(photo 8) with13-16 pairs.such dynamic
breeding populations indicate an abundance of favourable nesting
locations and, most important, an abundance of prey, which, for all
three species, consists mainly of reptiles. Greece also supports almost
half the European population of Long-legged Buzzards (Buteo
rufinus) with over 60 pairs. Approximately 12 pairs nest in the
foothills and lowlands around the reserve.
Other nesting species of considerable national importance are
Lanner(Falco biarmicus ) and Peregrine(Falco peregrinus ).Eagle
Owls(Bubo bubo )nest mainly on rocky hillsides with approximately 5
pairs within the reserve and probably several others in the general
area. Scops Owls (Otus scops), Little Owls (Athene noctua)(photo 9)
nest throughout and around the reserve with healthy populations.
For several of the above species Dadia is their last stronghold in
Greece, for some even in the whole of Europe.
In addition to large birds if prey other species of considerable
national importance are to be found there. Apart from raptors, the area
puts up 7 species that are mentioned in Annex I of European
Community Directive 79/409 and also 7 more species that are
considered to be ‘vulnerable’, according to the Red Data Book of
birds. Such examples are the Black Storks (Ciconia nigra) and the
Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus)
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Black Storks have a limited range in Greece with a population of
50-80 pairs, the bulk of which occurs in Macedonia and Thrace.
Approximately 12 pairs nest within and around the reserve with
several more in the broader Evros region. They are, unlike their white
cousins, shy birds, building their nests deep in the forest, usually on
steep slopes of small ravines overlooking streams. Family groups of
Black Storks feeding together in shallow pools are a common sight
during the summer along the streams that are not dry.
The Masked Shrike is an uncommon migrant breeder in Greece,
mostly in Thrace that nests in suitable locations within the reserve and
throughout the surrounding area.
Numerous other resident and migrant breeders and wintering
species, although common in Greece, possess a significant interest for
visiting birdwatchers, especially those from Eastern Europe(photo10).
Reptiles and Amphibians
Out of 28 species of Reptiles and 11 species of Amphibians that have
been found, 8 species are mentioned in the Directive 92/43/EEC and
31 species are protected by international conventions.
The Evros province is, in all likelihood, Europe’s richest site in
reptiles and amphibians with an astounding total of 40 species residing
there. In extensive surveys of the region there have been recorded one
salamander, two species of lizards and twelve species of snakes, most
of them occurring in the open forest and scrub woodlands.
Fire-bellied Toads (Bombina bombina) and Meadow
Lizards(Lacerta praticola)do not occur anywhere else in Greece.
Yellow –bellied Toads (Bombina variegata), Stream Frogs (Rana
greaca) and Fire Salamanders (Salamandra salamandra)(photo11)
reach there the eastern limit of their distribution. The Ottoman
Viper(Viper xanthina)as well as the Worm Snake (Typhlops
vermicularis) have also been found in Dadia reserve.Population
densities for several species were found to be much higher than
anticipated, suggesting that reptiles and amphibians occupy a key
position in the ecosystem.
The striking yellow and black Fire Salamanders can be found
mostly along the slow brooks in the higher mountains. Their intense
coloration and poisonous secretion from cutaneous glands serve to
protect them from enemies. Another important species is Triturus
vulgaris(photo 12) .The Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina)(photo 13) is
quite common throughout the area while the Stream Frog (Rana
greaca) is restricted to the high elevations and always in the vicinity of
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swiftly flowing streams. The Tree-frog (Hyla arborea)(photo 14) is
usually recorded in the area as well as the frog Bufo bufo.
Tortoises(photo 15) are the most familiar and probably most
endangered reptiles. Severe reduction of their numbers in the wild has
been noted around the Mediterranean, especially in recent years, as a
result of habitat destruction but mainly because of capture for pet
trade, occasionally even as a culinary delicacy.
The two most common species in the Dadia area,Spur-thighed
Tortoise(Testudo graeca) and Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
are very similar in appearance .
Hermann’s tortoises are common in lowlands and small scale
cultivated land while almost absent from thickly wooded areas and
high elevations. Population densities have been found exceptionally
high for Mediterranean locations . On the contrary Spur-thighed
Tortoises occur in the hills and mountains but they also avoid dense
woodlands, their favourite habitat being open Pine forest.other tortoise
species are Emys orbicularis and Mayremys caspica.
Easy to catch, tortoises are favourite prey for some predators,
mammalian as well as avian. Their eggs provide Foxes, Beech,
Martens and Badgers with nutritious food supply at an ideal for the
upbringing of their young. Adult tortoises are the main staple for
Golden Eagles comprising up to 90% of their diet during the summer.
Imperial Eagles and Black Vultures will on occasion feed on tortoises
and so do Egyptian Vultures, the latter preferring young individuals so
they can pull the meat out of the softer shell with their slender but not
very strong beaks.
Both species, but mostly Testudo hermanni, are threatened by
habitat loss and forest densification that increases the risk of nest
predation. The illegal pet trade is also a great potential risk for the
area, after the reduction of wild populations in N.Africa, Turkey and
former Yugoslavia.
The two species of vipers are the only snakes potentially dangerous
to human beings in the area. The Nose-horned Viper (Vipera
ammodytes) is the most common snake in the higher ground to the
North and West of Dadia, occurring in open scrubland or rocky,
grassy meadows. It is, however, absent from the hotter lowlands to the
South where it is replaced by the uncommon and local Ottoman Viper
(Viper xanthina). Other species of snakes are Natrix natrix and
Coluber najadum.
The presence of such varied and plentiful herpetofauna is in some
cases directly responsible for the presence of large and healthy
predator populations,undeniably pointing out the key position held by
reptiles and amphibians in the structure of the ecosystem.
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Mammals
As one would expect from the spectacular variety of avifauna and
herpetofauna, this amazingly rich region supports numerous mammal
species, several of them threatened or disappearing over most of
Greece. Large carnivores and game mammals are present, even here,
in low numbers, mainly due to human persecution and overhunting.
Out of 39 species of mammals that have been found, 5 are
mentioned in Directive 92/43/EEC, 9 species are in the National Red
Data Book for endangered vertebrates and 6 species are protected by
international conventions.
Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) rarely appear anymore, and when they
do it is mostly in the higher elevations.
It is doubtful if Lynx (Felis lynx) still exists, but testimony from
older villagers indicates that they knew the species.the Jackal (Canis
aureus) has vanished from the hills and forests due to habitat loss,
systematic hunting and poisoning.
Wolves (Canis lupus) occur over most of the mountainous area and
are thought not numerous.
The plentiful food remains, tracks and spraints along a large
number of the brooks and streams in the reserve in addition to
scattered sightings by local people suggest that Otters (Lutra lutra) are
probably common though hard to spot.
Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Beech Martens (Martes foina) are very
common; Badgers (Meles meles), Wild Cats (Felis sylvestris)(photo
16) and Weasels (Mustela nivalis) are also fairly common.
Brown Hares (Lepus capensis) are uncommon due to changes in
the habitat but mainly because of severe hunting pressure and
poaching during the night with lights, a technique made easier by the
never-ending construction of new roads. The same applies to Roe
Deer (Capreolus capreolus), still scarce despite the presence of ideal
habitat.
Wild Boars (Sus scrofa)(photo 17) are a major attraction for
hunters but their numbers are stable and, actually quite large in some
places.
Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris)(photo 18), Hedgedogs (Erinaceous
europaeus), Roman Moles (Talpa romana), Gunther’s Voles (Microtus
guentheri) are present in suitable habitat.
Susliks (Spermophillus citellus)(photo 19) occur locally in NE
Greece, in colonies of varying size, with two main areas of
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distribution, one in the boarder of Axios valley and the other in the
Evros valley. They prefer dry grasslands, pastures,
roadsides,embankments and the edges of arable land, they are
therefore absent from the forest reserve and the hills. Several small
colonies exist in the buffer zone at the edge of cultivated areas and
some larger ones in the lowlands near the Evros Delta.This indicates
they need for efficient management of the buffer zone.
Susliks are very important prey for Long-legged Buzzard, Imperial
Eagle, Common Buzzard, and less so for many other raptors.
Unfortunately their numbers have greatly decreased in recent years
mainly because of the scale enlargement of agriculture that has caused
extensive habitat loss.
Specific data on Bats(photo 20) are scarce; they are, however,
present, roosting in rock fissures, small caves, trees and several
abandoned mine shafts.in many places we have found large mounts of
droppings but small numbers of Bats; in other locations we
encountered large colonies.species recorded in the area include
Noctules (Nyctalus noctula), Pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus),
Nathusius’ Pipistrelles (Pipistrellus nathusii).
Fishes
Two species of fishes that have been found in Dadia’s streams belong
to the Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and one species is mentioned
in the Red Data Book for fishes.
Dangers-What needs to be done
Since the establishment of the Dadia reserve in 1980 conservation
efforts have met with spectacular success in the case of Black and
Griffon Vultures and the populations of several other raptors are now
stable or increasing. On the other hand some of the facts already
presented unmistakably point out that many species, most not avian,
are still declining, some even facing extinction from the region, unless
wider ranging protection measures can be implemented.
A variety of factors are still at work with detrimental effects, either
directly on specific species and their crucial habitat or indirectly
through changes in the balance of the whole ecosystem. The future of
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wildlife in the forest of Dadia and the broader Evros region is just now
beginning to become secure.
Having been initially planned with raptor conservation in mind, it
does include locations of paramount importance for other species,
mainly reptiles and amphibians. Moreover, the core area covers
principally the nesting sites of vultures and other birds of prey;
adequate habitat and suitable hunting grounds should also be
protected, for example the buffer zone.
It has already been planned that changes in agricultural practices at
the surrounding lands, timber extraction and reforestation in the buffer
zone will be carefully organized.
Elimination of the ancient pine and oak woods and replacement
with Pinus sp. commercial monocultures result in almost total
disappearance of herpetofauna, some small mammals and many plants
and herbs. Beyond the aesthetic changes in the landscape and soil
erosion, the creation of new roads for the machinery and crews
eventually increases accessibility of those locations and therefore
human intrusion and disturbance. Fortunately in the last few years the
Forestry service has begun to realize that reforestation along Northern
European models has not been successful or beneficial to the local
environment and hopefully there is a change towards other methods of
exploitation of the forest sources.
The declaration of Dadia forest as a Special Protection Area and
the prohibition of woodcutting in combination with the substantial
reduction or modernization of grazing, had several serious effects.
They led to a natural reforestation, increase of the forest coverage, but
in the same time to a reduction of the forest’s gaps which constitute
biotopes of nesting and hunting for the big raptors. The last two
decades brought along a dramatic decrease in the numbers of livestock
in the Dadia-Lefkimi area from 25000 goats and sheep and 3000 cows
in the early 1970’sdown to 5000 goats and sheep, 1000 cows and a
few hundred horses and mules today. Direct effects of this reduction
are less carrion for the scavengers. Densification in its turn leads to
reduction of total numbers and diversity of species of herpetofauna (in
a manner similar to reforestation), fewer open spaces to be used as
hunting grounds by raptors, possibly also congregation of nesting
tortoises to those fewer openings thus increasing the risk of nest
predation.
It is obvious that the strengthening of stock-breeding is of crucial
importance to the balance of the area. The state must provide the
people of the area with financial help in order to enhance stockbreeding.
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Hunting is another great problem. Though prohibited it is very hard
to control, especially in the buffer zone. Furthermore, many raptors
are shot every year as ‘trophies’,despite being protected by law,
mostly over their hunting territories outside the reserve and in the
Delta during migration. Increased vigilance by the proper authorities
may be necessary.
The use of poisoned baits for control of, so called,
‘harmful’animals such as foxes and wolves, although reduced, still
continues with potentially catastrophic results for many carrion eating
species.
Human indifference has been minimized within core zones but not
so in the surrounding area. Logging, usually accompanied by new
road construction, military manoeuvres and traffic, and the recent
influx of birdwatchers and ecotourists may become sources of
disturbance if not properly managed.
Recently the construction of huge firebreaks caused considerable
disturbance to the Black Vulture nesting area.
Yet another problem that is nowadays being solved is waste
disposal from several villages and many military camps. Such waste
usually ended up in small ravines, often polluting the streams as well.
Other serious potential threats are organized poaching of eggs or
young of nesting raptors and collection of tortoises for the
international pet trade.
In the Table below we can see the effects of human activities on
the area.
A=little influence B=quite a lot influence C=much
influence.
+ stands for positive influence
- stands for negative influence
Table
ACTIVITY
Livestock breeding
Communication
network
Fire of natural cause
GRADE OF
INFLUENCE
C
B
A
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POSITIVE OR
NEGATIVE
EFFECT
+
-
Catching of raptors
Hunting, poisoning
Ecotouristic activities
(not well organized)
Use of pesticides
Stock- breeding freelanced
Military activities
Quarries
Collecting of fauna
Collecting of flora
B
B
B
-
B
B
+
B
A
A
C
-
No other place in Europe supports so many threatened or endangered
species, yet management and control are just now falling in place.
Establishment of the reserve was carried out without a proper assessment
of local sediment. The anticipated loss of income resulted in very
negative attitudes among the locals and it was years before the people of
the surrounding villages could be modified and shown that other sources
of income could be created through conservation and the stimulation of
ecotourism.
This was overcome,however, by a thorough and sustained campaign of
education and motivation of the people. As with any protected area, the
ultimate success of conservation projects, regardless of how well
structured they are, depends to a great extend on the people that live
there. Only when they realize the importance of ‘their forest’; that there
are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ animals but only delicate parts of an exquisitely
balanced whole: that the disappearance of ‘a few mice’or ‘one of those
birds’ is a terrible, irreparable loss to us all; when they are
wholeheartedly willing to support conservation efforts, only then will
those efforts have a serious chance to succeed.
It is most encouraging that the young people, especially the
schoolchildren of Dadia and students in Soufli, understand the special
character of the area, that they are willing to assist in any way they can
and they have shown an active interest of ‘their’ wildlife guided by a few
outstanding teachers.
Some of the planned projects have already been completed. The
ecotourism center near the village of Dadia has a ten-room guesthouse, a
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lecture hall and a wooden pavilion where meals are served(photo 21). The
center’s guides answer questions and provide printed material.
Signposted footpaths leading to the observatory for birds of prey and the
nearby summits begin at the ecotourism center. The observation hut
offers a spectacular view of vultures and eagles.
A spacious cage built near the information center holds birds that have
been injured; those that cannot be released to the wild after recovery are
kept there for educational and demonstrative purposes.
The appropriation of a new fire-fighting vehicle has augmented the local
capability to combat the ever-present danger of wildfires during the
summer months.
In order to solve the various problems already described in detail a
general management plan has already been prepared by a competent staff
in cooperation with all the local and governmental authorities. In addition
a biomonitoring programme is going to take place very soon. Of primary
concern is the establishment of an administrative and scientific hierarchy
that will provide the much needed long term planning for the reserve; also
better coordination with the Forestry Service towards a more ‘ecological’
form of forestry that will allow sustained production of wood without
destruction of the old trees, thus combining exploitation and preservation
in a flexible overall management scheme. The management plan will also
include the recruitment of more wardens and seasonal assistants as
dictated by current needs, including training by the scientific staff; the
installation of goat flocks to provide food for the vultures, compensation
for losses to wolves and to help maintain locally the open character of the
forest through grazing; the optimal management of water resources,
including construction of additional firefighting reservoirs and small
ponds for wildlife; educational campaigns in the wider area geared
especially towards the young;the acquisition of critical habitat plots
outside the reserve, such as endangered Suslik pastures and the
stimulation of ecotourism,provided that the necessary facilities and
appropriate infrastructure for handling increased numbers of people have
been created.
Connection between Delta of Evros and Dadia Forest.
Dadia Forest is not only a very important biotope in terms of
ecological value; it also constitutes a part of a unique extended ecosystem
which lies at the area of river Evros and consists of forests-cultivationsgrazing lands-areas with bushes-riparian vegetation-Delta. Birds and
especially raptors are constantly moving throughout this extended area
and use these biotopes for several purposes. For example, birds often use
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Dadia Forest for rest during migration or as a hiding place, while they
find their food at the Delta.
As a result, Dadia Forest can provide some nearby areas with new
couples of these rare and endangered species and might gradually
reestablish the wildlife of Evros.
It is important both for the Delta and for the forest of Dadia to be
examined as one, single unit as well as separately.
Conclusion
All Greeks must realize that their country has been blessed with
many of the widely scattered, precious few locations in Europe where
nature has not been ravaged by the dramatic changes that humans have
imposed on their environment. Those isolated ‘islands’ where, until
recently, the negligible human intrusion has had little effect on the
habitat, remind us of what our continent looked like centuries, or even
merely decades ago. Many plant in animal species now rare or vanished
from most other European countries, what we like to call ‘wild life’, still
survive there. Among these locations the forest of Dadia, with its
invaluable riches in species and habitat diversity, is of paramount
importance, a veritable natural treasure.
We must also face the fact that the two main factors that have
guaranteed the very survival of this treasure up to now, inaccessibility
and the minimal human interference, are vanishing. Even now, every
minute loss opens up a gap we may never be able to close again, every
tiny change makes the whole system more vulnerable to the relentless
pressures of nature and man.
In Greece today, one of the most acute environmental problems is
the continuing, rapid destruction of forests. When the total forest
coverage extends to only 19% of the surface area (one of the lowest in
Europe), when tens of thousands hectares are burned, turned to fields and
pastures or bulldozed into summer homes every year, we can no longer
afford to be complacent, we must not allow any more losses.
‘Protection of the forest of Dadia should and must become a matter of
national pride…’
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REFERENCES
1. Natura 2000. summarized data of the proposed sites. Site name:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
DASOS DADIAS-SOUFLI (GR1110002) 1994.
Vamvaka Eythimia. Preliminary special management plan. Region:
forest of DADIA (GR1110002) 1997.
Hovardas Tasos. Honours project of post-graduate programme on
Dasos Dadias-Lefkimis-Soufliou: protected area, local society,
tourist activity. 1999.
Adamakopoulos T.,Gatzogiannis S., Poirazidis K. Special
Environmental Study of Dadia Forest. 1995.
Gatzogiannis S., Poirazidis K., Skartsi T.Special Management Plan
on Dadia Forest. 1995.
Nikos Petrou. Images of Dadia. Koan /Athina 1994.
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Annex
1)map 1(Gatzogiannis-Poirazidis-Skartsi
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photo 1(Petrou)
photo 2(Petrou)
photo 3(Petrou)
photo 4(Petrou)
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photo 5(Petrou)
photo 6(Petrou)
20
photo 7(Petrou)
photo 8(Petrou)
21
photo 9(Petrou)
photo 10(from brochure)
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photo 11(Petrou)
photo 12(Petrou)
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photo 13(Petrou)
photo 14(Petrou)
24
photo 15(Petrou)
photo 16(Petrou)
25
photo 17(Petrou)
photo 18(Petrou)
26
photo 19(Petrou)
photo 20(Petrou)
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photo 21(from brochure)
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank the coordinator of the European Class
mrs.Lazaridou for the valuable advice and the time she put at
my disposal. The support of the National Centre of Biotopes
and Wetlandswas very important since it provided me with
all the bibliography. Special thanks to the librarian of the
Centre for her willing offer of information.
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