PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Mainalo mountain, situated in the central Peloponnese, consists of an extended natural forest area (Greek fir), Mediterranean shrublands and alpine grasslands. Mainalo links the northern Peloponnese and the mountains of the southern (Taygetos) and eastern (Parnon) Peloponnese. As a result of the high commercial value of its timber, the area has been impacted by forestry and extensive forest road construction. Alpine grassland habitats are heavily grazed and are also threatened by the development of mountain tourism. These activities have resulted in habitat fragmentation and destruction, and combined with pressure from hunting and illegal collection of plants, create unfavourable conditions for wildlife. At the time the LIFE project was initiated, there existed no effective legal framework for nature conservation protection.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project were:
To promote the legislative background for the protection of the site, according to national legislation;
To re-orient intensive silvicultural practices in sensitive forest habitats, to sustainable ones;
To support the local forest service to achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly timber production;
To plan sustainable tourist activities;
To preserve and enhance sensitive habitats and key species (priority or indicator species);
To improve connectivity among sensitive habitats in Mainalo and the surrounding mountain regions, namely Chelmos, Taygetos and Parnon;
To increase inhabitants' and visitors' awareness about the values of the local environment, and to promote their engagement to conservation activities; and
To inform locals about economic and employment opportunities coming from alternative tourism.
One of the main actions foreseen is the drawing up of and implementation of a management plan that includes allows for visitor access. The project also aims to promote a timber certification and accreditation scheme (ISO 14000). Specific conservation measures would include the fencing of sensitive areas, the management of vegetation and the creation of small ponds for amphibian populations. The creation of an information centre and information kiosks were foreseen, along with other public awareness actions.
RESULTS
The project changed from the original orientation on forest habitats to actions on species and other heath and scrub habitats in order to keep it focused on Natura 2000. Preparatory actions including a ‘Specific Environmental Study’, a 'Timber Certification and Accreditation Study' and a plan for tourism were completed. Wardening work, management of forest stands and monitoring of tourism were not completed as foreseen, with remaining activities that were undertaken losing some of their connectivity. Consequently protection, monitoring and the ability to plan appear to have been compromised. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification was achieved, but it was left uncertain whether or not this would be used to guarantee sustainable forest management in the area. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was produced, as were zoning proposals (for protected areas, biodiversity management, sustainable development areas for forestry and agriculture, and development). Some planting did take place, but not in the most strategically important areas. Other interventions included creating small ponds, fencing, clearing 90km of paths, and establishing information facilities.The project changed from the original orientation on forest habitats to actions on species and other heath and scrub habitats in order to keep it focused on Natura 2000. Preparatory actions including a ‘Specific Environmental Study’, a 'Timber Certification and Accreditation Study' and a plan for tourism were completed. Wardening work, management of forest stands and monitoring of tourism were not completed as foreseen, with remaining activities that were undertaken losing some of their connectivity. Consequently protection, monitoring and the ability to plan appear to have been compromised. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification was achieved, but it was left uncertain whether or not this would be used to guarantee sustainable forest management in the area. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was produced, as were zoning proposals (for protected areas, biodiversity management, sustainable development areas for forestry and agriculture, and development). Some planting did take place, but not in the most strategically important areas. Other interventions included creating small ponds, fencing, clearing 90km of paths, and establishing information facilities.
