Wetland adaptation in Attica Region, Greece

The Region of Attica is called on to combine the needs arising from human overpopulation, various activities and often competitive land use through the proper and sustainable management and protection of the natural environment in its spatial jurisdiction. Wetlands constitute a significant element of the natural environment, not only as ecosystems for the conservation of different species, but also as part of the water bodies of the region, as recreational areas or even as areas for the development of activities, which must be managed and protected by the state.

Within the territory of the Region of Attica, there are still wetlands that should certainly not be overlooked, both in terms of their number and significance. In particular, more than 100 wetlands have been recorded in Attica: streams and their estuaries, coastal marshes and lagoons, lakes and constructed wetlands. They now constitute “biodiversity islands” within a broadly degraded environment and offer the inhabitants of the Attica Region the opportunity to stay in touch with nature, which is situated very near their place of residence.

For the purpose of conserving the wetlands of Attica, it is deemed necessary to adopt an adaptation strategy, which is expected to mitigate the impacts on wetlands of the combined effects of anthropogenic interventions and climate change.

The constitutive elements of this strategy include sustainable management and restoration of wetlands; their interconnection in a “green arc”; the evaluation of the services provided from a social and economic aspect; awareness raising and environmental education in matters of biodiversity and climate change, as well as citizen participation and activation.

In Attica, more than 100 wetlands have been recorded, which include streams and estuaries, coastal marshes and lagoons, lakes and artificial wetlands. Their importance lies both in their ecological value, and, mainly, to the fact that they are "islands of biodiversity" within a broader degraded environment and allow contact of the inhabitants with nature. Wetland conservation and/or restoration, their use for recreation and environmental interpretation and their connection to a "green belt" in the Attica Region are strategic priorities in view of upgrading the environment and improving the quality of life of citizens of Attica Region. Especially in view of Attica wetlands role in climate change adaptation, the case study involves monitoring and assessing of the environmental quality of wetland areas in Attica Region and study of drought deterioration in the future.

The case study resulted in a Wetalnd Adaptation Strategy which determined an action plan. This action plan includes priority adaptation measuses such as:

• Increase connectivity of natural areas.
• Mitigate other threats, i.e. invasive species, fragmentation, pollution.
• Study response of species to climate change physiological, behavioral, demographic.
• Increase number and size of protected areas.
• Increase and maintain monitoring programs.
• Initiate long-term studies of species responses to climate and model species ranges in the future.
• Practice adaptive management.
• Improve inter-agency, regional coordination.
• Increase interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Institutional capacity enhancement to address climate change.
• Create education programs for public about landuse practices and effects on and with climate.

The latest actual practical implementation of Case study was on November 2014, with the training seminar “Adaptation strategy for Attica Wetlands: The assessment of wetland vulnerability index” and with an open dissemination event.

During the seminar, around 30 participants from services of Attica Region, NGOs, research institutes, and foreign participants (from Serbia and Romania), received hands-on training on the Wetland Vulnerability Indicator assessment methodology.

During the dissemination event, around 80 participants from services and municipalities of Attica Region, central services of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, NGOS, research institutes and from other sectors such as archaeologists, received information on Attica wetland vulnerability due to expected increase of drought and on the adaptation action plan that should be implemented in the coming years.

Both events were organized by Attica Region and scientifically supported by the Greek Biotope Wetland Centre (EKBY). From the beginning of the case study implementation, Attica Region, had engaged a wide range of stakeholders and implemented several awareness actions through media and during workshops. Therefore, participants of the final events, were very much motivated and showed strong interest to increase their knowledge and capacity in order to become capable to take action towards climate change adaptation and wetland conservation.

The factors that were decisive for a successful implementation:
(a) Coordinator of the case study was the the Environment Directorate of the Region of Attica, which has  – as a part of its responsibility to specify the environmental policy guidelines at the regional level – focused on the conservation and protection of wetland ecosystems in view of climate change.
(b) The forumlated wetland adaptation strategy followed a participative process. There was early engagement and strong collaboration with various end users: central, regional and local services, other authorities, research agencies, environmental organisations and interested citizens. They were encouraged to take action through interviews, information meetings, workshops and training seminars. Experiences were exchanged; weaknesses and good/bad practices in the management and protection of Attica’s wetland wealth were recorded; and the value of conserving wetlands and the need to adapt to climate change were promoted.

The factors that hindered in the process and needed to be overcome:
There were no hindered factors during the implementation of the case study. However, limitations will be needed to be overcome at the next stage which is the imlementation of the proposed Wetland adaptation action plan. These have their roots in: availability of funds, operational capacity of involved services and bodies to take the proposed adaptation measures, regulation of land uses in view of wetland protection and restoration.

At the heart of this case study is the formulation of the wetland adaptation strategy and action plan. The implementation of the proposed action plan is expected to mitigate the impacts on Attica wetlands of the combined effects of anthropogenic interventions and climate change. In specific, positive outcomes will be:

• improving knowledge about climate change and its influence on species, habitats and ecosystem functions;
• conservation actions: This includes, among others, conservation and restoration of wetlands as Green Infrastructure elements;
• sustainable use of natural resource: Strict enforcement of measures to prevent and combat pollution. Investments to promote efficient and sustainable water use,  wastewater treatment, irrigation, etc.;
• land use planning for conserving wetlands in the context of promoting a coherent and non- polluting city;
• environmental interpretation: Enhancing environmental awareness, development of information centers and other interpretation infrastructure, protection and restoration of monuments and landscapes related to water etc.;
• governance: Supporting environmental control mechanisms. Networking and sharing of good practice, training;
• business: Fostering the support from industry (e.g. reduced emissions, biodiversity friendly activities etc.).

Wetlands are ecosystems of exceptional importance, not only because they have become so rare and endangered, but because they perform highly important functions, provide the necessary resources for a large number of human activities and constitute a valuable natural and cultural heritage, and can act as auspice against climate change. They:

• reduce the catastrophic consequences of floods;
• their vegetation stabilises the coasts by reducing the effect of waves and currents;
• they improve water quality by trapping sediments, nutrients and toxic substances;
• allow for the development of economic activities.

Legislation framework
The national operational plan for 2014-2020
The national strategy and action programme on biodiversity
The national law on biodiversity
The Master Plan of Athens/Attica 2021
The River Basin Management Plan-Attica Water District (in the context of the Water Framework Directive imlementation)

Institutional opportunities
The Region of Attica, is a Metropolitan Region. It is the first that has been mobilized towards an adaptation Strategy in regard to natural ecosystems, involving local authorities in its area, social groups, environmental organisations and research institutions for the protection of the wetlands in its jurisdiction

Muninincipalities of Attica Region are mobilzied to take adapation actions in the context of their local operational plans.

The Wetland Adaptation Strategy has been formulated during the OrientGate project life time: 2012 – 2014 and it is the result of the integration of climate knowledge into policy and planning.

First stage of the wetland action plan implementation. 5 years (2015 – 2020)
Next stages (beyond 2020) have to be replanned based on the outcomes of the first stage.

Case Study Coordinator
Dr. Argyro Paraskevopoulou
Attica Region l Greece l Sygrou Avenue 15 l Athens l
11741 l Greece l Tel.: (30-213) 2101107 l
Email: argyro.paraskevopoulou@patt.gov.gr l
www.patt.gov.gr

Case Study Scientific Contact
Dr. Eleni Fitoka
Greek Biotope Wetland Centre (EKBY) l Greece l
14th kilometre Thessaloniki - Mihaniona l
57001 Thermi l Thessaloniki Greece l
Tel.: (30-231) 0473432 l Email: helenf@ekby.gr