Policies and implemented tools for digitization of natural heritage

in Region of Western Greece

Prof. Vagelis Papadakis

Dept. of Environmental & Natural Resources Management, University of Patras

Email: vgpapadakis@upatras.gr Valencia, 01/02/2017

Area 11.350 km2, covering 8,6 % of the total country area.

Regional Units • Achaea• Aetolia-Acarnania• Ilia

Population 679.796 people, accounting of 6,3% of the country total

GDP 4,6% of the national GDP

Region of Western Greece(RWG)

1. National Register for Natural Heritage (http://www.ekby.gr/ekby/el/PP_main_el.html). The

database of nationally protected areas of Greece (Common Database on Designated Areas -

CDDA) and the related geographical data, submitted every two years to the European

Environment Agency and included in http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/gr/eea/cdda1 (Database and

Geographical Data of nationally protected areas of Greece (CDDA))

Greece - Policies - Case Studies

National Lagoon Parks of Messolonghi - Aitoliko

Includes (Protected Areas under National Legislation)• 10 x National Forests/Parks (law no. 996/71)• 17 x National Parks (law no. 1650/86) - National Lagoon Parks of Messolonghi - Aitoliko• 19 x Aesthetically Forests (law no. 996/71) - National Independence Forest in Kalavryta

Achaias• 51 x Natural Monuments (law no. 996/71) - The plane tree of Pausanias in Aigio• 610 x Wildlife Refugees (law no. 177/75, as amended by law no. 2637/98)• 7 x Controlled Hunting Areas (law no. 177/75, as amended by law no. 2637/98)• 21 x Breeding Hunting Animals (law no. 177/75, as amended by law no. 2637/98)• 23 x Nature Protection Areas (law no. 1650/86) - National Park Chelmos – Vouraikos Zones

A1, A2 and A3 • 8 x Locations of Absolute Nature Protection (law no. 1650/86) - National Lagoon Park of

Messolonghi Ζones AP1, AP2, AP3 και AP4 • 3 x Protected Forests (law no. Act 86/1969 , as applicable)• 2 x Protected Landscapes and Natural Formations (law no. 1650/86)• 1 x Eco-Development Areas (law no. 1650/86)

Greece - Policies - Case Studies

Includes (Protected Areas under International Legislation)

• 10 x Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention

• 2 x World Heritage Monuments (Meteora, Mount Athos)

• 2 x Biosphere Reserves (National Parks Olympus and Samaria)

• 9 x Specially Protected Areas under the Barcelona Convention (Protocol No.4)

• 16 x Biogenetics Reserves (Laganas, Prespa, Samaria, Ainosκλπ)

• 1 x Areas that have been awarded with Eurodiploma (Samaria National Park)

Include (Protected Areas at European Level σε Ευρωπαϊκό Επίπεδο)

• Areas of Network Natura 2000

Greece - Policies - Case Studies

1. Since 1937, Greece has begun to recognize areas with high ecological interest (forests,

wetlands, etc.), and started and to put them under protection status

2. There is no natural heritage digitization policy

3. Fragmentary European and / or National funding programs with a focus to represent

the region as a tourist attraction

4. Individual efforts only as part Promotion / Advertising Tourist Destinations and not

interest on preservation

5. No efforts to digitize current snapshot, compare with future situation and map

(tracking) of the changes caused by human factors

Greece - Policies - Case Studies

• Search for geospatial data to the website

http://www.ekby.gr/ekby/el/EKBY_home_el.html

• Nature and Biodiversity map

http://ekbygis.biodiversity-info.gr/map/

• Website for Nature and Biodiversity in Greece

• Digital documents implemented DSPace with Photos, Video, and books

Biotopes – WetLand Network and

Goulandris Natural History Museum

For the recording of pathways/trails for each Decentralized Administration, responsible isthe respective Directorate of Forests of the Region. The records will be digitally registered atmaps with suitable digital layers.

Directorates will also, be responsible for consolidating pathways/trails within their area andfor registering their special characteristics in a list. The recorded data will be sent to theGeneral Directorate of Forests Development and Protection of Ministry of Environment andEnergy, in printed and electronic form, to be registered in an electronic database -geographic information system (Registry Paths).

Ministerial decision in accordance with Article 42 par. 9 Law 4280/2014 on "Definingtechnical requirements, for marking, opening and maintenance of mountaineering - hikingtrails"

Recording Pathways/Trails

Public Consultation 06/2016 - 08/2016

The Data Base for the Natural Heritage of Almopiapresents the most important natural sites, species offlora/fauna and findings of the area. It was developed inthe framework of the project “Living history, Livingnature” which aimed to implement interventions for theprotection and enhancement of cultural and naturalheritage of the cross-border area, with a series ofactions for the integration of selected points of interestand presenting them with new media.

http://www.lhilna.gr/naturalheritage/en

o Municipality of Almopia (Greece)o Municipality of Novaci (Former Yugoslavy Republic

of Macedonia)

Database for the Natural Inheritance of Almopia

Paleontological excavations in Charkadio Cave, dating back since 1971,have revealed findings of the last European Elephants that inhabitedTilos Island 45.000 - 4.000 years ago. The extinction of Elephas tiliensisallows us to refer to the last dwarf European elephants that inhabitedMediterranean islands.

The project aimed at the recreation & exhibition of this unique naturaltreasure, with the use of state-of-the-art methods and technologies:Collection Digitizing, Computed Tomography, Laser Scan, CAD,Reconstruction, Allometry/Mathematical Study, Lightweight analyzedsupport frame and Rapid Prototypes that have never before been usedin such an interdisciplinary way for the field of Palaeontology inGreece.http://rplab.mech.ntua.gr/thalis/o NTUA, School of Mechanical Engineeringo NKUA, Geology Dept.o NKUA, Biology Dept.o UPATRAS, Medical School

Thalis Project: Publicity of our Natural Heritage: Use of State of the arttechnologies for the Digital Imprint Reconstruction of a 3D skeleton of thelast European elephants

1. Digitization and Surveying system for the current status / situation in forests and

lakes - Mapping submarine coastal habitats (underwater using AUV REOV or over

the air using Drones)

2. Virtual Museum (digitized documents) for maintenance, access and public

awareness for the protection of marine life and promotion of environmental

education

3. Recording and Displaying systems biodiversity action on wetlands / forests / parks

• National Lagoon Parks Messolonghi - Aitolikou

• National Wetland Park Kotychi -Strofilias

• National Park Helmos - Vouraikos

Indicative Proposals to RWG

4. Presentation of pathways / trails and visited Natural Areas by using innovative

applications (GIS and mobile applications)

• National Independence Forest of Kalavryta in Achaia

5. 3D Digitization and documentation of Fixed Natural Monuments

• The plane tree of Pausanias in Aegio

• The Twelve Fountains in Aegio

• The Oaks in Kalamia village in Aegio

• The plane tree of Plataniotissa village in Kalavryta

• The Lesini forest of Aitoloakarnania

• The plane tree of Ag. Lavra Kalavryta

Indicative Proposals to RWG

Thank you !

Prof. Vagelis PapadakisEmail: vgpapadakis@upatras.gr