Gialova Lagoon





		Photo by Robin Gräber
Gialova lagoon, just a short walk away along the beach from Hotel Zoe, is a brackish water wetland. Both seawater and freshwater, from the rivers Tiphiomitis and Xerolangado, enter the lagoon. During the 50’s attempts were made to drain it, as was the general policy at the time for all wetlands, but thanks to the abundance of underground water the plans failed. Perfect example of the mistakes of the recent past, its size was reduced by 1/3 and its ecosystem damaged by canals, ditches and roads. These interventions altered the natural course of the rivers and reduced its productivity. Nature, however, resists and (although on a smaller scale) it remains a rich ecosystem, giving refuge to many wonderful inhabitants.

		Gialova is the only habitat for the African Chameleon in Europe. Click here to read more about this wonderful and unique animal. Photo by Robin Gräber
Ecosystems of Gialova Wetland A wetland is a complex of smaller habitats, each characterized by water and subsoil interaction, resulting in differentiated plant community ranges. A remarkable variety of strongly interdependent organisms develop. The lagoon The main lagoon is mostly inundated by the sea. Thus salt resistant animal and plant life prevail and are preyed upon by certain species of fish and birds. It is a feeding place for ducks, coots, cormorants, ferns, herons, ospreys and flamingoes. The marsh and reed beds Freshwater flows into the marsh from the river Tiphiomitis. Freshwater species (or partly so, such as eel) find refuge in this habitat. The reed beds are a crucial breeding and feeding place for neonate fish. Many species of birds nest in the reeds (such as the little bittern) as the reed beds are undisturbed by humans and inaccessible to most predators. The marsh is also a favourite foraging ground for glossy ibises, grebes, marsh harriers and black-winged stilts which breed on the islets.