Lake Vistonida
The Vistonida Lake (Greek λίμνη Βιστωνίδα, also Vistonia Lake or Lake Vistonis ) is a body of water in northeastern Greece between regional districts Xanthi and Rodopi.
General
Together with Porto Lagos, the Ismaris Lake and neighboring lagoons forms of Vistonia Lake the largest Greek wetland that is placed under the protection of the Ramsar Convention.
The Vistonida lake formed five million years ago. The name was given to him under the Bistonen, a Thracian tribe, who lived in the area; the horses of Bistonen King Diomedes are known from the legend of Hercules.
The lake area is 42 km ². The size of the lake varies - depending on the season - about 6 km ². The average depth of the lake is 2.5 m, the maximum depth of 3 m.
A peculiarity of the brackish-water lake, the local differences in the salt content of the water. In the northern part of the lake, the water is sweet because of the fresh water flow of the three rivers Kosynthos, Kompsatos and Travos, the southern part of the lake, however, is due to three channels connecting the lake with the sea, strongly brackish.
Ecological Significance
300 of 422 occurring in Greece species are native to the Vistonida lake. The ecological inventory of the area is threatened by hunting (although in parts of the territory of the use of firearms is prohibited), and also by colonization and tourism (where alternative tourism is promoted by the state ), but also by commercial fishing, agriculture and industry.
Birds
The lake provides with its Tamariskenufern, extensive reeds and marshes one of the most important wintering grounds for migratory birds of all kinds is, especially Blässrallen and various duck and goose species. Otherwise it serves as a station on the onward flight ..
As breeding birds come Löffler, found redshank, avocet and several tern species. Pelicans, flamingos and in Europe occurring only here Spornkiebitz among the sites to be visited bird species, and also the rare white-headed duck.
Abundance of fish
In addition to numerous bird species is the abundance of fish ( 37 species, including eels and mullet and the rare subspecies Chalcalburnus chalcoides macedonicus, Leuciscus cephalus and Triturus cristatus macedonicus karelini ) worth mentioning; the earlier native here endemic subspecies of herring Alosa alosa vistonica is now considered extinct.
Other animal species
In the riverine forests and bushes around the lake and in particular in the delta of Komsatos wild cats, jackals, badgers, wolves and deer species live ..
Plant species
On rare and endangered plant species of pondweed species Dense pondweed ( Groenlandia densa ), water chestnut (Trapa natans ) and the beach rye Leymus racemosus sabulosus subspecies occur.
Ownership and real estate scandal in 2008
The Vistonida lake and shore land is the main point of criticism in a scandal over controversial real estate transactions between the Greek State and the Athos Monastery of Vatopedi. The lake had been the monastery reportedly bequeathed by the Byzantine emperor nearly 1,000 years ago. Although the claims were disputed, they were recognized by the state. In exchange for the lake with its entire water surface and the shore area, the monastery received 260 more valuable land in the developed tourism areas, such z.Bsp. in the Olympic village in Athens, some of which immediately resold it at a profit. "You have the state of the lake - that is 'air' sold - and it get valuable offices, land and buildings in Athens for the exchange, " criticized the opposition. The resulting damage by the Greek State that the space occupied by the monastery lakeside plots have been greatly undervalued over and the exchange land is estimated at 100 million euros. This property scandal rocked the government of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis harshly; He first led to the resignation of those involved in the real estate business Handelsmarineminsters Giorgos Voulgarakis. Two prosecutors laid down their posts because they were obstructed by the government in its investigation work under heavy fire of the opposition also got the government spokesman, Minister of State Theodoros Rousopoulos, friend of the Vatopedi Abbot Ephraim, and at the same time close confidant of the Government; he gave back his post on 23 October 2008. Archimandrite Ephraim, was arrested on 25 December 2011 by the Greek police and taken a few days later in the high security prison Korydallos in Athens.
The lake and the surrounding hydro biotope him to form the new " National Park of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace ." This is to underline the claims of the state of the lake opposite the monastery of Vatopedi. Monastery wants court action against this decision ..
Porto Lagos and its lagoon
South of Vistonida lake on a strip of land nehrungsartigen the small fishing village of Porto Lagos is a fishing port on a small lagoon.