Wetland Vegetation As Affected By Water Regime Of Two Coastal Marshes

Among the very few wetlands remaining in Halkidiki, Northern Greece, are the natural coastal marshes known as Gerani and Stavronikita in Nea Fokaia. In order to drain these wetlands a drainage system was established in 1971. The system operated for 20 years in Gerani and 28 years in Stavronikita. The most important changes in the wetland vegetation were studied in both marshes during the period 1997 to 2000. In Gerani marsh as the water regime did not change drastically during the studied period, no marked vegetation changes were observed. In Stavronikita marked changes in the wetland flora distribution were observed from 1997 until 2000. The most significant changes were: a) The halophyte area was decreased, b) The Horakum maritimum was transloeated to the marsh periphery and c) The Typha sp. vegetation area increased at the expense of Scirpus locustrh, Vailisneria spirallis and Chara sp.