Establishing a bio-monitoring program of plant species
and habitats of the Mesogaia area (Athens, Greece):
baseline survey results |
SOFIA SPANOU1, GEORGIOS VERROIOS1, GEORGIOS DIMITRELLOS1,
ARGYRO LIVANIOU-TINIAKOU1, THEODOROS GEORGIADIS1*
and ANASTASIOS ANAGNOSTOPOULOS2
1 Botanical Institute – Plant Ecology, Department of Biology,
University of Patras, GR 265 00, Patras, Greece
2 Athens International Airport S.A., Wildlife & Landscaping Environmental Services Department,
GR 190 19, Spata, Greece |
Abstract
Ever-increasing human activities in the Mesogaia area (prefecture of
Attiki, Greece) have caused severe environmental disturbances and
alteration of the area’s natural ecosystems. The construction and
operation of the new Athens International Airport “Eleftherios
Venizelos” in the area is expected to amplify these disturbances
directly or indirectly. Bio-monitoring of the remaining natural habitat
types is of high importance; therefore, a research project was
established in order to monitor any impacts induced by the construction
and operation of the new International Airport and the prospective
development of the surrounding area. A detailed survey of the flora and
vegetation of the area and vegetation mapping enabled the authors to
identify and record the habitat types, plant communities and the area’s
ecosystem dynamics, as well as to evaluate anticipated environmental
impacts. Subsequently, a number of plant taxa connected with
conservation references are presented here, along with several habitat
types considered important for plants and animals.
. |