National Park of Dadia - Lefkimi - Souflion

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.

Greece (Europe and North America)
Date of Submission: 31/01/2003
Criteria: (vii)(x)
Category: Natural
Submitted by: Ministry of the Environment, Physical planning and public works -Directorate Gen. of the environment
Coordinates: Province of Evros, Northeastern Greece
Ref.: 1792

Description

The proposed Biogenetic Reserve is a submountainous hilly area with intense and diverse landscapes, and contains some of the most natural and traditional managed ecosystems in Greece. It has a recognized high value for the conservation of birds, at the European and Mediterranean levels, with 229 species present. This site has as unique value for the conservation of birds of prey with the impressive presence of 36 species of diurnal raptors in a total of 38 species occurring in Europe. Outstanding is the presence of the black vulture Aegypius monachus breeding colony, one of the two remaining in the European continent, as well as the presence of all 4 species of vultures, occurring in Europe. The site also has a recognized European value for the conservation reptiles and amphibians, as 40 species have been identified, while several of them are at the border of their overall distribution. As a consequence of the above, the proposed Biogenetic Reserve encompasses a designated Special Protection Area under the DIR/79/409/ E.E.C. for the protection of birds, and two potential Sites of Community Importance under the DIR/92/43/ E.E.C. for the conservation of natural habitats. Dadia forest area consists of traditional urban landscape, Agricultural landscape, forest and local communities in a total size of 43.000 Ha.