The location of Dadia

1
BIODIVERSITY REPORT

• On Dasos Dadias- Lefkimis- Soufliou
• Bousiaki
• Eleni

2
The location of Dadia

• Dadia forest lays North of Alexandroupolis,in the
  province of Evros, in Thrace.
• It covers the S.E. hills of the Rodopi mountain
  range.
• It lays along one of the major flyways for
  migratory birds.

3
The forest landscape

• It is compiled by
• streams
• rocky formations
• forest gaps
• natural fences
• traditional cultivations

(Nicos Petrou)
4
The three key factors that shaped the character
of the forest

• Fire
• Grazing
• Woodcutting

(Nicos Petrou)
5
Dadia forest through the years

• Until the 1970s
• Clustered population,mild land use
• In 1974
• Initiation of the Evros Development Project
• In 1979
• A report by B. Hallman prompted the Greek
  Government to create a reserve in Dadia

6
The structure of the reserve

• One small nucleus of 922ha.
• One larger one of 6368ha.
• The two nuclei are surrounded by 39000ha of
  buffer zone.

(Gatzogiannis-Poirazidis-Skartsi)
7
Dadia through the years

• In 1985 the value of the herpetofauna was pointed
  out by scientists
• In 1987 several management projects were
  undertaken, for example the feeding area
• Natura 2000 (E.U. Directive 92/43) declared Dadia
  as S.P.A.

(from brochure)
8
FLORA

• The forest coverage is no less than 70
• Dominant species are the Calabrian Pine and the
  Turkish Oak
• Riparian vegetation consists of Alders and white
  Willows

(Nicos Petrou)
9
FAUNA- BIRDS

• Out of 38 species of Raptors in Europe, 36 are
  present in Dadia
• 3 out of 4 european species meet here
• The area puts up the most endangered species of
  raptors

10
The Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
(Nicos Petrou)
11
The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
(Nicos Petrou)
12
The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
(Nicos Petrou)
13
The White- tailed Eagle (Heliaetus albicila)
(Nicos Petrou)
14
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus)
(Nicos Petrou)
15
The Short- toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
(Nicos Petrou)
16
The Little Owl (Athene noctua)
(Nicos Petrou)
17
Other Birds

• The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), on top of a
  church

(Nicos Petrou)
18
Birdwatchers

• Dadia is of significant interest for visiting
  birdwatchers

(from brochure)
19
Reptiles and Amphibians

• 8 species are protected by Natura 2000 and 31 by
  international conventions.
• Their high population density indicates their key
  position in the ecosystem

20
Salamanders and Newts

• Triturus vulgaris
• Fire Salamander(Salamandra salamandra)

(Nicos Petrou)
21
FROGS

• Common species are Rana greaca, Rana dalmatina,
  Hyla arborea and Bufo bufo

(Nicos Petrou)
22
TORTOISES

• They are probably the most endangered reptiles!
• The two most common species are Hermanns
  tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and Spur- thighed
  tortoise (Testudo graeca)

(Nicos Petrou)
23
MAMMALS

• 5 species are protected by NATURA 2000 and 9
  species are in the Red Data Book for Mammals
• Wildcat (Felis sylvestris)

(Nicos Petrou)
24
Red Squirel and Wild Boar
(Nicos Petrou)
25
DANGERS

• Inadequate habitat and hunting grounds for
  reptiles and amphibians in the buffer zone.
• Reforestation, timber extraction and agricultural
  practices in the buffer zone.
• Decrease of livestock breeding.
• Hunting and poisoning.
• Road construction, military activities and
  traffic.
• Ecotourism not well planned.
• Pet trade.

26
MANAGEMENT

• Alternative and more ecological form of forestry
• A general management plan
• Biomonitoring program
• Installation of goat flocks
• Maintainance of the open character of the forest
• Strengthning of grazing
• Stimulation of ecotourism

27
Ecotourism

• Local people have found other sources of income
  through ecotourism
• There is an ecotourism centre in Dadia village

(from brochure)
28
Connection of the Evros Delta and Dadia forest

• Dadia forest is a part of the unique extended
  ecosystem of River Evros
• It can gradually restablish the wild life of
  Evros through the buffer zone, if well managed

29
Protection of the forest of Dadia should and
must become a matter of national pride