Habitat use by water-birds in Prespa National Park, Greece

Abstract

Prespa National Park in northwestern Greece is an important breeding area for a number of rare wetland bird species. Nevertheless, serious conservation problems have arisen in the park due to human activities, mainly through agricultural development. The aim of the study was to assess the ecological values of the various wetland biotopes in Prespa. The conservation potential of each water-bird habitat was assessed by recording the use by the populations of 12 species in relation to present land use. The breeding status of the same birds was also recorded from 1983 to 1986. Eight sampling sites were established where measurements of the abundance and species richness of birds either nesting or feeding-resting were made. The importance of Vromolimni and the Albanian border as the two major nesting sites for all colonial birds was documented. These breeding populations are critically dependent on wet meadow biotopes for feeding and resting during the nesting period. In particular, the semi-marsh type with dense low vegetation and higher water level supported the feeding requirements of all species studied. Conservation measures to prevent further destruction of such wetland areas are most urgently needed.