Description: The examined site is a complex ecosystem that is located in western Sterea Ellada. It is one of the most significant wetlands in Greece. In this area a very large lagoon, the Mesolongi lagoon (11.200 ha) predominates in the central part of the wetland system. There are also a number of other smaller lagoons to the north (Aitoliko lagoon, 1400 ha), east (Kleisova, 3000 ha), and the west (Gourounopoules, Paliopotamos, 800 ha). The lagoons of Mesolongi lie behind a fragmented sandy coastal ridge which is located between the mouth of the river Evinos to the east and the Koutsilaris hill to the west; they are connected with the Patraikos Gulf (which forms part of the Ionian Sea) by a large opening. In the eastern part of the Mesolongi plain is the delta of the river Evinos. In the extreme west of the site, the delta of the river Acheloos occurs. Most of the plain is formed from the sediments deposited by these two rivers. Evinos has deposited sediments that cover the whole area from Mesolongi eastwards, while sediments from the river Acheloos cover the area from Mesolongi to the west. In the western part of the site, the sediments of the river Acheloos surround several rocks and hills, of which the Koutsilaris (433 m) is the highest. In the same part several former beds of the river Acheloos can be distinguished. In some places within the area of the lagoons near Ag. Triada, Ag. Taxiarchis and Megalo Vouno, former sand-dune ridges may be observed. The Mesolongi lagoon system was formed in the Holocene. The basin of the lagoon is divided into the Aitoliko and Mesolongi lagoons, which are connected to each other by a narrow channel. From a geological point of view, the area belongs to the Ionian and Gavrovo zones and is composed mainly of sedimentary rocks. A small area of the Gavrovo zone is composed mainly of Upper Cretaceous limestones, Eocenic limestones and flysch. A larger area belonging to the Ionian zone is composed of Triassic crystalines and evaporites, Jurassic limestones with ceratoliths, Cretaceous and Eocenic limestones and flysch. The soil of the area has originated from erosion of the above rocks. Nearby, the whole area consists of clay deposited in salt water; only along the river beds we find clay deposited in fresh water. Some parts of the lagoons are rather isolated. This results in large fluctuations of salinity during the course of the year. The salinity of the shallow waters south of Aitoliko and probably near the former monastery Ag. Taxiarchis, also fluctuates considerably. The high salinity in summer, caused by evaporation, is tempered by fresh water flowing into the lagoons from the surrounding fields and some small brooks. During the winter large amounts of fresh water drain into the lagoons. In winter, water from the Evinos and Acheloos rivers probably also flows into the lagoons on occasions. The lagoons studied are shallow. Their maximum depth is about 2 m but large areas have a depth of about 1 m. Only the Aitoliko lagoon has a maximum depth of 28 m. The principal human activity in the lagoons is fishing. For this purpose elaborate pile screens have been constructed in many creeks using the stems of Arundo donax. In some places large quantities of this material are washed ashore and become substrate for a special type of vegetation. The Mesolongi lagoons were formerly surrounded mostly by extensive salt marshes, large parts of which were drained for agricultural purposes, but still remain infertile and serve as a wildlife habitat. Despite land reclamation, salt marshes, sand-banks and mudflats still occur around the lagoons. Generally the area is characterized by variable habitats. The estuaries of the Evinos river extend from the east shore of the Kleisova lagoon to the foot of Mt. Varasova. The River Evinos springs from Mt. Vardousia and flows into the Patraikos Gulf. It has a length of 110 km and its drainage basin is 1070 km 2 . It is noticeable that the riparian vegetation of river Evinos appears significantly different from the vegetation of river Acheloos. This happens because the Evinos river has not a constant and satisfactory flow during all the year. At the coastal zone extending from the east shore of the Kleisova lagoon to the west of the mouth of the Evinos river (ca. 3 km in length and 0.5 km in width) the land is lower than sea level and is devoid of discharge, resulting in overflow due to rain water. In that place an extensive saltmarsh with a gradiated natural vegetation (Tamaricetum, Juncetum, Arthocnemetum, Salicornietum) is developed.

Habitat Types: Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time, Posidonia beds, Estuaries, Mudflats and sandflats not covered by sea water at low tide, Lagoons, Annual vegetation of drift lines, Vegetated sea cliffs of the Mediterranean coasts (with endemic Limonium spp.), Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand, Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi), Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophilous scrubs (Arthrocnemetalia fructicosae), Salt steppes (Limonietalia), Embryonic shifting dunes, Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria, Juniperus phoenicea arborescent matorral, Low formations of euphorbia close to cliffs, Tree-spurge formations, Diss-dominated garrigues, Aegean phrygana (Sarcopoterium spinosum), Pseudo-steppe woth grasses and annuals (Thero-Brachypodietea), Thermophilous ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) woods, 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), Quercus macrolepis forests, Mediterranean pine forests with endemic Mesogean pines.

Plant Species: Centaurea niederi.

Animal Species: Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus blasii, Tursiops truncatus, Lutra lutra, Monachus monachus, Testudo hermanni, Testudo marginata, Emys orbicularis, Mauremys caspica, Caretta caretta, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Acipencer sturio, Alosa fallax, Rutilus alburnoides, Phoxinellus spp., Rutilus rubilio, Barbus meridionalis, Barbus capito, Cobitis trichonica, Silurus aristotelis, Aphanius fasciatus, Lycaena dispar.

Other important species:	-Flora: 5B, 1C, 5D
	-Fauna: 6A, 21C

Impacts/Activities:	-Positive: -
	-Neutral: 200, 210, (IN)
	-Negative: 100, 120, 130, 140, 165, 230, 340, 502, 520, 690, 701, 801, 870, 890, 910 (IN)

Protection Status:	-National and Regional level: Natural monuments and landmarks, Game refuge
	-International level: Ramsar Convention site, Council of Europe Biogenetic Reserve, IBA

Significance: Although the examined site is a compact ecosystem that has been strongly influenced by human activities, it still has significant ecological value, for that reason it is included in the Ramsar Convention. The flora and fauna of the area is largely specialized due to the extensive presence and dominance of wet-element taxa. As mentioned above, despite land reclamation, extensive areas of salt marshes sandbanks and mudflats still exist. An important part of this site is the pure Fraxinus forest (the only one in Greece) that exists near the Lesini area. Relicts from such a riparian forest occur also on the eastern banks of the Evinos river. These areas have large ornithological and ecological value. The alluvium of the Evinos river are very significant and in very good condition. The estuary of this river consists of one of the most harmonized ecosystems we have encountered. The