Last updated: October 2021
The lagoon has a great local significance for its biodiversity with the presence of certain species of rare birds regularly stationed in this area. Much of the biotope was degraded in the last decade by systematic embankments, constructions, as well as the inconvenience caused by various man-made pressures. A project was developed to reconstruct the area within the framework of a collaboration of the Institute of Marine Biological Resources, Inland Waters of HCMR, and Hellenic Ornology Company. The project offers directions for completing a protected region and proposes specific projects and actions of scientific monitoring, ecological rehabilitation, regeneration, and promotion. (Ref 3)
Artemis Lagoon
Source: http://zogaris.blogspot.com/2014/12/10-top-briding-wetlands-in-attika.html
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change mitigation
- Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
- Marine and coastal biodiversity protection
- Marine and coastal research and/or education
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Effective management
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
- Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
Focus
Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
The goal is to keep high bird species diversity, preserve the habitat of the local species, preserve the rare species, protect the ecosystem, create an exemplary natural park, increase environmental awareness and training, provide a better bird watching tourism to the country (Ref. 2 and 3)
Implementation activities
Ecological rehabilitation interventions are going on to improve the biodiversity. A fencing facility is being built up surrounding particular sensitive parts that needed absolute protection. Only outdoor recreation and observation of biodiversity and landscape are allowed for the tourists. Measures are being taken to protect the habitats. Any constructions without the permission of the authority are illegal. A close identification and monitoring of the threatened species, ecological communities, and migratory birds are being done under specific plans. The area is thereby protected at this level. It is also protected by other provisions of Environmental Law and by its jurisprudence Co. The wetland is included in Zone B1 (Areas of Absolute Landscape Protection, Archaeological sites, and monuments) of Presidential Decree 20/2003. (Ref 3). One of the few incidents of "restoration" was with a financial contribution of 10,000 euros, about 1,000 meters of wire mesh and iron pillars were purchased, which were placed with the work of the municipality staff under the supervision of the mayor. A significant part of the debris was removed by trucks of the prefecture (approximately 250 trucks) and transported to the landfills of Ano Liossia, indicating the removal of 3,000 tonnes of waste and the imposition of fines. There are indications of an increase in the number of species but also of populations of birds in the area after the project (Ref 1).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change mitigation:
- Increase green urban nature for carbon storage (wetlands, tree cover)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Promote environmentally-sound development in and around protected areas
- Create new habitats
- Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Means for conservation governance
- Biodiversity offsets
- Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
- Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore ecological connectivity
Main beneficiaries
- National-level government
- Local government/Municipality
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Taskforce groups
- Dissemination of information and education
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The Wetland and the coastal zone are public lands. The area of the wetland belongs to the Municipality Artemis according to the distribution of the Ministry of Agriculture. All the necessary innovations and activities are done by the local government. (Ref 3).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(EU adaptation strategy on Climate Action. The innovation is one of the projects to regulate the local temperature and carbon sequestration and to protect the bird species from the effect of the climate change. (Ref 3))
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(o National Biodiversity Strategy: To protect and conserve the biodiversity of the area
o “Protected Area Management Plans” from the new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Directorate: To implement proper management plans for the innovation
)
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Planning Plan Athens-Attica 2021 in Law 4277 (Government Gazette 156/2014). In Annex IX, Article. 20 of the bill, the wetland is referred as "priority A wetlands". The strategy provides law in the protection of the lagoon. (Ref 3)
)
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
- Public regional budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Enhanced carbon sequestration
- Environmental quality
- Improved soil quality
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased number of protection areas
- Increased green space area
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Increase in protected green space areas
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- More sustainable tourism
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful
- Increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Top 10 Birding wetlands in Attika, Greece: Artemis Lagoon. 2014. Athens Nature Journal. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th July, 2020.
2. Birdwatching in Athens. 2017. Birdwatching in Greece. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th July, 2020.
3. Zogaris, S., Karaouzas I., Kastritis, Th., Kaniastas, E., Stavakas, L., Trigou R., Vlami, V. 2015. Artemis Wetland
(Artemis, Attika, Greece): Biodiversity conservation study. Hellenic Ornithological Society/ Hellenic Centre for Marine Research ‐ Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters. Athens 72.
4. Artemis Lagoon. Birding Places. URL: Source link. Accessed on 11th July, 2020.
2. Birdwatching in Athens. 2017. Birdwatching in Greece. URL: Source link. Accessed on 9th July, 2020.
3. Zogaris, S., Karaouzas I., Kastritis, Th., Kaniastas, E., Stavakas, L., Trigou R., Vlami, V. 2015. Artemis Wetland
(Artemis, Attika, Greece): Biodiversity conservation study. Hellenic Ornithological Society/ Hellenic Centre for Marine Research ‐ Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters. Athens 72.
4. Artemis Lagoon. Birding Places. URL: Source link. Accessed on 11th July, 2020.
Artemis Lagoon
Source: http://zogaris.blogspot.com/2014/12/10-top-briding-wetlands-in-attika.html