Alonissos Nature: Agios Dimitrios lagoon

The lagoon of Agios Dimitrios is the only natural wetland on Alonissos. It is located 13 km from Patitiri town, next to the beach of Agios Dimitrios. It covers an area of 8,53 km2 and is seasonal, usually holding rainwater between early winter and May or June, sometimes even July, depending on the amounts of rainfall. The vegetation consists of Mediterranean salt meadow plants, with Juncus sp., Sporolobus pungens and Salicornia sp., as well as a zone of dense shrubland with Brambles Rubus sanctus and Mastic Trees Pistacia lentiscus. The lagoon is of major ecological and aesthetic importance and is protected by the Presidential Decree regarding small wetlands of Greek islands (ΦΕΚ229/ΑΑΠ/2012). It is a very important stopover for migratory birds, such as waders, herons, ducks, moorhens and passerines. The great diversity of orchids and odonata in the area should also be noted.