WETLAND OF NEA KOUTALI (DIAPORIOU)
There are ecosystems in Lemnos, that show a great interest. Consist of biotopes like brushwood areas, petrified forests, agricultural areas, wetlands. Municipality of Nea Koutali has the wetland of Diaporou of 500 acres extend, S.W. of the island at the background of Kontia bay and inside the administrative bounds of the Municipal Department of Kontia.
A part of the wetland is swampy with bulrush (typical plants of the biotopes close to lakes) while other parts are steady. The part that is close to the sea is flooded with sea water during winter. The wetland shows rich fowl-fauna and insect fauna dye to the swampy character of the biotope. Fowl-fauna consist of seagulls, widgeon, swans and flamingos. Surrounded by agricultural areas. Concludes to a long sandy beach with deep waters, close to a small port.
ALIKI & CHORTAROLIMNI LAKES
The lakes Akili and Chortarolimni are at the east side of Lemnos island, along the coast and very close. The surface of the two lakes is 600 and 230 ha, correspondingly. Between these two lakes there is a smaller one (Asprolimni, of 42 ha extend).
The access to the lakes is made through a dirt road, from the main road that connects the communities Roussopouli, Romano, Kalliopi and Kontopouli with the residential centre of Moudros.
Accessibility to the wetland is hard during the rainfalls. Aliki is covered during the year with sea water, while Chortarolimni lacks water during the year. When there is no water Aliki and Chortarolimni create an extended salt surface.
On the salt surface there are halophytes and harmirithres (kinds Salicornia and Arthrocnemum).
Outside the salt surface we see bulrush (Juncus sp.), briars (Erica sp.), firewood (Cistus sp.), Sarcopoterium spinosum, Euphorbia sp. Generally the area has low vegetation. You can also see olive trees (Olea europaea), osiers (Vitex agnus-castus), jujube trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia), figs (Ficus carica) and oak trees (Quercus macrolepis).
There are some areas with reeds (Phragmites australis) and canes (Arundo donax). You have to mention the absence of kinds like Limonium and the existance of kinds like Tamarix and Erica.
From the elements that we have we can say that Aliki and Chortarolimni preserve a great number of rare and endangered species that are protected from international contracts or from Greek legislation.
Geographic position of the area is of great importance for some emigrational birds that use the area as an intermediate rest station.
Fauna is enhanced with many important species of invertebrate. The previous references prove the importance of the area.