PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Increasing urbanisation and industrialisation have altered or destroyed many coastal habitats. In Greece as elsewhere in Europe, the main threats to coastal lagoons, dunes and seagrass beds are eutrophication, disruption of the sedimentation/erosion balance along the coast, and direct destruction from human activities such as modification of the coastline, boat trawling and anchoring. The degradation and disappearance of coastal habitats also causes problems for associated flora and fauna species. Habitats Directive (Annex 1) habitat type, Posidonia beds (Posidonia oceanica) have been particularly affected by physical damage, deteriorating water quality and sedimentation. For example, it is estimated that as much as 46% of underwater meadows in the Mediterranean has experienced some reduction in range, density and/or coverage, while 20% has severely regressed since the 1970’s.
The Epanomi and Aggelochori lagoons (project areas) are part of the Natura 2000 network of sites. Situated in areas to the east side of Thessaloniki city, they and are particularly important as they include a large number of priority/ important seabird species and Posidonia beds.
Prior to the project, the Epanomi lagoon had lost hydrological function through drainage and canalisation. This had limited the hydro period (i.e. the seasonal pattern of the water level) and modified the wetland habitat structure and composition. Another problem was that there was no management body and/or management plans in place to protect the rare European seabird species found there – in particular their preferred breeding and resting areas.
Other threats to both lagoon areas were from uncontrolled tourism and leisure activities, as well as public lack of knowledge about the ecological value of this marine coastal zone.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of ACCOLAGOONS were to:
Specific objectives were to:
A telemetry data centre would receive, process and send station measurements. Further objectives targeted the effective management of visitor activities and the raising of environmental and educational awareness.
RESULTS
In spite of difficulties and delays, most of the project’s planned actions were implemented. A main result was the delivery of management plans for the Posidonia beds and other important European coastal habitats, and for the breeding and resting habitats of priority and/or important EU seabird species. A visitor management plan was also produced. These documents were submitted to the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy for consideration under proposed integrated management plans for the two sites. Another key result was the mapping of the Posidonia beds and the identification of expanded habitat limits. Additionally, for the first time in the project sites, another Annex 1 habitat type, Reefs (1170), was identified in the project areas. Plans for the restoration of the Epanomi lagoon functions and the technical specifications to implement restoration were also developed and demonstrated. In addition, eight Posidonia-friendly moorings were installed, after a long procedure (for granting of permits for their installation). As well as the establishment of the Posidonia- friendly moorings, the project demonstrated two innovative monitoring systems: a water quality monitoring system, which includes a network of (four) telemetry stations and complementary seasonal sampling for the measurement for abiotic and biotic parameters; and a system for monitoring of the marine habitat types, which includes macro-, meso-, and micro-scale monitoring.
Restoration works were carried out at the Epanomi lagoon, in order to improve the hydro period and water quality and provide more breeding, resting and feeding areas for the target seabird species. This included clearing the canals surrounding the lagoon of litter and debris, and creating/ building: two artificial ponds, a mudflat area, two artificial islets, an halophilous (salt-loving) plants- front to protect the lake from agricultural field drainage, and a sluice gate to control the entrance of polluted water into the lagoon.
These actions appeared to improve habitat diversity and benefit birdlife, as demonstrated by an increase in numbers and usage of the new islets by breeding birds – which in turn, meant there was an improvement in the conservation status of the lagoon. However, the fieldworks carried out targeting improvements in hydrological and ecological (water quality) status of the Epanomi lagoon were only completed towards the end of the project. As a result no monitoring results were obtained. It was, however, expected that there would be a positive impact on water quality in future.
As planned, tourism in both sites was regulated by various means, such as putting up barriers to restrict illegal vehicle access, and construction of two bird observatories (one per site) and three resting/ viewing points. Educational and public awareness- raising signs were also installed.
The main environmental or policy implications included: (i) Completion of studies for the targeted habitats and species. As well as contributing to the EU Habitats and Birds directives and to coastal and marine policy, these could be relevant nationally i.e. in compilation of integrated management plans for the areas; (ii) Providing evidence to support the extension of the Natura 2000 network of sites, beyond the previously set limits (i.e. because of a wider distribution of the Posidonia beds); and (iii) Identification, for the first time in the project areas, of another Annex 1 Habitats Directive habitat type, ‘Reefs’.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
