Brauron – Coastal Marine Zone (GR3000004)

It includes a protected area of 2711.52 hectares, which is characterized by: 1) extensive vineyard cultivations, 2) coniferous woodland in a good condition, 3) maquis and phrygana affected by local grazing, 4) a wetland habitat type even though it is restricted, with the Phragmites australis, Juncus sp. and Arudo donax being important for its structure, 5) the protected archaeological site near the wetland, 6) a non-well balanced sea bottom, with the species Cymodocea nodosa, Posidonia oceanica, Zostera nolti being important for its ecological balance, 7) restricted building activities. The quality and importance of the Brauron (also known as Vravron, Vravrona) area is indicated by the following characteristics: 1) the variety of sufficiently conserved habitat types within a relatively small area, 2) the archaeological site that features the temple of Artemis near the wetland acts as a barrier for extensive human activities since it has got a protection status, 3) the position of the site, nearby Athens (40 Km), 4) the importance of the wetland as refugee for many bird species, 5) the traditional vineyard cultivations (since 500 B.C.), which prohibit extensive and intensive industrial use, 6) the general appearance of the area that has not really changed since the Antiquity. The species that are protected according to the EU Habitats and Birds directives. Species: 7 Pelasgus marathonicus fish and 6 reptiles. The Green turtle Chelonia mydas, the European lake terrapin Emys orbicularis, Mauremys rivulata, the Hermann's Mediterranean tortoise, the Hermann's tortoise, the Mediterranean spur-tailed tortoise, Testudo hermanni, Marginalized turtle Testudo marginata, Zamenis situla. Habitats: 15 8 Coastal habitats and salt tolerant, 1 Coastal and inland dunes, 1 Fresh water, 2 Sclerophyllous scrub, 3 Forests.