LIFE: Conservation management of an Island SPA

Project background

Tilos, situated between Kos and Rhodes, is one of the smallest islands of the Dodecanese (63 km2). Due to the island’s large variety of habitats, which include rocky islets, relic woodland, a number of small but abandoned springs, natural and human-made grasslands, the island supports a variety of rare and protected bird species.Tilos is very important for the two raptor species Hieraaetus fasciatus and Falco eleonorae, and important for the shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii. During the last decades Tilos’ natural environment has changed due to anthropogenic influences such as tourism development, land-use changes and other small infrastructure development. All these are threatening the island’s traditional agricultural landscapes, its biodiversity and consequently its important avifauna.

Project objectives

This LIFE project aims setting a basis for the SPA management of Tilos, by implementing management measures for Bonelli’s Eagle, Eleonora’s Falcon and Shag. The project will set up an effective surveillance of the breeding populations of the 3 target species, in order to increase/maintain their breeding success. In addition, the increase of prey availability for the two raptors will be targeted via the enhancement/maintenance of invertebrates (insects), bird (partridges), reptile (lizards) and (micro)mammal populations. As regards public information activities, awareness raising about the conservation value of the site by users and visitors is expected through the provision of leaflets and other information material concerning the project, the operation of an information centre, the provision of guided tours, the organisation of a voluntary scheme for surveillance and eco-guiding, control of visitor pressure etc.Further project objectives are upgrading the capacity of the local Services for environmental management, and enhancing the collaboration among local, regional and central authorities for future projects (elaborating proposals for future management of the species targeted and proposals for boosting traditional farming).