Conservation of priority species and habitats of Andros Island protected area integrating socioeconomic considerations

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Andros is the northernmost island of the Cyclades (Greece). Its mountains cause high local precipitation, while the lowlands have very dry summers typical of the Cyclades. These diverse climatic conditions, combined with non-limestone substrates and small rivers crossing the mountain valley, result in a great diversity of habitats, including alluvial forests - a priority habitat for conservation in the Habitats Directive. The marine area around Andros is one of Greece’s most important areas for seabirds and marine mammals. The coastline has numerous partially or totally submerged marine caves - another priority habitat - which are important for Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), a priority species in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. The rocky coasts and 16 adjacent uninhabited islets are important nesting and roosting areas for Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii), Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) and Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae): all in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The main terrestrial threats to these species include road construction, garbage disposal, wetland degradation, overgrazing, heavy flooding, soil erosion, the abandonment of traditional farming practices and electricity generation infrastructure. The main marine threats include overfishing, illegal and unsustainable fishing, marine debris and abandoned fishing gear (‘ghost fishing’).

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of LIFE Andros Park is to implement conservation and restoration actions to significantly restore and improve the conservation status of the Habitats Directive Annex I priority terrestrial habitat, alluvial forests (91E0*), as well as the priority marine species, Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus ), and the priority coastal seabirds, Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii ) and Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii ). The ultimate aim is to establish a holistic management scheme for the Andros Natura 2000 network sites and their protection zones, as adopted by the relevant ministerial decree for Andros Island Park. The main specific project objectives include: protection of alluvial forests habitat from the threats of overgrazing, soil erosion, river flooding and wild fires; and introduction of an effective management system to protect priority marine species from harmful marine debris. The project intends to involve local stakeholders and volunteers actively in the planning and the implementation of project interventions.

Expected results:

Improved conservation status of 100% (29 ha) of the alluvial forests habitat (91E0*) in the Andros Natura 2000 SAC site and 100% of the local Mediterranean monk seal, Mediterranean shag and Audouin’s gull populations;

Updated baseline information for the target priority habitat and species and their associated conservation problems/threats;

Technical plans to address erosion, flooding, fire and grazing problems, and to remove marine plastic debris and derelict fishing gear;

Protection of selected sites within the alluvial forests habitat through measures to mitigate against erosion and flooding (e.g. restoration of 6 km of stone walls along streams), fires (10 water tanks and repair of 5 km of stone walls) and grazing (1.8 km of fencing), as well as targeted interventions to eradicate invasive giant reed;

Restoration of about 11 ha of destroyed/deteriorated alluvial forest habitat and creation of an 800 m2 plant nursery;

Removal of marine plastic debris and derelict fishing gear from at least 6 marine caves, 20 km2 of offshore marine areas, 10 km of coastline, and 10 islets that are vital for marine priority species;

Implementation of fishing spatial planning for effective mitigation of local fishermen’s reactions against protection measures for Mediterranean monk seal (involving at least 50% of local professional fisheries);

An Andros brand for value-added fisheries products established and to boost promotion of fishing tourism;

Reduction of seal and seabird mortality due to marine debris and negative interactions with fisheries, by 50% and 40% respectively;

Germplasm collection and a seed bank created for essential plant and alder-associated macrofungi species for an effective ex-situ conservation of plant species; and

A botanical garden created for the preservation of a living plant collection from the targeted habitat and for promoting ex-situ conservation and various educational and public awareness activities.