Dadia Forest
The Dadia Forest is a large area of natural woodland in the Evros regional unit in northeastern Greece. The forest consists mostly of oak and pine. It is one of the most important areas in Europe for birds of prey, and the only forest in Europe where all four European species of vulture can be seen. It is a fully managed protected area of 7,290 hectares (18,000 acres) and is visited by about 35,000 people each year.
History
2023 wildfire
The major wildfire of August 2023 burned around 73.000 hectares (730 square kilometers) near Alexandroupolis, mostly in the Dadia Forest, leaving 18 people dead. This fire lasted 17 days and was stated to be "the largest recorded in the EU" up to 2023 by EU officials.[1][2] The fire burned just over 50% of the Dadia Forest and it is estimated the burnt areas will take 10 years to show signs of recovery and up to 80 years to return to its original state.[3]
Geography
The forest is located in northeastern Greece, to the northeast of
Flora
The dominant trees in Dadia Forest are
Fauna
About 36 species of
Visitor information
The forest is a fully managed protected area and is visited by about 35,000 visitors each year. These bring economic benefits to the village of Dadia and to the wider area.[8] Other facilities include an Ecotourism Centre, an information centre, and a coffee shop and restaurant.[7] Cars are not permitted, but minibus ecotours are organised, and visitors can follow the trails on foot.[9] There is a hostel near Dadia and various tracks through the forest. Carcases are put out each day to help feed the vultures and other raptors and provide a spectacle for visitors, who can watch from a hide some 600 m (2,000 ft) away.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Firefighters in Greece struggle to control wildfires, including the EU's largest blaze". AP News. 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ "Firefighters in Greece Are Struggling to Battle The E.U.'s Biggest Wildfire Ever Recorded". Time. 2023-08-24. Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ Αργύρης (2023-09-05). "Δάσος Δαδιάς: πως έσβησε η φωτιά και τι άφησε πίσω της". ECOPRESS (in Greek). Retrieved 2023-12-04.
- ISBN 0-540-05831-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-850437-5.
- ^ "All Europe's vultures under sudden new threat". Rewilding Europe. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Dadia Forest". Visit Greece. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ^ "Έβρος" (in Greek). WWF. Archived from the original on 2011-12-18. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
- ^ "Dadia Forest". Greece travel secrets. Retrieved 27 April 2019.