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GR090
Akarnanika mountains
Location Greece, Western Greece
Central coordinates 21o 0.00' East  38o 45.00' North
IBA criteria A3, B2, B3, C6
Area 39,000 ha
Altitude 0 - 1,589m
Year of IBA assessment 2000

Hellenic Ornithological Society



Ornithological information This is an important site for species characteristic of open montane habitats. Breeding birds include eight of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (1-4 breeding pairs).

Site description A mountain range extending from Amvrakikos gulf to the north of the Acheloos plain. The site is dominated by open Quercus forests, maquis and phrygana. Human activities include livestock-farming, arable agriculture, and aquaculture/fishing.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca resident  1996  common [units unknown]  -  A3  Near Threatened 
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus resident  1996  7-12 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus breeding  1996  4-6 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciatus resident  1996  2-4 breeding pairs  good  B2, C6  Least Concern 
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius resident  1996  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula resident  1996  1,200-2,000 breeding pairs  good  B3  Least Concern 
Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum breeding  1996  rare [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala resident  1996  abundant [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans breeding  1996  frequent [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Western Rock-nuthatch Sitta neumayer resident  1996  abundant [units unknown]  -  A3, B3  Least Concern 
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica resident  1996  abundant [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius resident  1996  abundant [units unknown]  -  B2  Least Concern 
Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia breeding  1996  rare [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala breeding  1996  common [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
OROS TSEREKAS (AKARNANIKA) - GR2310011 Birds Directive 5,096 protected area overlaps with site 4,679  
Perganti--Xiromerou/Monastiraki--Vatou--Thiriou Game Refuge 3,960 protected area overlaps with site 3,960  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved deciduous woodland; Native coniferous woodland  25%
Shrubland Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis  50%
Sea Sea inlets and coastal features  5%
Coastline Sea cliffs and rocky shores  -
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land  15%
Rocky areas Inland cliffs  -

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture 85%
fisheries/aquaculture 5%

Management considerations The Quercus forest is threatened by heavy grazing pressure which is preventing regeneration. Harbour facilities in the south-western section of the IBA may be developed into an oil refinery.

Protection status National Partial International None3,960 ha of IBA covered by Wildlife Refuge (Perganti-Xiromerou/Monastiraki-Vatou-Thiriou, 3,960 ha).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Akarnanika mountains. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife