| Περιγραφή Τόπου |
Alyki is a shallow coastal salt lagoon and Chortarolimni is a coastal seasonal brackish marsh (hereafter they are called lakes for simplicity). The lakes Alyki and Chortarolimni are located in the eastern part of the island of Limnos, along the coastal zone and in close proximity to each other. The surface of the lakes is about 600 ha and 230 ha respectively. Between the two lakes there is a smaller one (Asprolimni, ca. 42 ha). The access to the wetland is difficult during the rainy season and is made possible through a trail. The latter is close to the road that connects the communities of Roussopoulio, Romano, Kalliopi and Kontopoulio with the habitation centre of the community of Moudros. Alyki is covered, for the most part, by sea water in contrast to Chortarolimni which is empty of water most of the time.When there is no water Alyki as well as Chortarolimni form an extended salt meadow the skirts of which that face the sea are devoid of vegetation due to the severe winds. The area of the meadow is occupied by salt scrubs (Salicornia sp., Arthrocnemum sp., Tamarix sp.) intermixed with glasswort swards. In the outer zone of the skirts one finds Juncus sp., Erica sp., Cistus sp., Euphorbia sp. and Sarcopoterium spinosum. Wooded formations are very scattered within the broader area (olive trees, Vitex agnus, Elaegnus angustifolius, Ficus carica, Quercus macrolepis - habitat type 9350). There also exist mosaic-type areas of Phragmites australis and Arundo donax.Finally, a narrow zone of ammophilous psammophytic vegetation extends at the seashore [fine sand, unstabilised dunes -Ammophila arenaria, Eryngium maritimum, Pancratium maritimum followed by a transitional zone with stabilised dunes - Centaurea spinosa, Thymus sp. (habitat type 2260)]. NOTES: Maps of the Hellenic Army Geographical Service, the Royal Greek Navy Hydrographic Service and the British Navy Hydrographic Service were used to delimitate the present site. The road which follows the contour line at 10 m was considered as the best approximation to the relief since it is laid out parallel to the row of hills. It includes drainage-basins that end at the lakes Alyki and Chortarolimni.Since the marine area of the site is in the northern Aegean Sea, the water is more turbid and the depth curve at 20 m was regarded as a satisfactory approximation to the lower limit of distribution of the submarine meadows (Posidonia oceanica beds). The whole plateau is considered to be covered by submarine meadows. Their presence is shown on the map of the Navy Hydrographic Service though it is possible that large areas of the plateau may be devoid of vegetation (Posidonia oceanica) due to the great hydrodynamism. In the case of habitat type 1170 (reefs), boundaries were drawn by following the depth curve at 10 m (Keros reefs) and the corresponding one at 5 m (Petalida reefs). The difference between the two depth curves is justified by the greater hydrodynamism at Keros reefs. |
