MOUSTOS WETLAND THE OASIS OF PARNONAS

Text and research by Nikos Aivalis, translation by Eva Trombetas

One of the most important habitats of Greece, but also of international importance, is found in Arcadia and specifically in the wetland of Moustos, in mount Parnonas. A true paradise of flora and fauna, but also of natural beauty, which is institutionalized as the Ecological Park of Parnonas - Moustos and has been included in the European Network Natura 2000 as a protected area. The wetland is located a few kilometers away from Astros, southeast near the area of Agios Andreas.

It is said that there was the old port of Astros from where the must was loaded, hence the name of the lake (moustos = must), since the area was famous for its vineyards. The wetland of must formerly had an area of 2500 acres, but the expansion of crops limited its area to 1500 acres. The wetland includes two main lakes, whose depth does not exceed 5 meters, the lake of Moustos and the lake of Heronisi. It is connected with the sea by two artificial canals, which were the work of a Bavarian engineer of Otto in order to desiccate a part of the lake, because the inhabitants of the surrounding villages suffered from malaria.

Moustos wetland

In the surrounding area of Moustos we find unique destinations, old monasteries, ancient monuments, picturesque villages and beautiful natural landscapes. Very important points are the forest areas with pinus nigra located within the Protected Area of Moustos. Also of great importance is the only forest in Europe of juniperus drupacea trees in the Monastery of Malevi, which has been declared a preserved monument of nature and is protected by the Natura 2000 Network. The Holy Monastery of Malevi is a historical monastery dedicated to the assumption of the Virgin, in the area of Malevos of Parnonas. The monastery was founded in the 8th century AD. Also excellent are the chestnut forests in Kastanitsa, a beautiful mountain village built in Parnonas at an altitude of 840 meters. Kastanitsa belongs to Tsakonochoria and has been declared a traditional settlement. Also a beautiful destination is the gorge of Lepida with its imposing waterfalls.

juniperus drupacea forest in the Monastery of Malevi

The wetland is home for important and rare species of flora and fauna, while some of the habitats found there are unique in Europe. In the surrounding area of Moustos and Parnonas, more than 1000 species of flora have been recorded. As mentioned above we meet the great juniperus drupacea, the chestnut and the pinus nigra. Other species we find are the abies cephalonica, as well as plane trees, oaks, carob trees, cherry trees, walnut and fig trees, while in abundance on the mountain we will find tea and mushrooms. In the lake we will find reeds, rushes and salicornia europaea. There are also 16 endemic species of flora of the region, such as the agriopanses of Parnonas, the asperula of Malevos, the astragalus of Agraniotis, the laconic Centauri, the Centauri of Parnonas and others.

avifauna of Moustos

The fauna of the area is dominated by avifauna which is very rich. The wetland is a feeding and rest station for many species, with over 200 species in the lake and Parnonas recorded. In the most mountainous areas we find the very rare golden eagle, booted eagles, blackbirds, tawny olws, alpine chough, sparrowhawks, thrush birds, wood pigeons, while in the lake common coots, swans, kingfishers, little grebes, herons, wild ducks, cormorants, pallid harriers and western marsh harriers. The mammals of the area are foxes, badgers, ferrets, weasels, hedgehogs, hares, rodents as well as jackals that unfortunately tend to become extinct. In the region, however, in earlier years, there have been recorded and larger mammals that have now disappeared, such as bears, wolves, deers, wildcats and even lynxes. In reptile fauna and amphibians there are 30 recorded species, such as frogs, toads, endemic lizards moraitosaurus, gustera and graicosaurus, the endemic ophiomoros, as well as ratsnakes, smooth snakes, vipers and many species of turtles. Finally, the fish fauna of the area is equally important, with the very rare fish species, aphanius almiriensis living there. A small rare fish, which internationally is characterized as "critically endangered" and exists only in the brackish waters of Moustos. Other species are smelts, mullets, european bass and eels.

wetland Moustos

We suggest to everyone, to visit this exertically valuable and beautiful area and enjoy the nature that the place so generously offers.