The floating mire of Voulkaria lake (Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania


Published: Jan 1, 2001
Keywords:
Floating mire floating islands peat Greece
Α. ΜΠΟΥΖΙΝΟΣ
Σ. ΠΑΠΑΖΗΣΙΜΟΥ
Κ. ΧΡΗΣΤΑΝΗΣ
Π. Κ. ΤΖΕΔΑΚΗΣ
Abstract

The 940-ha-large Voulkaria lake is located in a Quaternary graben at the northwestern edge of Aitoloakarnania province, Western Greece. It is a shallow lake with a maximum depth of 2.5 m. A small fen forms at the southern shore of the lake. Neogene sediments (marls, sandstones and conglomerates) and alluvial deposits form the northwestern and southeastern parts of the graben, while red soils (terra rossa) cover the northern part. Helophytes thrive along the shore of the lake. The dominant species are Phragmites australis, Scirpus lacustris, Cladium mariscus, Typha spp., Salix spp. Helophytic vegetation also grows on a floating mat which consists of aquatic plants and roots of some helophytes. Peat displays a homogenous matrix. The degree of humification after von Post ranges between 7-8. The peat contains mainly fine roots, epidermic fragments of Phragmites australis, fruits and seeds from Cladium mariscus, Carex spp. and woody tissues of Salix spp. Moisture and ash contents lie between 56-82% and 37-63%, respectively. Palynomorphs of upland and helophytic vegetation were recognized in the sediments. Radiocarbon dating suggests that peat accumulation started some 1450 years ago. The floating mire of Voulkaria lake is one of the most important wetlands of Amvrakikos Gulf. It consists a unique ecosystem in our country, the conservation of which should be of high priority because of its ecological value.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Neotectonics and Geomorphology
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
BERGLUND, Â. À. & RALSKA-JASIEWICZOWA, Μ. 1986. Pollen analysis and pollen diagrams. In Berglund, B. E. (ed.), Handbook of Holocene Palaeoecology and Palaeohydrology, 455-484 (Wiley Chichester).
BOTCH, S. M. & MASING, V. V. 1983. Mires ecosystem in the U.S.S.R. In Gore A. J. P. (ed.), Ecosystem of the world 4B, Mire: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor. Regional studies, 95-152 (Elsevier Amsterdam).
BOTIS, Α., BOUZINOS, A. & CHRISTANIS, Κ. 1993. The geology and palaeoecology of the Kalodiki peatland, western Greece. Int. Peat Journal 5, 25-34.
BP, British Petroleum Co Ltd. 1971. The geological results of Petroleum exploration in western Greece. Ειδικές μελέτες επί της Γεωλογίας της Ελλάδας, No 10, 73 σελ. (Ι.Γ.Ε.Υ. Αθήνα).
CAMERON, C. C, ESTERLE, J. S. & PALMER, C. A. 1989. The geology, botany and chemistry of selected peat-forming environments from temperate and tropical latitudes. Int. J. Coal Geol. 12, 105-156.
CHRISTANIS, Κ. 1983. Ein Torf erzählt die Geschichte seines Moores. Telma 13, 19-32.
CHRISTANIS, K. 1992. Rezente Torfbildung im Verlandungsgürtel griechischer Seen: Das Beispiel des Klein- Prespa-Niedermoores. Telma 22, 27-35.
CHRISTANIS, K. 1994. The genesis of the Nissi peatland (NW Greece), as an example of peat and lignite deposit formation in Greece. Int. J. Coal Geol. 26, 63-77.
DAFIS, S., PAPASTERGIADOU, E., GEORGHIOU, K., BABALONAS, D., GEORGIADIS, T., PAPAGEORGIOU, M., LAZARIDOU, T. & TSIAOUSSI, V. 1996. Directive 92/43/EEC THE GREEK "HABITAT" PROJECT NATURA 2000: AN OVERVIEW, 893 pp. (Greek Biotope/Wetland Center Thessaloniki).
GÖTTLICH, Κ. Η. 1990. Moor- und Torfkunde, 3. Aufl., 529 S. (Schweizerbart Stuttgart).
HOFSTETTER, R. H. 1983. Wetland in the United States. In Gore, A. J. P. (ed.) Ecosystem of the world 4B, Mire: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor. Regional studies, 201-244 (Elsevier Amsterdam).
JUNK, W. J. 1983. Ecology of swamps on the Middle Amazon. In Gore, A. J. P. (ed.) Ecosystem of the world 4B, Mire: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor. Regional studies, 269-293 (Elsevier Amsterdam).
ΚΟΥΜΠΛΗ-ΣΟΒΑΝΤΖΗ, A. 1983. Ερευνες erta Τραχειόφντα των λιμνών και άλλων υδροβιοτόπων της Αιτωλοακαρνανίας. Διδακτορική διατριβή, Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, σελ. 346.
ΛΕΟΝΤΑΡΗΣ, Ν.Σ. 1972. Γεωλογικοί και μορφολογικοί έρευναι επί της περιοχής της λίμνης Βουλκαρίας. Αελτ. EU. Γεωλ. Εταιρ. 9,2, 286-303.
McCABE, J. P. 1984. Depositional environments of coal and coal-bearing strata. In Rahmani, R. A. & Flores, R. M. (eds), Sedimentology of coal and coal-bearing sequences. Int. Ass. ofSedim., Special Publication 7, 13-42.
PAPAZISIMOU, S., BOUZINOS, Α., CHRISTANIS, Κ. & TZEDAKIS, P. C. 2000. Geological study of the asphalt fen of Keri, Zakynthos island, Hellas. Proc. 11th Int. Peat Congress (Québec, 6-12.8.2000), vol 1, 58-69.
SCHNEEKLOTH, H. 1981. Kartierung von Mooren. In Bender, E (Hrsg.) Angewandte Geowissenschaften 1, 35- 37 (Enke Stuttgart).
SJÖRS, H. 1983. Mires of Sweden. In Gore, A. J. P. (ed.), Ecosystem of the world 4B, Mire: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor. Regional studies, 69-93 (Elsevier Amsterdam).
STUIVER, M. & BECKER, B. 1993. High-precision decadal calibration of the radiocarbon time scale, AD 1960-6000 BC. Radiocarbon 35, 35-65.
THOMPSON, K., 1976. Swamp development in the headwaters of White Nile. In Rzóska, J. (ed.), The Nile, biology of an Ancient River. Monographiae Biologicae 29, 177-196 (Junk The Hague).
TYLER, A. P. 1976. Lagoon of Islands for a unique ecosystem. Biol. Conservation 9, 1-11.
Most read articles by the same author(s)