Gizani Information and Conservation Centre - Public Access Lands on Waymarking.com

A small dam was constructed in Fassouli, to collect water from the springs for irrigation. The gizani information and conservation centre in Psinthos was constructed close to this dam. The centre includes an information kiosk, housing printed informative material and an info-point with the gizani multimedia presentation. Moreover, a small artificial pool was constructed that has a subterranean corridor on one side. The corridor has two windows, through which visitors can observe the inside of the pool and the gizani that live there. These fish form a stock that originates from the Pelemonis stream population, which is very small and critically endangered by abstraction of water. Pelemonis stream is located at the eastern part of the island, near the city of Rhodes, at the Afandou area. The local stream in Psinthos area is a tributary of Pelemonis. The latter dries up almost completely at the end of summer due to over-abstraction of water. Therefore, at the end of the dry season, most of the gizani fish that live in Pelemonis are found in the area of Psinthos, in a water reservoir formed by a small dam. Near this dam the information centre is located . Ladigesocypris ghigii* (Pisces, Cyprinidae), commonly called gizani, is a small freshwater fish, endemic to the Greek island of Rhodes. It owes both its common and scientific name to the Italian professor Alessandro Ghigi, who first discovered it on Rhodes at the beginning of the 20th century. Gizani is a Lilliputian champion of survival, since it manages to live in the extremely unstable environment of the streams of Rhodes, which may flood during winter, but they dry up for most of their length during the dry season. Gizani is a small-bodied cyprinid. It usually lives up to three years. It reaches a maximum length of 10-12 centimetres, but most fish found in the wild are 3-5 cm long. It weighs only a few grams. Its colour is silvery grey, darker at the back and lighter at the abdomen. The fish is very tolerant to low winter water temperatures (~10 °C), as well as high summer (~30 °C) temperature conditions. It prefers slow running waters and usually hides near the banks, under rocks or roots of plants, or amongst algae. Gizani is one of the most endangered freshwater fish of Europe, since one of its populations has recently become extinct (at lake Nani), and most of the remaining populations exhibit persistent declining tendencies. www.life-gizani.gr Please park your car near the Greek Taverna Kamari at N36°18.688 E28°5.780 on the public parking lot!

Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): The Valley is several hectares big Is there a trail system?: Yes If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.: You can follow the creek for 3 Kilometers What points of interest are there?: There is the Information center with an Information building with an aquarium an a pond . What activities are available?: There are benches and tables for picknic and a trail for hiking Hours of accessibility?: 24 h / 7 d List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.): non Dogs Allowed?: Yes Is a permit/fee required?: No Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link] If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   11/21/2010 GATOULIS visited it