The importance of Katsikas wet meadows for the conservation of endangered wetland avifauna of the Lake Pamvotis

This paper examines the use of Katsikas wet meadows by waterbirds, during the periods of winter/spring 2010-2011 and winter/spring 2012-2013. Katsikas is an area located in the southern part of Lake Pamvotis near Ioannina, a city in Northwestern Greece. The purpose of our research was to examine the importance of this habitat for the presence of the endangered avifauna of Lake Pamvotis. We collected data during two periods of systematic observation and we further combined the findings with previously unpublished data. Systematic surveys were conducted every 7 days, in a six-month period (December 14th to June 19th), with full coverage of the study area. Additionally, once a month on the same date every year, we mapped the extent of flooded wet meadows in that area. 77 waterbird species have been recorder in Lake Pamvotis, while 76,62% of them were also located in Katsikas wet meadows. Among the 22 endangered bird species (Greek Red Data Book, 2009) of Lake Pamvotis, a subset of 16 species (80%) were also recorded in Katsikas wet meadows. Similarly, 21 (75%) of the 28 species of the lake, included in Annex I of Birds Directive 2009/147/EC, were recorded in the study area. Differences in the extent of flooded wet meadows, during the two study periods, in combination with the respective reductions they brought on the species’ number, showed that flooded areas are important for the maintenance of significant populations of endangered species, during winter and up to the end of the spring migration period. Our results support the urgency of habitat restoration for waterbird in Lake Pamvotis Special Protected Area, as part of the proposed Katsikas Wetland Park.