Περίληψη:
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs) are shallow water bodies which are characterized from a short wet period and their small size. MTPs of Europe have are under an effective protection status, as a result of their identification as a priority habitat (Annex I code 3170*) in the EU Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats' Directive). These ponds are very delicate ecosystems regarding their hydrological and geochemical characteristics. Due to their small size, they are open to random destruction or other unpredictable dangers. Although small in size, MTPs are complex ecosystems where topography, soil, water and hydrological conditions and microorganisms are closely connected. The conservation and restoration of such ecosystems is very difficult because of their unique characteristics. The most common threats for MTPs include destruction of the hosting area through human and animal pressures, hydrological disturbance, fire and generally changes in ecological conditions resulting in an increase of competitive plants, nutrition influx, toxic contaminants and wastes, sedimentary deposit filling, exotic-invasive fauna and flora and negative effects from domesticated or hunted fauna.
The study was carried out in the MTPs area of the National Forest Park of Mt. Oiti (GR2440004) and Mt. Kallidromo (GR2440006). Overall, the survey has included seven small and independent MTPs of high altitude in the areas of Mt. Oiti (Louka, Livadies, Greveno and Alikaina) and Mt. Kallidromo (Nevropolis, Mourouzos and Souvala).
This study aims to present a dataset of the geo-environmental parameters in order to assess the potential hazards for these priority habitats. Furthermore, it is also worth mentioning that MTPs are unevenly studied, regarding their geological, hydrological, hydrochemical, geochemical and mineralogical characteristics and this work provides a first report on an integrated evaluation of these parameters regarding the qualitative and quantitative risk identification of the MTPs in Central Greece.
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds, freshwater habitats, ecology, environmental geochemistry, environmental geophysics
