For Special Protection Areas (SPA),
Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and
for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. SITE IDENTIFICATION
• 2. SITE LOCATION
• 3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
• 4. SITE DESCRIPTION
• 5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS
• 6. SITE MANAGEMENT
• 7. MAP OF THE SITE

1. SITE IDENTIFICATION

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1.1 Type

A

1.2 Site code

GR2330009

1.3 Site name

LIMNOTHALASSA KOTYCHI - ALYKI LECHAINON

1.4 First Compilation date

1995-03

1.5 Update date

2020-07

1.6 Respondent:

Name/Organisation:	Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας
Address:
Email:

1.7 Site indication and designation / classification dates

Date site classified as SPA:	1988-02
National legal reference of SPA designation	JMD HP 37338/1807/E103/6-9-2010 (OJ 1495 B)

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:	21.308781
Latitude:	38.013866

2.2 Area [ha]

2344.3700

2.3 Marine area [%]

15.3100

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):

No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code	Region Name
GR23	Dytiki Ellada

2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)

Mediterranean

(0.00 %)

Marine Mediterranean

(0.00 %)

3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

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3.1 Habitat types present on the site and assessment for them

No habitat types are reported for the site

3.2 Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and site evaluation for them

Species					Population in the site						Site assessment
G	Code	Scientific Name	S	NP	T	Size		Unit	Cat.	D.qual.	A|B|C|D	A|B|C
						Min	Max				Pop.	Con.	Iso.	Glo.
B	A053	Anas platyrhynchos			w	15		i	R	G	C	C	C	C
B	A145	Calidris minuta			c	510		i	C	G	C	B	C	B
B	A861	Calidris pugnax			c	160		i	C	G	C	B	C	B
B	A224	Caprimulgus europaeus			c				P	M	C	D	C	B
B	A138	Charadrius alexandrinus			r	20	25	p	C	G	C	B	C	B
B	A082	Circus cyaneus			w	2		i	R	G	C	B	C	B
B	A083	Circus macrourus			c	1		i	R	G	C	B	C	B
B	A859	Clanga clanga			w	2		i	R	G	C	B	C	B
B	A026	Egretta garzetta			c	170		i	C	G	C	A	C	A
B	A097	Falco vespertinus			c				P	G	C	D	C	B
B	A131	Himantopus himantopus			r	30	40	p	C	G	C	B	C	B
B	A022	Ixobrychus minutus			r	20	30	p	C	M	C	D	C	C
B	A339	Lanius minor			r	2	5	p	C	G	C	C	C	C
B	A156	Limosa limosa			c	9		i	R	G	C	C	C	C
B	A023	Nycticorax nycticorax			c	2		i	R	G	C	B	C	B
B	A094	Pandion haliaetus			c	1		i	R	G	C	B	C	B
B	A193	Sterna hirundo			c	5		i	C	G	C	C	C	C
B	A161	Tringa erythropus			c	13		i	R	G	C	B	C	B
B	A163	Tringa stagnatilis			c	29		i	R	G	C	B	C	B

• Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, I = Invertebrates, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
• S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
• NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
• Type: p = permanent, r = reproducing, c = concentration, w = wintering (for plant and non-migratory species use permanent)
• Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the Standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting (see reference portal)
• Abundance categories (Cat.): C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present - to fill if data are deficient (DD) or in addition to population size information
• Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation); VP = 'Very poor' (use this category only, if not even a rough estimation of the population size can be made, in this case the fields for population size can remain empty, but the field "Abundance categories" has to be filled in)

3.3 Other important species of flora and fauna (optional)

Species					Population in the site				Motivation
Group	CODE	Scientific Name	S	NP	Size		Unit	Cat.	Species Annex		Other categories
					Min	Max		C|R|V|P	IV	V	A	B	C	D
B	A025	Bubulcus ibis			72		I	C					X
B	A025	Bubulcus ibis			72		I	C			X
B	A025	Bubulcus ibis			72		I	C						X
B	A885	Sternula albifrons			40	50	p	C			X
B	A885	Sternula albifrons			40	50	p	C						X
B	A885	Sternula albifrons			40	50	p	C					X

• Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, Fu = Fungi, I = Invertebrates, L = Lichens, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
• CODE: for Birds, Annex IV and V species the code as provided in the reference portal should be used in addition to the scientific name
• S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
• NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
• Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting, (see reference portal)
• Cat.: Abundance categories: C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present
• Motivation categories: IV, V: Annex Species (Habitats Directive), A: National Red List data; B: Endemics; C: International Conventions; D: other reasons

4. SITE DESCRIPTION

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4.1 General site character

Habitat class	% Cover
N01	14.22
N02	26.94
N03	10.97
N04	1.99
N06	1.00
N15	13.96
N21	23.94
N23	6.98
Total Habitat Cover	100

Other Site Characteristics

Kotychi (or Neophytos) is a brackish coastal lagoon situated some kilometres to the north of the cape of Kyllini. It is the largest lagoon remaining in the western Peloponnisos after the drainage of the Agoulinitsa lagoon. Its surface presents strong seasonal fluctuations depending on the annual rainfall. Kotychi is a shallow lagoon with a depth of 30-40cm. It is fed by considerable quantities of fresh water input from several small streams and torrents, the largest of these being Brantzeleiko, Gouvos, Sykias and Trikokkia. These streams enter the lagoon mainly in its southern and eastern sides. At the centre of its western side there is an opening almost 30 m in width, which links the lagoon with the Ionian Sea. The salinity of the water tends to be kept low and the depth of the water tends to be reduced due to the deposition of suspended matter brought into the lagoon by the streams. These streams are also used as main drainage ditches from the surrounding agricultural land. The soil of the area consists mainly of alluvial and lacustrine sedimentary deposits. The deeper layers are a mixture of sands pebbles and stones. Presently the majority of the surrounding area is agricultural land and only a narrow natural zone occurs around the lagoon. Ammophilous vegetation is limited to the narrow sandy zone on the western side which separates the lagoon from the Ionian Sea. In this zone dunes with the dominating species Ammophila arenaria develop mainly near the opening of the lagoon, as well as to the northwest of it. The presence of the species Eryngium maritimum, Echinophora spinosa, Cyperus capitatus, Sporobolus pungens, Pancratium maritimum, Euphorbia peplis, Salsola kali, Cakile maritima etc. is significant on this side of the lagoon. On this same side, in a zone parallel to the ammophilous vegetation, characteristic vegetation comprising Arthrocnemum fruticosum, Juncus maritimus and J. acutus also grows in this zone. Apart from the above mentioned species Scirpus maritimus, Phragmites australis, Elymus hispidus and Juncus maritimus are present with a high coverage. Halophytic associations consisting of mainly Arthrocnemum fruticosum or Salicornia europaea grow almost all around the lagoon, as well as on the islets occurring in the lagoon itself. The participation in these associations of the species Halimione portulacoides is also of significance. Where many streams enter the lagoon in its eastern side, the presence of Phragmites australis, Scirpus maritimus and Typha domingensis is noteworthy. Great surfaces with Scirpus maritimus grow on the northern side of the lagoon. Small clusters of Tamarix are found limited to the south-eastern side of the lagoon only. Brackish water vegetation grows in a large area of the shallow lagoon. It is characterized by the species Ruppia cirrhosa and Zostera nolti. Potamogeton pectinatus is less frequent at the eastern part of the lagoon. At this same side, the species Lemna gibba grows among the plants of Scirpus maritimus. In the salty water of the lagoon, the species Ruppia maritima and Enteromorpha intestinalis occur. At present we don't have much data regarding the microflora of the lagoon. The smell of hydrogen sulphate at the eastern side of the lagoon, as well as at the entering streams probably indicates the occurrence of bacteria and Cyanophyceae. It is noticeable that around the halophytic associations, small size meadows which are usually under cultivation, occur. South of the lagoon adjacent minor salt marshes with Salicornia, Juncus and reed beds exist along ditches. In the north-western part of the site the pine forest begins together with shruby vegetation which is actually the southern part of Strofilia forest. The site extends eastwards a few meters beyond the limits of the wet meadows with Juncus, northwards to the village of Brinias and southwards up to Kragareika. The western limit of the site is the seashore of the Gulf of Kyllini. The majority of this area is cultivated mainly with maize, tomatoes, potatoes and Citrus trees. Areas of cultivated land are used as forage pastures for free grazing.

4.2 Quality and importance

Kotychi is the largest and the most significant lagoon occurring in the Peloponnisos. Although agricultural activity has been intensified around the Kotychi wetland, the wetland habitats themselves have not been significantly affected by such work.From an ornithological point of view, the lagoon has great ecological interest because it is on of the southernmost lagoons on the western migration route of many birds. For this reason it is a major resting station for migratory birds. The flora of this lagoon includes the species Halocnemum strobilaceum, the populations of which are very degraded in Greece and must be protected. Also, the species Cotula coronopifolia, which has an interesting geographical distribution from a phytogeographical point of view. Pancratium maritimum, is a species whose populations have been reduced along the Greek coasts. Furthermore, the examined area consists a natural ecological laboratory for education and research and is also widely used for fishing.Concerning the fauna of the Kotychi lagoon, some vertebrate species of Annex II of the Directive 92/43/EEC have been recorded. For Caretta caretta sandy beach of the site (especially the belt-shaped islet in front of the lagoon) seems to be quite a satisfactory nesting place, with about 20 nests/ km/ season (Cheiras, pers.comm.).

4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site

The most important impacts and activities with high effect on the site

4.4 Ownership (optional)

No information provided

4.5 Documentation (optional)

Heath, M. F. and Evans, M. I., eds. 2000. Important Bird Areas in Europe: Priority sites for conservation. 2: Southern Europe. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 8, p. 791.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

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5.1 Designation types at national and regional level (optional):

Code	Cover [%]
IN00	69.88

5.2 Relation of the described site with other sites (optional):

Designated at national or regional level:

Type code	Site name	Type	Cover [%]
GR96	Ethniko Parko Ygrotopon Kotychiou - Strofylias	*	99.28
GR08	Ethniko Parko ygrotopon Kotychiou - Strofylias, Zoni A - Periochi Prostasias tis Fysis	*	68.15
GR92	Ethniko Parko ygrotopon Kotychiou - Strofylias, Zoni B- Perifereiaki zoni prostasias	*	31.13

5.3 Site designation (optional)

No information provided

6. SITE MANAGEMENT

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6.1 Body(ies) responsible for the site management:

Organisation:	MANAGEMENT BODY OF “YGROTOPOI KOTYCHIOU-DASOUS STROFYLIAS”
Address:
Email:

6.2 Management Plan(s):

An actual management plan does exist:

	Yes
	No, but in preparation
X	No

6.3 Conservation measures (optional)

No information provided

 

7. MAP OF THE SITE

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