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broadleaf woods   coastal fringe   lowland conifers   lowland scrub       uplands       conservation  

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WETLANDS

Wetland habitats are not extensive on Thásos, even by comparison with many other Greek islands. Topography, geology and climate combine to produce a generally dry landscape, such that the winter rains either percolate through the limestone into underground aquifers or are rapidly shed from the mountain slopes down swift-flowing rivers that almost reach the coast before slackening their descent. The prevalence of low-key agriculture in the coastal flatlands means that fertile soils here have been cultivated and any historic wetlands that may have existed have largely been drained.

Few exceptions survive but these remnants contain important habitats for a range of characteristic wildlife species and should be the focus of local conservation efforts. Of prime importance is the area of damp sandy pastures on the alluvial flats at Skala Potamia. Much of this has been drained and is occupied by ancient olive groves or (more recently) maize, but towards the coast there are numerous plots of wet, sedge-rich grassland and small reedbeds. These pastures are botanically rich, snowflake Leucojum aestivum is a speciality of the area, and the diverse flora supports an equally interesting fauna, including a wealth of butterfly species. Through the pastures runs a small sandy river and this is a focus for the local birdlife as well as home to a distinctive assemblage of invertebrates. Mole crickets (Gryllotalpa sp.) are abundant in the friable soils of the river banks during early summer. Unfortunately development continues apace at Skala Potamias-Golden Beach and the importance of the area is steadily diminishing. The pasture depicted above, which was one of the most botanically diverse,  will soon be entirely destroyed as two new apartments are being constructed on it in 2003.

Similar damp pastures are highly localised elsewhere on the island. A good example on the outskirts of Thassos Town, on the SE side of the junction with the Makriammos turn-off on the road to Panagia, which was botanically diverse, has been recently damaged by building works and has become more rank and less species-rich through lack of grazing. Across the road from here (behind the Shell garage) Lance Chilton has discovered an extensive area of sedge rich valley fen interspersed with unimproved damp pastures and poplar scrub. The wetland stretches have an abundance of great horsetail Equisetum telmateia and sparse reed and further exploration is likely to show that this is an important area for the conservation of wetland plants and animals on Thásos. For instance, recent surveys have found three whorl snail Vertigo species here new to Thásos, including V. angustior and V. moulinsiana. Both of these Vertigo species are rare throughout Europe and are included on Annex II of the EC Habitats & Species Directive. Conservation measures (presumably including the notification of a Special Area of Conservation) are urgently required before this site is irreparably damaged by the tipping of marble quarry spoil.  One site whose future is guaranteed because of its past is the Agora in Thassos Town. Loose-flowered orchids Orchis laxiflora are common amongst the lush damp grassland around the ruins and water flows throughout the year in the narrow ditches that cross the floor. Municipal necessities dictate that the grassland is mown frequently but if you are fortunate to visit just before cutting then the lushness and diversity is striking by comparison with the parched pastures so typical of the island in summer.

On the north-east coast of the island, seaward of the road between Rachoni and Prinos, the surviving wet grasslands appear to be impoverished and most consist of rather dry, sparse reedbeds. Ditch systems within the reeds north of Prinos are said to contain eels but further wildlife surveys would be welcome here to determine how much of interest remains. One example behind the beach at Cap Prinos is extensive but somewhat degraded.

The only substantial water body on the island is Genna Lake (Fragma Marion), up in the mountains behind Maries. This is a reservoir and does not have well-developed wetland vegetation on its margins, merely a narrow band of reedmace Typha sp. along its southern margin.  However, as the only site of its kind on the island it presumably supports a number of restricted species. There is a small permanent pool (seemingly artificial) at the back of the beach at Skala Potamia which is over-shaded by willows and contains stands of sedge. Other still water bodies are scarce and temporary, though at both Skala Potamia and Potos, where rivers meet the beach, there are small pools and reedbeds which persist throughout the summer. Shallow pools do occur around the coastal fringe in scattered localities, filled with frogspawn in Spring, but these dry up in early summer and become inconspicuous.

Whilst there are several major river valleys draining off the mountains, particularly in the south, they tend to dry out to dusty river beds by summer. The Dipotamos river, east of Potos, is the most permanent (as far as I know) and has sandy margins and reed-fringed banks. It supports dragonflies, such as the club-tailed dragonfly Onychogomphus forcipatus, and has gravel shoals with typical beetle communities. Higher in the mountains there are permanent springs and streams, whilst favoured locations in the forests have sheltered glades which can be a haven for wildlife, with birds and butterflies drinking at the stream edges and a variety of dragonflies hawking for prey.

Most Mediterranean wildlife is, of course, adapted to cope with summer drought but wetlands everywhere attract a concentration of interesting species. The relative scarcity of wetland habitats on Thásos makes each and every one particularly valuable and their presence should be respected and conserved. It would be a worthwhile venture for any visiting naturalists to document and map their occurrence.