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| Site Name: LIMNES TRICHONIDA KAI LYSIMACHIA |
| Site Code: GR2310009 |
Type: B |
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| Longitude: 21o 32 00 |
Latitude: 39o 12 20 |
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| Administrative Region: Dytiki Ellada |
Prefecture: Aitoloakarnania |
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| Altitude (m): 159 |
Area (ha): 14279 |
Description:
The freshwater lakes of Trichonida and Lysimachia are situated in the area of Aitoloakarnania, near the town of Agrinio, in western Central Greece. Lake Trichonida (or Vrachori) is the largest lake in Greece (apart from Megali Prespa, a small part of which belongs to Greece). From an ecological point of view, it is one of the most important natural lakes of Western Greece. It has a surface area of 9690 ha, a circumference of 51 km, maximum length of 20 km, maximum width of 6,5 km and a depth of up to 58 m. To the west of lake Trichonida, at a distance of 2800 m, Lysimachia lake (Agelokastro lake, Konopi or Hydria) is situated. This is connected with Trichonida lake and the Acheloos river by means of two artificial ditches, known as Alampei and Dimikos, respectively. Lysimachia lake has a surface area of 1300 ha, a circumference of 17 km, maximum length of 6.25 km, a maximum width of 2.85 km, and a depth of up to 9 m. Both the lakes have a tectonic origin and occur across the tectonic graben of Agrinio. Both also have positive water balance, because of the high input of water due to the streams and the sublacustrine inflow of karstic water. Lake Trichonida has a relatively small drainage basin and for that reason it conserves a relatively stable water level. Lake Lysimachia has a relatively large drainage basin and is influenced by the water coming from Ermitsas stream, as well as the water of lake Trichonida (through Alampei ditch). It exhibits strong seasonal fluctuations of its water level, which is due to the high evaporation rate during summer and drainage to the river Acheloos. During the winter it often overflows. From the thermal point of view Trichonida and Lysimachia are warm monomictic lakes with a temperature ranging from 15.5 to 26.4 0 C. Both of them belong to the Carbonate type. Although the two lakes are basically considered oligotrophic the vascular plants found there (Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, etc.) mostly occur in eutrophic or mesotrophic lakes. Lake Trichonida is surrounded by cultivated fields with Nicotiana tabaccum, Citrus sp. and olive trees. At the littoral zone of the lake herbs predominate while shrubs and trees occur only sporadically. At the upper infralittoral zone Phragmites australis and Typha domingensis dominate and there shape an almost continuous zone on the alluvial deposits mainly at the western part of the lake. Iris pseudacorus participates in low frequency of occurence in the structure of the plant communities of the upper infralittoral zone. This zone is interrupted, in some places only, by human activities. The middle infralittoral zone is locally covered by Nymphaea alba and Potamogeton nodosus, while at the lower infralittoral zone, species of the genera Potamogeton, Myriophyllum and Chara (Charophyta) predominate. The plankton occurring in this site are of special importance, because they are the dominant element of the primary flora, and are valuable indicators of the biological state of the lakes. Phytoplankton consists of 99 species of algae and contains cosmopolitan species accompanied by some endemic taxa as well as some of tropical origin. In several places permanent or seasonal marshes occur. The natural shore-line vegetation particularly consists of herbs and shrubs and trees have scattered distributions. The species dominating near the shore line is Phragmites australis. It forms an extremely dense, almost continuous reed-fringe, mainly near the waters edge, as well as in the upper infralittoral zone and is interrupted in several places only, by human activities. The greatest characteristic cover is presented by the species Paspalum paspaloides. The submerged species Vallisneria spiralis predominates in the lower infralittoral zone, forming dense stands, while Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum and Najas marina present the lower cover. |
Habitat Types:
Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi), Natural euthrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation, Aegean phrygana (Sarcopoterium spinosum), Sclerophyllous grazed forests (dehesas) with Quercus suber and/or Quercus ilex, Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and Carex davalliana, Salix alba and Populus alba galleries, Oriental plane woods (Platanion orientalis), Thermo-Mediterranean riparian galleries (Nerio-Tamariceteae) and south-west Iberian Peninsula riparian galleries (Securinegion tinctoriae). |
Plant Species:
There is no information about plant species of this region. |
Animal Species:
Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Myotis emarginatus, Lutra lutra, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Rutilus alburnoides, Phoxinellus spp., Rutilus rubilio, Barbus capito, Cobitis trichonica, Silurus aristotelis, Pomatoschistus canestrini, Unio crassus. |
Other important species:
-Flora: 1B, 14D |
Impacts/Activities:
-Positive: - |
Protection Status:
-National and Regional level: - |
Significance:
In spite of human activities, the lakes conserve a significant amount of their flora and fauna, as well as natural beauty and beautiful scenery. Around them extensive reed communities are developed, which offer valuable refuge to wild fauna. Moreover, the lakes ensure the water supply and irrigation of the surrounding area are ideal for fishing and recreation, also having scientific and educational interests. Many interesting plants comprise the flora of the site. The endangered aquatic species Cladium mariscus has been found at the south side of the lake Trichonida. This site is also an important resting area for migratory waterfowl, whereas its value as a breeding area has so far not been verified. |
