SPA Douskon mountain, Oraiokastro, Meropi forest, Gormou valley and Delvinaki lakes

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Douskon mountain, Oraiokastro, Meropi forest, Gormou valley and Delvinaki lakes (GR2130010)
National Name: Ori Douskon, Oraiokastro, dasos Meropis, koilada Gormou kai limnes Delvinakiou

Location

This hilly site is located at Pogoni of Ioannina, at the borders with Albania. It includes the upper part of the valley of river Kalamas, the Greek part of Douskon mountain range and mount Kasidiaris.

Landscape and biodiversity

The area is dominated by oak forests alternating with a complex mosaic of agroforestral ecosystems with cereals, legumes and pasturelands, as well as rivers with riparian vegetation, lakes, temporary and permanent marshes and wet meadows. Mounts Douskon and Kasidiaris are covered by extensive montane grasslands, forest grasslands with oaks and steep slopes.

Significance

It is an important site for species that breed in forest habitats and for raptors as Circaetus gallicus, Accipiter brevipes, Aquila pomarina, Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraaetus pennatus. The area used to host a large population of Neophron percnopterus (47 individuals in the beginning of the ’80s).

Livelihood
The main human activities are agriculture, livestock breeding and forestry.

Threats
The main threats for the area’s priority species include the illegal use of poisoned baits, logging of mature trees, draining and gradual wetland degradation, pollution, the abandonment of traditional farming activities, agricultural intensification and illegal hunting.

Conservation status
•    SPA: GR2130010 Oros Douskon, Oraiokastro, Dasos Meropis, Koilada Gormou, Limni Delvinakiou (17,410 ha, 49 %)
•    WR: Prosilio - Ronitsa (Delvinakiou) (2090 ha, 5 %)