SPA Greece - Conservation and management actions in special protected areas in Greece LIFE97 NAT/GR/004243

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1 SPA Greece - Conservation and management actions in special protected areas in Greece LIFE97 NAT/GR/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Kostas KASSIOUMIS Tel: Fax: arsi@otenet.gr Project description: Background This project is one of the few in Greece targeting mainly mountain avifauna (and not wetland avifauna); it takes place in six mountainous SPAs, while the 7th SPA is a small mountain wetland. During , the Greek Ministry of Environment assigned to N.AG.RE.F. and the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) the execution of studies for the ornithological evaluation of the 7 sites (which at that time were not SPAs) within the framework of the ENVIREG Community Initiative. The LIFE-Nature project constituted a further endeavour of that first conservation effort dealing with the protection and conservation of the 7 sites, all of which are also pscis (or at least a large part of them). Eight bird species ( A. pomarina, A. chrysaetos, H. fasciatus, F. naumani, F. biarmicus, G. barbatus, A. nyroca, P. crispus), considered as priority under LIFE can be found in these areas. All 7 SPAs involved in the project have suffered from degradation over the past years, but in varying degrees. The main threats are increased hunting pressure and poaching, disturbance from human activities, overgrazing and misinformation of the local people. This last cause often constitutes the prime motivation for activities that have detrimental impacts on the avifauna and the habitats in general. In addition, the absence of an officially institutionalised structure impedes the effective conservation and protection of birds and habitats in the SPAs. Objectives

2 The aim of the project was to protect and manage the avifauna of Annex I of the Birds Directive and its habitats in the seven project sites. The actions undertaken aimed at the protection of important bird species and their biotopes, the improvement and strengthening of the areas management, and the promotion of a legally binding protection status. The actions could be divided in three main groups: Field conservation measures, which were identified as priority for each site by the aforementioned ENVIREG project ( ) and during the LIFE-Nature project (as far as new actions following the additional clause are concerned). The measures, which were carried out with the approval of the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, and the collaboration of the local forest offices aimed at the reduction of human disturbance (through road closure and wardening), support of certain raptor populations (through the creation of feeding stations and water points), and establishment of a permanent environmental monitoring system for the sites. Update of Joint Ministerial Decisions and elaboration of management plans (Specific Environmental Studies - SESs) as well as implementation of certain proposed measures at pilot level. The SESs are an obligatory step according to national legislation for the establishment of protected areas. They provide an evaluation of the sites natural characteristics and, more importantly, a zoning plan and a scheme for the management body for each site. Public awareness targeting local stakeholders (creation of communication material, installation of observatories, information kiosks, etc), as well as networking with Greek and foreign structures for the implementation of certain actions. Results The Major successes were: Capacity building and involvement of local forest service staff: The project gave the opportunity for local forest services to obtain the required infrastructure to participate in a nature conservation project. The daily discussions, the seminars organised and the ongoing collaboration definitely improved the forest services' understanding of nature conservation issues. Their involvement can be illustrated through a couple of examples: the hunting refuge in Tzena was enlarged from 70% to 100% of the SPA s surface, while the hunting refuge in Agra lake was enlarged from 42% to about 100% of the SPA. Both were done under the initiative of the local forest services, in collaboration with the project staff. A considerable amount of equipment and infrastructure were made available thanks to the project; they will enable the continuation of nature conservation actions (observation points, info centres, trails, telescopes, binoculars, compasses, stereoscopes, dendromeasurement equipment, etc.). Important methodological tools have also been provided, for use by foresters, such as the "Table of Threats and Conservation Actions for the Avifauna" and the report "Management of avifauna in mountainous forest

3 areas". The monitoring system could also be used by them, but not all forest services have the appropriate equipment and trained personnel. The project also created a great dynamic between foresters and ornithologists: these two groups' understanding of the term "nature conservation" differs. The project forced them to work together for the implementation of field actions and for the elaboration of the conservation and management proposals. Awareness raising: The public awareness actions started late, but once they did, they had a significant impact on people s attitudes towards the project and towards the protection of the sites. It should be reminded that these 7 areas are not among the "famous" greek natural areas. In most of them, the LIFE-project was the first co-ordinated effort related to nature conservation. In fact, to many of the locals, the project introduced the notions of "nature conservation" and "nature management". In many cases the project also changed local people s erroneous notions about what a protected area was (most local people tended to think of protected areas as plots surrounded by fences where no activities whatsoever were allowed). Finally, it should be noted that the project actions (info centre, trails, observatories, etc.) constitute a new pole of attraction. Major shortcomings Limited effectiveness of certain actions in the immediate future: - The overall effectiveness of certain actions on the avifauna's conservation status will not be immediate. This is so for the following reasons: Most of the field actions of the project were undertaken on a pilot or demonstrative level. This was the case for all concrete field actions targeting avifauna, such as control of garbage dumps, closure of forest roads, anti-erosion measures, feeding stations, creation of water points, collection of agrochemical product packaging and vegetation management. However, if these pilot actions are to be undertaken on a larger scale, by the forest services (now) and the Management Bodies of the protected areas (whenever they are created), then the actions will have served their purpose. - The urgent character of certain actions, and in particular of artificial feeding, was lost. This action was urgently needed in Barbas-Klokos, where, at the beginning of the project, the remaining two pairs of Griffon vultures in the Peloponese used to be observed, and in Tzena-Pinovo which hosts the last Bearded vulture individual(s) in mainland Greece. The duration of certain actions, such as the artificial feeding, operation of information centres, monitoring, vegetation management in Agra, and grazing management in Kouskouras is too short due to the important delays that have occurred.the continuation of these actions has been secured either through NAGREF's own funding or through the collaboration with the Forest services. Uncertain future of the legislative proposals submitted by the project: Two key outputs of the project for the sites' legal protection, the Joint Ministerial Decisions and the Specific Environmental Studies, were submitted to the competent authorities on 2/1998 and 2/2001 respectively. However, given the Ministry of Environment's records in protected area establishment, the adoption in the short-term of the JMDs and in the medium-term of the SESs and Presidential Decrees is not yet guaranteed.

4 Environmental issues addressed: Themes Species - Birds Keywords endangered species protected area biotope network public awareness campaign monitoring system environmental training forest management management plan mountainous area Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds ( ) Target species Aquila chrysaetos Gypaetus barbatus Gyps fulvus Milvus migrans Neophron percnopterus Target Habitat types Quercus ilex and Quercus rotundifolia forests (Sub-) Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pines Mediterranean pine forests with endemic Mesogean pines Mediterranean Taxus baccata woods Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests Medio-European limestone beech forests of the Cephalanthero-Fagion 91E0 - "Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)" Castanea sativa woods Hellenic beech forests with Abies borisii-regis Quercus frainetto woods 92A0 - Salix alba and Populus alba galleries 92C0 - Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis woods (Platanion orientalis) Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) Dehesas with evergreen Quercus spp Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition -

5 type vegetation Alpine and Boreal heaths Endemic oro-mediterranean heaths with gorse Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands Arborescent matorral with Juniperus spp Sarcopoterium spinosum phryganas Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi Natura 2000 sites SCI GR ORI TZENA SPA GR LIMNI KAI FRAGMA AGRA SPA GR KOILADA TIMIOU PRODROMOU-MENOIKION SPA GR OROS CHOLOMONTAS SPA GR OROS MAVROVOUNI SPA GR ANTICHASIA ORI KAI METEORA SPA GR ORI BARMPAS, KLOKOS, FARANGI SELINOUNTA Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description National Agricultural Research Foundation Research institution The National Agricultural Research Foundation (N.AG.RE.F.) is the national body responsible for agricultural research and technology in Greece, functioning as a Legal Private Body sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture. It was established in 1989 under the Decree 1845/1989 entitled "Development and Exploitation of Agricultural Research and Technology". N.AG.RE.F. is also in charge of the research for technological improvement and development in agricultural, forest, and fish production, it is also concerned with veterinary issues, the management of marine resources, soil science, land reclamation, processing and preservation of agricultural products, as well as agricultural economy and sociology. N.AG.RE.F. is administered by an Administrative Council consisting of eleven members, whereas the planning of its scientific and research activities is carried by the Scientific Council.

6 Administrative data: Project reference LIFE97 NAT/GR/ Duration 01-JAN-1998 to 31-MAR Total budget 2,742, EU contribution 1,782, Project location Kentriki Makedonia(Ellas) Thessalia(Ellas) Ipeiros(Ellas) Dytiki Ellada(Ellas) Read more: Leaflet Title: Training seminar for management of protected areas with emphasis on Special Protection Areas (SPAs). Seminar programme Year: 2002 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 6 Publication: Case study Title: Organisation of feeding sites for raptors, information centre and observatory in Athihasia area Author: Bousbouras Year: 1998 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 25 Publication: Case study Title: Information system for the monitoring of Special Protection Areas in Greece Author: Gatzogiannis (ed.) Year: 2002 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 63 Publication: Case study Title: Continuous monitoring of changes in habitats with teledetection Author: Sylaios, Kostantinidis Year: 2002 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 65 Publication: Case study Title: Final report for the organisation of a feeding site for the Bearded vulture and other raptors in the mountain massif of Tzena-Pinovo Author: Tsiakiris Year: 2002 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 93 Publication: Case study Title: Avifauna management in mountainous and forested areas Author: Kazatzidis,Dimalexis,Stais,Xatzilakou,Poirazidis Year: 2002 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 80 Publication: Case study Title: Specific Environmental Study (one for each project area) with management and legislative proposals Editor: NAGREF Publication: Case study Title: Organisation of the feeding site for raptors and observatory in Aigio region Author: Misiakos, Bousbouras Year: 1998 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 27 Publication: Case study Title: Proposals and monitoring forms for the inventorying and systematic monitoring of habitat types in project areas Author: Dimopoulos Year: 2002 Editor: NAGREF No of pages: 70

7 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more