- The project
- Project promoter and partners
- Activities
- News
The project
The mountain area of Lakonia is dominated by the massifs of Parnonas and Taygetos, which are also the southernmost mountains on mainland Greece. Due to this fact they are particularly important for the preservation of biodiversity, whereas they also play an important role in the protection of soil resources and the water economy. These ecosystems, however, were seriously afflicted by the extensive forest fires of 2007.
This project aims to promote the sustainable management of the mountain area of Lakonia by restoring the forests of Parnonas that were afflicted by the great fires of 2007, completing an ecological study and formulating biodiversity preservation guidelines for the mountain area of Lakonia.
The project concerns the areas of Mount Parnonas, which is situated on the border between the prefectures of Lakonia and Arkadia, and Mount Taygetos, which is situated on the border between the prefectures of Lakonia and Messinia.
Project promoter and partners
PROJECT PROMOTER
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PARTNERS
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Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of the Prefecture of Lakonia | |
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The Goulandris Natural History Museum |
Activities
The following actions will be implemented in order to fulfill the project’s objective:
1) Re-establishment of forest vegetation in Mt. Parnonas
This activity includes the preparation of a restoration study, the collection of reproductive material, the production of the planting material and the re-establishment of the forest vegetation. The restoration study will identify the intervention sites, the species to be used, the intervention types and the season for carrying out each activity. Collection of reproductive material regards the collection of cones of fir and black pine that will be used and the extraction of the seeds. The purchase of equipment for the processing of cones is foreseen. Production of reproductive material will provide young plants by public forest nurseries. Forest vegetation will primarily be re-established through plantings. Black pine may, also be sown at sites where this method may be successful. Fencing and other small-scale works may be performed in order to ensure restoration. At sites where natural regeneration may be possible through adjacent trees – sowers, regeneration will be assisted through soil scarification or other surface interventions. The outcome will be the re-establishment of forest vegetation in 250 ha.
2) Establishment of restoration monitoring programme Establishment of restoration monitoring programme includes the establishment of 12 permanenty monitoring plots, representative of the ecological profile of the areas to be restored. The data that will be collected include percentage of survival of planted trees, density and cover of natural regeneration, floristic data and basic soil description. Data will be collected from these plots from the start of plantings and at suitable time periods thereafter for the purpose of ensuring appraisal of all parameters affecting the successful re-establishment of forest vegetation.
The monitoring programme will be supported by a meteorological station with a data logger capable for radio transmission of data via GSM networks. The sensors of the meteorologicalstation will measure air temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, rain and solar radiation.
3) Implementation of Ecological study of Mount Taygetos and biodiversity conservation guidelines The study aims to provide a complete picture of the main ecological characteristics of Mount Taygetos and to formulate proposals on the main lines of action for the conservation of biodiversity on the mountain. The study will be based on field work, bibliographic research and the collection of data from local bodies.
Consultations will be held with local bodies (prefectural authorities, Local Government Organisations and local services) and the bodies responsible for coordinating biodiversity conservation actions at the national level (Greek Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works).
4) Publicity and management Publicity includes the following actions: a) development of a website, b) project logo, publication of a three-page leaflet and of an information booklet on Taygetos, c) dissemination of the study on the ecological state of Taygetos, d) media work, participation in communication events and in scientific conferences and e) signposting with two information signs in the area where forest vegetation will be restored and a commemorative plaque.
Project management aims to ensure its implementation subject to the approved content, schedule and resources and the regulations and procedures.
News
Progress of Activity 2: Establishment of restoration monitoring programme | 02/09/2011The restoration monitoring program, which includes 12 permanent monitoring plots and a meteorological station, has been established. The station is accompanied by specific software for the transmission of data via GPRS and Internet. The software has been installed at the Forest Service of Sparti. The procurement contract covers the GPRS cost for six years. The sensors of the meteorological station measure air temperature, wind speed and direction, rain and solar radiation.
Progress of Activity 3: Ecological study of Mount Taygetos | 02/09/2011Field surveys results in Mount Taygetos, their together with data collected from other sources were analysed and the proposals on the conservation of biodiversity were developed for Mount Taygetos. The ecological study was uploaded on the internet and presented at a consultation meeting organized on 29/4/2011 in Sparti. Twenty three competent bodies including, pertinent services, local authorities, associations of users of the area, NGOs and researchers were represented at the meeting. Their recommendations are processed and will be incorporated in the technical publication, which will be published later this year.
Progress of Activity 1: Re-establishment of forest vegetation in Mt. Parnonas | 02/09/2011On 26/01/2011 the contract for the first part of the Forest Restoration Works of a value of 837,003.47 Euros, was signed. The works were successfully completed on 30/04/2011. With the completion of FRW I, 173,000 black pine samplings have been planted in an area of 108.2 ha. The technical study for FRW II (141.8 ha) is under preparation.
Consultation Meeting "Biodiversity conservation guidelines for Mount Taygetos | 20/04/2011The "Ecological survey of Mount Taygetos for the conservation of biodiversity" will be presented at a consultation meeting organized by the "Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of the Prefecture of Lakonia", on Friday, 29th of April at 11:00, at its premises by Dorieon 11 street in Sparti. The survey has been commissioned by the Greek Biotope - Wetland Centre (EKBY). Stakeholders are invited to express their suggestions and make comments (either during the meeting or by sending e-mail to helena@ekby.gr), in order to be incorporated by EKBY in the final study.
Update on Project Progress | 25/11/2010A Programme Contract has been signed among the project partners (Region of Peloponissos, Ministry of Rural Development, Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of the Prefecture of Lakonia and Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre) and a four-member Monitoring Committee, which represents all partners, was established. The forest restoration study has been completed. There is planting material ready for use in restoration works. The call of tenders for the first group of Forest Restoration Works, is open and tenders will have been submitted until 30 November. The design of the restoration monitoring programme is in progress. Technical specifications for the purchase of a meteorological station were finalized. The ecological study for Taygetos is progressing. The contract for the work of experts to carry out the fieldwork for the study has been signed. The call for tenders for the production of the publicity material has been prepared. Publicity actions are being carried out the emphasis being on communication with stakeholders.
