Alonissos Nature: Biotopes

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.

The lagoon as seen from the nearby hills

Squacco heron Ardeola ralloides

Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Spotted redshank Tringa erythropus

Educational sign at the lagoon

Bee orchid Ophrys sicula

Pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis

The water dam of Kastanorema was constructed in the late 2000's to early 2010's for purposes surrounding concentration of freshwater from the streams ending up at the valley of Kastanorema, but for technical reasons was never operated. Covering an area of approximately 150 km2, it has year-round presence of freshwater and is covered by large stones and little aquatic vegetation, mainly consisting of Pondweed Potamogeton sp. and grasses. The valley of Kastanorema is located at the river mouth of Kastanorema gorge, where a small perennial stream flows. The area is covered by dense maquis, oak forests and some olive groves and is located at the NE part of Alonissos, 14 km from the main town of Patitiri. The dam is an important stopover for migratory avifauna and is also a hotspot for birds of prey, such as kestrels, falcons, buzzards and owls. The valley is also an important nesting area for several passerines. Dragonflies, butterflies and dozens of interesting flowering plant species thrive in the area.