Amvrakikos Wetlands
A great complex of wetlands home to marvelous biodiversity
Text by Stam Zogaris - photos by Aris Vidalis
The Amvrakikos wetlands form one of Greece’s largest wetlands of International Importance, covering over 220 square km within the unique Amvrakikos embayment, on Greece’s west coast. The Greek Government has designated a National Park, and a Park Management Body in recent years. Tthe area is also famous for a local monastery’s unique ecotourism venture (Rodia Wetland Center). Sadly this protected-area has recently seen extensive degradation and severe impacts on wildlife, include an unusual human-wildlife conflict involving persecution of endangered birds such as Dalmatian Pelicans and Ferruginous Ducks. It’s a complicated issue of fishermen against fish-eating birds (especially the increasing Great Cormorant populations), and the problem of dealing with hunting and poaching pressures, that has created serious tensions in this National Park recently.
by Stam Zogaris
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