83 research outputs found
Figure 1 in Terrestrial isopods as bioindicators for environmental monitoring in olive groves and natural ecosystems
No full textFigure 1. Study area (western magnesia prefecture, central Greece).Published as part of Solomou, Alexandra D., Sfugaris, Athanassios I. & Sfendourakis, Spyros, 2019, Terrestrial isopods as bioindicators for environmental monitoring in olive groves and natural ecosystems, pp. 1721-1735 in Journal of Natural History 53 (27) on page 1723, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1658821, http://zenodo.org/record/367036
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND AGRICULTURAL TERRACES: A CASE STUDY ON THE ISLAND OF KYTHIRA (GREECE)
No full textFree Infragravity Waves and their Effect on Coastal Dune Safety
No full textThe coastal safety of the dunes are of high importance for low laying countries (Chen et al., 2017). This is especially true for the Netherlands as it is used officially as a safety measure against flooding from extreme weather since 1984 (Rijkswaterstaat, 1989). As of current 1D modelling of the waves is an acceptable method for the Dutch coast to assess the safety of the dunes (Den Heijer, 2013). For assessing the dune coastal safety the 98t h percentile of the runup R2% (Stockdon et al., 2006) is used for defining the wave response during a storm on the dunes. The current dune coastal safety studies consider bound waves (infragravity and sea- swell waves) propagating from offshore to nearshore. However, due to the Dutch coast being located at a very large semi-enclosed basin additional free infragravity waves can be present during a storm next to the bound waves that are reflected from other coasts (Daouk, 2020) as leaky waves (Herbers et al., 1995), and potentially increasing the R2% magnitude. Here we show that the R2% with the additional free infragravity waves in the wave domain can have a significant response on the dune coastal safety. The additional free infragravity waves can have tens of centimetres of R2% magnitude increase that is dependent on the slope of the domain. For the additional free infragravity waves a higher R2% is observed for steeper slopes, while a larger R2% growth is observed at the milder slopes when the free infragravity waves are initially introduced to the slope. The dune coastal safety assessments conducted thus far do not consider the effects from leaky waves from other coasts, therefore underestimating the safety provided from the dunes against flooding. With the research conducted by considering additional free infragravity waves with the traditionally bound waves originating in a storm, a better insight can be provided for dune coastal safety. As a result, companies and governmental bodies such as Rijkswaterstaat in the Netherlands that assess the coastal safety of the dunes can benefit by having a more complete representation of the coastal hydrodynamics that can as a result prevent flooding or provide dune nourishment after the episodic event (Sallenger, 2000).Civil Engineering | Hydraulic Engineerin
Predicting Woody Plant Diversity as Key Component of Ecosystems: A Case Study in Central Greece
No full textThe Mediterranean basin is a global hotspot of biodiversity. Woody plants are key components of ecosystems. This article explores the environmental impacts on woody plant species richness and diversity in maquis and abandoned olive groves in an important ecological area of central Greece. The results showed that woody plant species richness and diversity had increasing values in maquis compared to abandoned olive groves. According to Principal Component Analysis, woody plant species richness and diversity (Shannon diversity index) were positively correlated with soil organic matter, plant litter, N, P, K, slope and precipitation in maquis. Also, positive correlations among woody plant species richness and diversity, and soil organic matter, and slope were detected in abandoned olive groves. Conclusively, the present study is the first in the area and the results it will be utilized as a decision support tool for sustainability assessment of ecosystems with the help of the information systems
Effects of management practices in succession of olive groves ecosystems
No full textThe present study was conducted in olive groves of Magnesia Prefecture in which two trends have been observed regarding their management: a) abandonment and b) a low rate turn, but with an increasing tendency, towards organic olive-farming. The main objective of the study was to investigate the mechanisms and the direction to which the evolution (change) of the ecosystems of olive groves is led by the management practices (conventional, organic, abandonment), as well as the consequences these practices may have on the biodiversity. Specifically, the objectives of the study focused on the comparative study of the representative: 1) conventional, 2) organic, 3) abandoned olive groves and 4) the neighbouring natural ecosystems (maquis) as regards the chosen components of the biodiversity, that is a) plant diversity, b) structure, density, and diversity of bird communities, earthworms and earthly coleoptera and isopoda, as well as the following soil parameters: a) physiochemical characteristics and b) soil erosion. Moreover, another aim of the study was the establishment of rural and environmental indices of flora and fauna richness, and the yield of the olive groves under different management systems. Furthermore, the study aimed at establishing “species-indices” favoured by specific management systems of the olive groves so as they could be used as tools for watching ecosystems of olive groves during their future management. Data analysis revealed that the conventional olive groves, in both productive and non productive years, produced not significantly higher average produce in relation to the organic olive groves, not only regarding the production of olive oil but also the production of edible olives. As regards the total financial income, it was higher in the organic olive groves in relation to the conventional ones, in the study area. The effect of the management system in olive groves was proved to be significant for specific physiochemical characteristics of the soil (cation exchange capacity, phosphorous, organic matter, nitrates and ammonium salts, total nitrogen, carbon to nitrogen ratio and soil bulk density). The cation exchange capacity, the concentration of phosphorous, the organic matter ratio and C/N ratio of the soil was found to be higher in maquis and in organic olive groves, while the concentrations of total N, NO3-, NH4+ and the soil bulk density were found to be higher in conventional ones. The type of erosion observed was superficial interrill erosion in the conventional olive groves and locally in the organic and abandoned olive groves. Twofold quantity of erodible materials was recorded in conventional olive groves in comparison with the organic and abandoned ones, and threefold in comparison with the maquis. On the contrary, the quantity of erodible materials observed in the organic olive groves, was similar to that in the abandoned ones and the maquis.The present study highlighted the significance of the application of the organic management system in olive groves as regards the enhancement of the biodiversity. Specifically, a tendency for an increase in the diversity and density of the following components of biodiversity was observed in the organic olive groves: herbaceous plants during winter and spring period, woody plants, winter and breeding bird species, invertebrates (earthworms, insects in the families Carabidae and Tenebrionidae, isopoda). To some extent, this tendency simulates the organic olive groves with the neighbouring natural ecosystems (maquis). It was found out that the intensification of olive trees cultivation with the application of pesticides and inorganic chemical fertilizers degrades the soil and decreases the biodiversity. The composition, layout and physiognomy of the abandoned, for at least 12 years, olive groves simulates with that of the adjacent natural ecosystems (maquis), though there are some basic differences regarding the plant and fauna density and diversity. Moreover, for the management systems under the study, and the maquis, species-indices for the winter and spring herbaceous and woody plants, worms, Carabidae, Tenebrionidae and isopoda, as well as for the hibernant and reproduced bird species were established, which can constitute the base for drawing useful conclusions and making decisions which will contribute to sustainable management of olive tree cultivation.Η παρούσα διατριβή πραγματοποιήθηκε σε ελαιώνες του Νομού Μαγνησίας, στη διαχείριση των οποίων παρατηρούνται δυο τάσεις: α) εγκατάλειψη και β) μικρού βαθμού στροφή, αλλά με αυξητική τάση, προς τη βιολογική (οργανική) ελαιοκαλλιέργεια. Αντικείμενο της έρευνας αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση των μηχανισμών και η κατεύθυνση προς την οποία οι πρακτικές διαχείρισης (συμβατική, βιολογική, εγκατάλειψη) κατευθύνουν την εξέλιξη (μεταβολή) των οικοσυστημάτων των ελαιώνων, καθώς και των επιπτώσεων αυτών των πρακτικών στη βιοποικιλότητα.Οι ειδικότεροι στόχοι της έρευνας αφορούσαν στη συγκριτική μελέτη αντιπροσωπευτικών 1) συμβατικών, 2) βιολογικών, 3) εγκαταλειμμένων ελαιώνων και 4) γειτονικών φυσικών οικοσυστημάτων (μακί) όσο αφορά σε επιλεγμένα συνθετικά της βιοποικιλότητας, ήτοι α) φυτική ποικιλότητα, β) δομή, πυκνότητα και ποικιλότητα των κοινοτήτων πουλιών, των γαιοσκωλήκων, των επίγειων κολεόπτερων, των ισόποδων, καθώς και παραμέτρων του εδάφους, όπως α) φυσικοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά και β) εδαφική διάβρωση. Επίσης, στόχο αποτέλεσε η ανάδειξη αγροτικών και περιβαλλοντικών δεικτών του πλούτου της χλωρίδας, της πανίδας και των αποδόσεων των ελαιώνων κάτω από διαφορετικό σύστημα διαχείρισης. Επιπλέον, η έρευνα στόχευε στο να αναδείξει «είδη-δείκτες» που ευνοούνται από συγκεκριμένα συστήματα διαχείρισης των ελαιώνων, ώστε να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως εργαλεία παρακολούθησης των οικοσυστημάτων των ελαιώνων στη μελλοντική τους διαχείριση. Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων που συγκεντρώθηκαν έδειξε ότι σε μια παραγωγική αλλά και σε μια μη παραγωγική χρονιά, οι συμβατικοί ελαιώνες απέφεραν ελαφρώς μη σημαντικά υψηλότερες κατά μέσο όρο αποδόσεις σε σχέση με τους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες, τόσο στην παραγωγή ελαιόλαδου όσο και στην παραγωγή βρώσιμης ελιάς. Αναφορικά με τη συνολική οικονομική πρόσοδο, αυτή ήταν υψηλότερη στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες σε σχέση με τους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες της περιοχής έρευνας. Η επίδραση του συστήματος διαχείρισης των ελαιώνων αποδείχθηκε σημαντική σε συγκεκριμένα φυσικοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά του εδάφους (Ικανότητα Ανταλλαγής Κατιόντων, φώσφορος, οργανική ουσία, νιτρικά άλατα, αμμωνιακά άλατα, ολικό άζωτο, αναλογία άνθρακα προς άζωτο και φαινομενική πυκνότητα εδάφους). Η Ικανότητα Ανταλλαγής Κατιόντων, η συγκέντρωση φωσφόρου, το ποσοστό οργανικής ουσίας και η αναλογία C/N του εδάφους βρέθηκε να υπερέχουν στα μακί και στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες, ενώ οι συγκεντρώσεις του ολικού Ν, των NO3-, των NH4+ και της φαινομενικής πυκνότητας του εδάφους διαπιστώθηκε να υπερέχουν στους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες. Το είδος της διάβρωσης που παρατηρήθηκε ήταν η επιφανειακή κατά στρώσεις διάβρωση (interrill erosion) στους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες και κατά τόπους στους βιολογικούς και τους εγκαταλειμμένους ελαιώνες. Στους συμβατικούς ελαιώνες καταγράφηκε διπλάσια ποσότητα αποσπώμενων (διαβρούμενων) υλικών από ότι στους βιολογικούς και εγκαταλειμμένους ελαιώνες, και τριπλάσια σε σχέση με τα μακί. Αντίθετα, στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες παρατηρήθηκε ίση ποσότητα διαβρούμενων υλικών με τους εγκαταλειμμένους ελαιώνες και τα μακί. Η παρούσα έρευνα ανέδειξε τη σημαντικότητα της εφαρμογής του βιολογικού συστήματος διαχείρισης στους ελαιώνες αναφορικά με την ενίσχυση της βιοποικιλότητας. Συγκεκριμένα στους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες, διαπιστώθηκε μια τάση για αύξηση της ποικιλότητας και της πυκνότητας των εξής συνιστωσών της βιοποικιλότητας: ποώδη φυτά κατά τη χειμερινή και εαρινή περίοδο, ξυλώδη φυτά, διαχειμάζοντα και αναπαραγόμενα είδη πουλιών, ασπόνδυλα (γαιοσκώληκες, έντομα των οικογενειών Carabidae και Tenebrionidae, ισόποδα). Η τάση αυτή προσομοιάζει τους βιολογικούς ελαιώνες ως ένα βαθμό, με τα γειτονικά φυσικά οικοσυστήματα (μακί). Διαπιστώθηκε ότι η εντατικοποίηση της ελαιοκαλλιέργειας υποβαθμίζει το έδαφος με την εφαρμογή φυτοφαρμάκων και ανόργανων χημικών λιπασμάτων και μειώνει τη βιοποικιλότητα. Η σύνθεση, η δομή και η φυσιογνωμία, των τουλάχιστον για 12 έτη εγκαταλειμμένων ελαιώνων, προσομοιάζει με αυτή των γειτονικών φυσικών οικοσυστημάτων (μακί), αν και υπάρχουν κάποιες βασικές διαφορές ως προς την φυτική και πανιδική πυκνότητα και ποικιλότητα.Επιπλέον, για τα μελετηθέντα συστήματα διαχείρισης ελαιώνων και τα μακί αναδείχθηκαν είδη-δείκτες των χειμερινών και εαρινών ποωδών και ξυλωδών φυτών, των γαιοσκωλήκων, των Carabidae, των Tenebrionidae, των ισοπόδων, των διαχειμαζόντων και αναπαραγόμενων ειδών πουλιών, οι οποίοι μπορούν να αποτελέσουν τη βάση για εξαγωγή χρήσιμων συμπερασμάτων και λήψη αποφάσεων που θα συμβάλλουν στην αειφορική διαχείριση της ελαιοκαλλιέργειας
Comparing conventional and organic olive groves in central Greece: plant and bird diversity and abundance
No full textThe present study was conducted in Magnesia Prefecture, central Greece, during the period May-June 2007. It aimed at the comparison between conventional and certified organic olive groves with regard to olive and olive oil production, diversity of plants (herbaceous and woody) and diversity and abundance of avifauna. Correlations between variables within herbaceous plants (linear regression) and woody plants (Principal Component Analysis), and the role of integration time of olive groves to the organic system were investigated. Also, finding easily measurable parameters indicating high bird diversity levels within organic and conventional management systems was a main target of the study. According to our findings, neither edible olive yield nor olive oil yield showed significant differences between conventional and certified organic olive groves. There is an increasing trend for alpha and beta diversity of herbaceous plant species, woody plant beta diversity, density and cover of woody plants, and density of breeding birds in certified organic olive groves (10 years) in comparison with conventional ones. The effect of time since the adoption of organic procedures is very important and produces benefits for the biodiversity. In the total olive groves 15 insectivorous, six granivorous and three insectivorous/granivorous birds species were recorded. Nine bird species distinguished by Ward's hierarchical clustering were identified as typical (indicator value, IndVal>50%) of specific farming systems. Among them, the Eurasian jay, associated with the 10-year certified organic olive groves, and the common cuckoo, Orphean warbler and Red-backed shrike, associated with the 6-year certified organic olive groves, should be regarded as characteristic species (IndVal>70%). Conclusively, organic farming favors some aspects of diversity of herbaceous and woody plants of olive grove ecosystems. On the contrary, similar effects on breeding bird diversity and density were not clearly recorded. However, breeding bird density proved a good indicator of their richness
Contribution of Agro-Environmental Factors to Yield and Plant Diversity of Olive Grove Ecosystems (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.) in the Mediterranean Landscape
No full textOlive cultivation (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most significant sources of income for agricultural areas in the Mediterranean basin, and the olive oil industry as well as the environmental protection are an important part of the Greek agricultural sector. Generalized Linear Models were applied in order to investigate the predictive strength of several biodiversity components and agro-environmental factors for yield and herbaceous plant diversity (species richness) in organic and conventional olive groves of Greece. Our study highlights an increase in yields of organic olive groves by increasing manure application and the earthworms’ density. In the conventional olive groves, yields increase by increasing soil organic matter and the application of inorganic fertilizer N. Also, the herbaceous plant species richness increases with increasing the Shannon diversity index of herbaceous plants, the field area, the application of organic fertilizer K and the manure in organic olive groves. As for the conventional ones, herbaceous plant species richness increases with the increase of the application of inorganic fertilizer N. Moreover, some plant species could be regarded as indicators of the differently managed olive groves. Conclusively, this study contributes to the integration of biodiversity conservation with ecologically sustainable agriculture and conservation of agroecosystem. Finally, it could be utilized as a decision and management tool to the scientific and agricultural community reinforcing the knowledge about the agro-environmental impact in olive grove management systems
Urban Green Spaces as an Effective Tool to Regulate Urban Climate and Biodiversity: Current Research and Challenges
No full textUrban green spaces (UGSs) are at the cutting edge of recent research, due to their ability to provide critical ecosystem services, and improve citizens’ quality of life and public health [...
PATTERNS OF HERBACEOUS PLANT SPECIES RICHNESS, COMPOSITION AND SOIL PROPERTIES IN AN ORGANIC CULTIVATION
No full textMonitoring Reclamation of Plant Biodiversity and Soil Parameters in an Area of Bauxite Mine Spoils (A Case Study of Greece)
No full textIn order to assess plant biodiversity in bauxite mine spoils, a fully randomized experiment was carried out with five treatments to find the ones that would best restore the soil and plant biodiversity in the spring seasons of 2020 and 2021. In the studied area, 68 plant species belonging to 54 genera with high ecological value that comprise the flora and represent 19 families were identified. Concerning the herbaceous plant species richness in several treatments, the highest value was calculated in the treatment of sludge (52 plant species), followed by the treatment of soil in the area (39), whereas the lowest plant species richness was recorded in the treatment of fertilization (27), the incorporation of soil with soils (26), and control (27), so our findings indicate that the area where sludge was applied showed the highest nutrient enrichment as well as the highest plant biodiversity, plant cover, and biomass. Apart from sludge, the mineral soil around the area was also composed of some materials that provided good results with regard to plant parameters. The main problems with the properties of the mine spoil material were the low organic matter content and the low clay percentage. The use of sludge, probably in combination with the soil around the area, might alleviate these problems. The plant parameters (Shannon diversity index, plant cover, and biomass) correlated positively and significantly with most of the macronutrients and micronutrients in soils
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