In the Southeastern part of Samos, at the community periphery of Paleokastro village, is a small (150 acres), but special environmental importance, wetland of Alyki (= saltworks, Αλυκή in Greek), with rich and rare biodiversity, unusual for the Aegean islands. From antiquity (probably) and until 1965, the wetland basin was used as a saltworks area for salt production. After saltworks abandonment, nature immediate showed signs of regeneration, and was turn saltworks area into a rich wetland. During winter months (~November ~April), the clay soil of the basin substrate, retains the water and creating a shallow lake, with surface 150 acres and maximum depth about 70 cm. During this period it hosts a large population of migratory birds, and other endemic animals, thus enriching the biodiversity of the wider habitat. During summer months (~May ~October), the water evaporates, the lake dries up, and the biodiversity of the habitat is degraded, eagerly awaiting its new life cycle. The large population and the variety of migratory birds, owe significantly to the geographical location of Alyki, which located between two important wetlands on the coasts of Asia Minor. Southeast the estuary of Meander river, at distance 23 km and north the estuary of Cayster […]