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A wetland inventory should constitute an information system that provides a geographically comprehensive picture of acquired information and should give insights into the wetland’s temporal dynamics. To achieve this, a proper classification system and a habitat-oriented database are needed. The literature review shows that all wetland inventories at national or European level are site-oriented. For this reason, the Cowardin et al. (1979) classification system was adapted to the conditions prevailing in the Mediterranean region. The method combines remote sensed data with field work to minimize cost and time and results in a wetland-habitat spatial database. Both the adapted classification system and the wetland habitat inventory method were tested successfully at two sites in Greece (Kerkini Lake and the Nestos Delta). more...

This study identified the possible impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecological character of Greek wetlands. The objectives of this project were a) to record the anthropogenic activities that caused change in a wetland’s ecological character and assess their intensity for each wetland site and b) to identify the most significant environmental impact on each type of Greek wetland. Nineteen factors of degradation (intensive human activities) were identified and grouped in one of the impact categories according to their most significant direct impact. These degradation factors were grouped into four categories for impact evaluation: change in water regime, depletion of wetland resources, change in water quality, and loss of wetland area. To inventory anthropogenic activities and their possible impact on the ecological character of Greek wetlands, more than 1200 questionnaires were distributed, selected, and processed to compile information. These data for 291 wetlands were compiled into a data base GRIN (GReek INventory) that provides information on the factors of degradation of different kinds of wetlands (deltas, estuaries, lagoons, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes, and springs). The following factors most frequently impacted Greek watlands: a) construction of irrigation schemes and diversion of water courses, causing changes in water regime (12%); b) overpumping, land clearing, and illegal hunting, causing depletion of natural resources (26%); c) agricultural and municipal pollution, causing changes in water quality (54%); and d) establishment of housing facilities and expansion of agriculture, causing loss of wetland area (32%). Change in water regime affected 50% of the springs and 40% of the rivers, natural resources depletion affected 42% of the deltas and 41% of the reservoirs, loss of wetland area affected 60% of the marshes and 52% of the estuaries, while all deltas and 75% of rivers had their water quality impacted. more...

This effort is the first approximation for an inventory of Greek wetlands that will be used to create a national archives of wetland information. The objectives of this study were to a) collect data on characteristics, functions, threats, and positive actions related to the use of wetlands, b) design and develop a data base with the above information, and c) depict part of these data on a digitized thematic map. The project consisted of a) design of a questionnaire that would be easy to understand and fill out, comprehensive, and compatible with data formats of other international data bases (Ramsar Bureau. CORINE Biotopes), b) distribution of the questionnaire, c) data quality control, d) design and development of the data base, and e) depiction of the location of the types of Greek wetlands proportional to their size on a scale of 1∶1,000,000. The results included the publication of the compiled information sheets for 378 Greek wetlands. These data sheets contain information on the location, the area, the most important biotic and abiotic characteristics, the values, the uses, the pressures threatening the wetlands, the legal status, and the positive actions. Additional results included the number and the location of drained wetlands, the preliminary results on the wetland flora of Greece, and a digitized map of Greek wetlands. more...