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Kerkini
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In lowland and semi-mountainous region of the prefecture of Serres significant wetlands of international importance. The largest and best known is the Kerkini. The lake Kerkini is not, as many regard the former lake sea urchins, which was for the most part marshy place and stretched from the mouth of Strimonas until about the middle of the prefecture of Serres. Created by artificial intervention in human Strimonas River. It is one of great benefit to agriculture and wetlands are along for thousands of animals and birds. In ancient times, saying "Kerkouros. Kerkinitis "called dried lake or sea urchins, which is a remnant of this lake Pethelinou. The extent of the lake varies from 54250-72110 acre. Depending on the season. Admiration caused by forests, the waterlily and the variety of fish are a source of income for many local residents. The lake is fed mainly by water from Strimonas and less than Kerkiniti and shock. Created in 1932, when the barrier in the Lithotopou to hold the waters of the river and later Strimonas used as part of water storage for irrigation of the plain of the prefecture. In 1982, due to reduced capacity of the lake due to bring materials from Strimonas, a new dam. |
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 The Kerkini protected by the Ramsar Convention and is a region of the European Network «Natura 2000». In the Kerkini encounter many species of mammals such as jackal, the wolf, the wildcat, the otter, the weasel, the deer, the hare, the wild boar, etc. There are 10 species of amphibians and 20 species of reptiles. The fish are also rich because there are 30 major fish species in the eel. In the area around the lake have recorded some 300 bird species. The ÁñãõñïðaaëaaêUEíïò and Ëáããueíá who live there are unique in the world species threatened with extinction. There are many rare predators such as golden, the vasilaetos, the robin, while the area is a unique field of research on wetlands and their management. In recent years Kerkini knows great tourist development and the controlled use of and helps to strengthen the incomes of local residents. The main threats to the lake, other than bring the matter Strimonas is Strimonas pollution, illegal logging, illegal fishing, illegal hunting, visits to colonies of birds that have adverse effects on reproduction and the raising of dikes which helps to reduce the types of fish. In living lake and the largest buffalo population in Greece is estimated to exceed 500. The lake and surrounding area is ideal for environmental education and is ideal for the development of ecotourism in order to gather many people who love the special forms of tourism and ecology. |
