ECODEVELOPMENT IN PRESPA NATIONAL PARK, GREECE (ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION)

Prespa National Park, in extreme northwestern Greece, was established in 1974 in order to preserve unique natural features, vegetation and wildlife.; The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether conflicts existed between park-land use operations and the preservation of several nearly extinct bird species which breed in the park. The complete dedication of the Prespa National park to nature protection conflicts strongly with the interest of the 1000 people who now reside within its boundaries. For the park to meet its objectives and to contribute to human needs, improved regulation and management seems necessary.; Biophysical features, including flora, fauna and the lakes themselves, as well as the legal status of the park, were examined. Patterns of land use and vegetative change were evaluated by preparing maps from aerial images of 1945 and 1969-1970 (updated to 1984 through ground-truth appraisals). The conservation implications of changes in land use indicated that there is an accelerating concentration of human activities in the wetlands which have been officially defined as the nucleus of the park.; The use of park biotopes by the 12 rare/or endangered waterbird species was evaluated in order to appraise their conservation potential and ecological values of these habitats. Eight sampling sites were established. Measurements of the abundance, species diversity and species richness of birds in these breeding and feeding/resting areas were made. Important environmental factors such as water level fluctuation and human impacts on the birds were assessed. It was determined that the wet meadows were of critical significance as feeding/resting grounds for all waterbirds during the nesting period.; Conflicts between bird habitats and land use in the national park were analyzed. Movements of bird populations and shifts in nesting locations due to human disturbance were documented. Drainage, agricultural activities and intrusions of local residents into the wet meadows were found to be the main factors which limit the abundance of waterbird species in the park.; Management suggestions are given which integrate conservation into development processes and enhance both nature protection and human culture in Prespa National Park.