Eureka! Institutional Repository

Volvi is the largest lake in Macedonia, the second largest in Greece, being one of the largest natural lakes in. it is tectonic origin lake and has been characterized as mesotrophic. The area of lake because of its high ecological value, has been designated a Wetland protected by Ramsar Convention, is a Special Protected Area, Wildlife Refuge, National Park and has been integrated into Ecological Network “Natura 2000”. It hosts a rich biodiversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, terrestrial flora, aquatic macrophytes, zooplankton, macrobenthos and aquatic animals. Three of the lake's fish are unique to the world, the endemic to the bulb Alosa macedonica, , Chalchalburnus chalchoides and Leusiscus cephalus which are endemic subspecies. The once natural lake fish habitat has been altered by human interventions such as enrichment, voluntary or accidental dumping of fish, intensified agri-livelihood activities, expansion of the urban area and installations in the wider craft and industries sector affecting more or less the ecosystem. environment with additional nutrients and toxic substances resulting in unpleasant situations for aquatic life and its environment. Drastic measures should be taken to safeguard the lake's biodiversity.