Multiple Anthropogenic Pressures and Interventions and Environmental Management of Some Wetlands in Phthiotis (Central Greece)

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 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.