email a friend
printable version
close| Location | Greece, Western Macedonia |
| Central coordinates | 21o 18.00' East 40o 31.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, A4i, B1i, B2, C1, C2, C3, C6 |
| Area | 3,400 ha |
| Altitude | 620 m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2000 |
Ornithological information An important foraging area for Pelecanus crispus. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (passage).
Site description An inland freshwater lake with the town of Kastoria on its shore. Around the north-western part of the lake an area of riverine forest remains.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca | breeding | 1993 | 30 breeding pairs | - | A1, B2, C1, C6 | Near Threatened |
| Common Merganser Mergus merganser | winter | 1993 | 5-10 individuals | medium | B1i, C3 | Least Concern |
| Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides | breeding | 1993 | 10-50 breeding pairs | medium | B2, C2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus | passage | 1993 | 50-100 individuals | medium | A1, A4i, B1i, C1, C2 | Vulnerable |
| Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus | winter | 1993 | 500 individuals | medium | A1, A4i, B1i, C1, C2 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIMNI KASTORIAS - GR1320001 | Habitats Directive | 4,732 | protected area overlaps with site | 3,740 | |
| LIMNI ORESTIAS (KASTORIAS) - GR1320003 | Birds Directive | 3,833 | protected area contains site | 3,795 | |
| Limni-Vouno Kastorias | Wildlife Refuge | 9,422 | protected area overlaps with site | 946 |
|
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Alluvial and very wet forest | 10% |
| Grassland | Humid grasslands | 5% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation | 60% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Other urban and industrial areas | 30% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 20% |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| tourism/recreation | 30% |
| urban/industrial/transport | 10% |
Management considerations The remaining riverine forest is threatened by agricultural expansion and road building. The lake water is polluted by agricultural run-off and sewerage from Kastoria. Tourist facilities are likely to expand in the future. The site has an Environmental Education Centre. A management plan is under preparation. The area is a candidate SAC.
Protection status National Partial International None3,400 ha of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Limni, Vouno Kastorias, 7,050 ha).
Contribute Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.
Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lake Kastoria (Orestiada). Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
|
|