Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International 6(3): 1-14, 2016; Article no.JGEESI.26760 ISSN: 2454-7352 SCIENCEDOMAIN international www.sciencedomain.org Multiple Anthropogenic Pressures and Interventions and Environmental Management of Some Wetlands in Phthiotis (Central Greece) Mertzanis Αristeidis 1* and Mertzani Asimina 2 1Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment, Technological Educational Institute of Central Greece, GR- 36100, Karpenisi, Greece. 2National Technical University (NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Zografou Campus, Heroon Polytechniou 9, GR-15780, Zografou, Greece. Authors’ contributions This manuscript was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Author M. Αristeidis designed the study, performed the main anthropogenic pressures and interventions in recent decades in the aquatic resources and sensitive ecosystems in Phthiotis Prefecture and evaluate the impact-changes on the natural environment of the research areas. Authors M. Αristeidis and M. Asimina elaborated the literature searches, the data of maps, aerial photographs, satellite images and the “in situ’ observations and proceeded to comparative observations on the changes has been the natural environment in the under study areas. Also authors M. Αristeidis and M. Asimina elaborated: a. the environmental management of aquatic resources and delicate ecosystems under study and b. the ecological restoration proposals and monitoring. Authors M. Αristeidis and M. Asimina wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/JGEESI/2016/26760 Editor(s): (1) Dong Chen, Department of Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, USA. Reviewers: (1) Abida Begum, PESIT- Bangalore, India. (2) Leandro Schlemmer, Federal University of Pará, Brazil. (3) R. Praveen Sam, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur, India. Complete Peer review History: http://sciencedomain.org/review-history/15097 Received 30 th April 2016 Accepted 14 th June 2016 Original Research Article st Published 21 June 2016 ABSTRACT Freshwater springs and natural hot-water springs, alpine, subalpine lakes and the Mediterranean temporary ponds in Mt Oiti and Mt Kallidromos, coastal lakes, lagoons and marshes in the coastal zones of Maliakos gulf, and the protected wetlands that exist in the area of River Spercheios valley _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]; Αristeidis and Asimina; JGEESI, 6(3): 1-14, 2016; Article no.JGEESI.26760 and delta, included among the aquatic resources and sensitive ecosystems of Phthiotis Prefecture. The purpose of the present research is to highlight the main anthropogenic pressures and interventions in recent decades in the aquatic resources and sensitive ecosystems, evaluate the impact-changes on the natural environment of the research areas, and to propose some ecological restoration proposals and monitoring. For the depiction of the environmental situation and for the assessment of the environmental impact caused by certain anthropogenic interventions on the aquatic resources and sensitive ecosystems of Phthiotis Prefecture, involved a series of different stages: the study of bibliographical references, systematic in situ observations (field-work), measurements using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signals, observation and direct digitizing on the basis of different aged aerial photos and satellite images (Landsat, Google Earth). The “in situ” observations were conducted, at least, every 5 years during the months of April, July, October and January for the years 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, in selected places of each aquatic resource and sensitive ecosystem under study. Data were analyzed quantitative and qualitative, while apposite thematic checklists and tables were created. The environmental destabilization of most of the wetlands in the area under study, is mainly caused by certain anthropogenic pressures and interventions which alter “critical” parameters of the environment, leading to wetland alteration or degradation and have a significant impact/changes on: a. Flora and local natural ecosystems, b. Landscape, c. Surface and underground waters and c. Geomorphology. Keywords: Environment; Fthiotis; geomorphology; lagoons; lakes; ponds; springs; wetlands. 1. INTRODUCTION quality. Greece has lost two thirds of its wetlands during the last seventy five years; however, The intensification of multiple anthropogenic many wetlands with considerable conservation pressures and interventions in recent decades in value remained [1-7]. Coastal zones are among the deltas and in the drainage basin of some the most densely populated ecosystems in which rivers and streams in Phthiotis Prefecture has are evident abuse and pollution [8]. The mid - affected the aquatic resources such as lakes, 1950s to the mid- 1970s were a time of major temporary ponds, springs, lagoons, especially national wetland loss. Since 1950, extensive degrading sensitive wetland habitats (Figs. 1, 2, losses have occurred, many of the 16 and 17). original wetlands have been drained and converted to other uses, such as farmland, Freshwater wetlands around the Mediterranean industrial sittings, urban and touristic Sea have decreased considerably in number and development [9]. Figs. 1 and 2. View of Atalanti lagoon (12 PhthiWETL) near Scala and Tragana. Anthropogenic pressures and interventions in the lagoon (roads, industries, opencast mining-quarries, intensive agriculture and settlements) create a significant impact on the natural environment of the wetland (Photos by Mertzani Asimina) 2 Αristeidis and Asimina; JGEESI, 6(3): 1-14, 2016; Article no.JGEESI.26760 According [4], efforts to improve land, in order to concerning the coastal and inland plains, lakes, make it more productive for agriculture, have deltas and coastal wetlands are also detected. been undertaken since antiquity. Homer, Hesiod Sprawling urban areas are also located in and and Strabo mention drainage works in the near the lowland plain of the Spercheios delta, Copais wetlands (Homer, Hesiod), while Philip of including the conurbation of Lamia [2]. Macedonia was said to have constructed the tunnel of Angilos to drain the Filippi marshes The timely and accurate information regarding North of Kavala [10]. Similar works were carried multiple stressors causing deterioration on out by the Romans. All of these were abandoned aquatic resources and sensitive ecosystems, the during the Turkish occupation (1453-1829) and proper environmental impact assessment and many of the drained wetlands returned to their the systematic monitoring can provide important former status. After the liberation, drainage works input to managing and mitigating the negative started again with Copais lake in 1880 [10]. effects of human land management and Drainage was intensified during the period 1925 freshwater ecosystems and sensitive wetland to 1940, due mainly to the need to establish the habitats. refugee farmers from Asia Minor. In 15 years, besides Copais, the lakes Yannitsa, Artzan, The main objectives of this paper are: a) to Amatova and Achinos were drained, as well as highlight the multiple stressors and manmade the marshes of Loudias and Filippi, while the interventions in recent decades in the aquatic river beds of Axios, Aliakmon and Strymon in resources and sensitive ecosystems of Phthiotis Macedonia, and Louros and Arachthos in Prefecture, b) to evaluate the impact-changes on western Greece were rearranged [4]. Major the natural environment of the research areas drainage works were carried out in Thessalia [11- such as wetland ecosystems, lakes, temporary 13]. According to estimates made by the Ministry ponds, lagoons, marshes, freshwater and of Agriculture, these works resulted in the thermal spring and c) to describe a strategy for drainage of 89,900 ha of wetlands, the irrigation the mitigation of the manmade eco- of 14,000 ha and the protection from floods of environmental impact, in order to propose 369,000 ha. Thus the total loss of wetlands, improvements over the sustainable management including periodically flooded areas, was truly of the aquatic resources and sensitive enormous [4]. ecosystems of Phthiotis Prefecture. Finally, proposals are made regarding ecological After the War and during the period 1948-1958, restoration and monitoring. land “improvement” works were boosted by U.S. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS aid and better technology [4]. Within that decade, diversion dams were erected on Acheloos, 2.1 Geographical Location of the Study Tavropos, Aliakmon and Axios Rivers, while Area three drainage tunnels were constructed (Karla in Thessaly, destroying the invaluable Karla Lake, This paper deals with the aquatic resources and Lapsista and Langasta in Ipiros) [4]. The Xyniada sensitive wetland ecosystems, i.e. the lakes, lake near Domokos, drained in 1942. From 1960 freshwater springs and natural hot-water springs, onwards, land reclamation by draining wetlands coastal lakes, lagoons and marshes that exist in was carried out in all parts of the Country, but on Phthiotis Prefecture in Central Greece. Most of a smaller scale, as seen, for example, along these aquatic resources and sensitive wetlands, lakes Prespa and Vistonis, and in Amvrakikos have suffered serious alterations from the and Evros [10,4]. manmade