ACTION  A.1: Agreements among partners and setting up of the action

One kick-off meeting of at least 2-days will be organized in Keramoti (Greece) at the very beginning of the Project (month 1) in order to plan and organise the project’s activities at a technical and administrative level. This meeting will be organized by the Coordinating Beneficiary and attended by all the other Beneficiaries. Formal agreements will be developed by the Lead Applicant (HSPN) and will be signed within 3 months with all the Beneficiaries. Such agreements are needed to define roles and responsibilities according to the competences of the Beneficiaries as well as the submitted Project proposal. 

A detailed plan of actions will be also put in place and used as path-road for the whole project’s life. Revisions and updating will be put in place if needed. Time plan, estimation of expenses, estimation of cash-flow, human resources and skills needed and all other information to implement the project will be set up by month 6.

Beneficiary responsible for implementation:

HSPN

 As for human resources needed for this activity, at this stage is it foreseen that HSPN will engage:

• the Project Coordinator will work for 12 days (recruited under Action F2);
• an Administrative Clerk for each partner will work for 10 days (except for the CB);
• a Referent at the technical and scientific level of the project for each partner will work for 10 days;
• the Project Manager (recruited under Action F2).

ACTION  A.2: Topographic survey

The action is essential for the proper implementation of action C3 and to support a large number of other Actions. Detailed knowledge of the local topography and the hydrographic network is necessary to identify a suitable area for the water tank and the distribution channel that works by natural gravity following the terrain slope. Therefore, understanding where the surface water naturally accumulates or flows out it is of crucial importance.

A topographic relief, with particular emphasis on dimension and local hydrographic surveying, is carried out in the Palo Laziale forest (40 ha) and in SCI of Nestos Delta (GR1150010), focusing on the area occupied by the habitats 3170* and 91E0, to obtain high-resolution vector digital mapping topography. The topographic survey and the resulting map have absolute priority, and it is performed over the first year of the project.

As part of the preparatory work included in action A2, a further hydrological survey is carried out to measure the seasonal water supply of the Nestos River, and to determine water flow to temporary ponds, if any, and to the alluvial forest (91E0*). This further assessment in Nestos is necessary to design the subsequent hydraulic works properly. River levels necessary to inundate the 91E0* areas is also determined. If required for comparison and creation of time-series, historical data on river flow are provided by the competent Local Authority for Land Reclamation and the School of Geology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. River discharge measurement is carried out using the conventional current meter method or natural tracer techniques. The former, the most used approach, it is based on the determination of the mean flow velocity and the cross-sectional area; the product of these two variables determines the flow rate of the stream. If this method of measurement is not applicable (for example, when the water depth is small and the flow rate high the irregular section and the strong turbulence decrease the precision of depth and speed measurement) an alternative technique is adopted. An example consists of introducing a tracer in the water and determining its dilution at a downstream point. The measurement with the dilution method can be useful where the current meter does not, and vice versa, so these techniques are complementary.

The data generated, along with the output of action A4, contribute to Actions C3 and C5.

Beneficiary responsible for implementation:

The action will be coordinated by Dep. DICEA, Sapienza University of Rome, relying on the following human resources:

• an Associate Professor for designing and supervising the survey and its digital map,
• a Topographic technician, with a specific contract for this work, who will be concerned with the topographic survey execution and its digital map implementation, 
• a Hydrogeologist who will be concerned with the hydrological survey in Nestos.

ACTION  A.3: Preliminary soil analysis

The Action consists of a series of soil surveys over the whole 50 hectares of Palo woods, and in the priority habitats of Nestos Delta. It is performed on at least 30 sample plots (15 in Palo Laziale and 15 in the Nestos Delta), broadly distributed within the two project areas. Soil samplings are manually performed (manual auger) at a depth of 1 meter. The samples are analysed in the laboratory with the appropriated methodology to evaluate, at the start of the Project, salinity and sodium levels and the clay concentration in the soils. The data are spatialised using GIS to obtain digital maps with relative measurements. The final report includes a protocol reporting the analyses and the results of this Action.

- Salinity and sodium

Past surveys conducted in Palo Laziale have identified high values for both parameters. The soil salinisation is among the hypothesised causes of the Palo Laziale's woodland decline (habitat 91M0) and may also possibly affect 91E0* in Nestos Delta. Such condition in Palo Laziale has favoured the creation of stressful conditions for tree plants, ordinarily susceptible to high salinity and sodium values. These conditions enhance the pathogenicity of the opportunistic fungus such as Biscougnaxia mediterranea. High values of salinity restrict the absorption of nutrients and water radically, weakening plants and favouring the fungal pathogen invasion. The measured values are useful for assessing the extent of the phenomenon at the start of the Project, and the effectiveness of the restoration actions, particularly Action C3, since the increased delivery of water to the soil is expected to contribute to the removal of the excess salts.

- Clay distribution

The presence of a layer of clay in the soil is an indispensable condition for the formation and permanency of temporary ponds (habitat 3170*), considering that in this natural context they are formed following the accumulation and stagnation of rainwater over impermeable surfaces. The knowledge of where the clay layer is present and distributed represents an indispensable baseline for the realisation of the new temporary ponds foreseen under Action C2.

The surveys and the soil data elaboration are carried over the first year of the Project using the same methodology in both sites. The Action is necessary for evaluating the physical-chemical features of the soils within the Wood of Palo Laziale and the SCI of Nestos Delta.

Beneficiary responsible for implementation:

Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome (DEB)

IMFE (DEMETER)

DEB employs:

• a Soil Technician to formulate a specific protocol of soil analysis and monitor the environmental works, analysis and final report.
• a qualified and graduated Soil Technician (external) to carry out soil sampling, perform laboratory tests and produce the final report.

 IMFE employs:

• a Soil Technician to formulate a specific protocol of soil analysis and monitor the environmental works, analysis and final report.
• a qualified and graduated Soil Technician (external) to carry out soil sampling, perform laboratory tests and produce the final report.

This action is necessary to quantify the changes in the climate trend of Palo Laziale and Nestos Delta that may have taken place in the last few decades at the local level and the consequent effects on the habitats of Palo Laziale Wood Nestos Delta SCI. 

At the first step of the Action, a geo-based climate database is created using data provided by the Integrated Agro-Meteorological Service (SIARL) of ARSIAL for Italy, and from the National Meteorological Authority and Laboratory of Meteorology of the School of Geology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for Greece. The data, conveniently elaborated, provide a precise picture of the local trend of temperature and precipitation over the last decades. It will thus be possible to assess the extent of climate change at the local level and to evaluate its effect on habitats (3170*, 5230*, 91M0 and 91E0*) regarding increased aridity due to the rise in temperatures and the decrease in precipitation. Based on the results and the conclusions of the climatic analyses, it will be possible to assess the water availability in these ecosystems, also crossing data with those from forest cover (action A5). The collected data will also be useful for the implementation of the Water Management Plan provided for in Action C5 to define the best strategies for the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. A final report describing the data achievement and processing will be drafted.

Beneficiary responsible for implementation:

Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome (DEB)

ARSIAL

IMFE (DEMETER)

DEB employs:

• a Researcher, with experience in environmental modelling, for the validation of the protocol, the acquisition and analysis of climatic data, and supervision of the final report.
• an Expert in climatic studies, specifically contracted, with experience in the creation of climatic databases and environmental modelling, which will gather data and create a georeferenced climatic database, and prepare a final report.

IMFE employs:

• a Researcher, with experience in environmental modelling, for the validation of the protocol, the acquisition and analysis of climatic data, and supervision of the final report.
• an Expert in climatic studies, specifically contracted, with experience in the creation of climatic databases and environmental modelling, which will gather data and create a georeferenced climatic database, and prepare a final report.

ACTION  A.5: Structure and Dynamics of Wood Ecosystem

The action consists of a forest survey and elaboration of forest indicators to provide a precise and current description of the composition, structure and regeneration of the Palo Laziale floodplain oak forest (habitat 91M0) and alluvial forest (91E0*) in Nestos Delta. Past monitoring efforts carried out in Palo Laziale have identified a forest in considerable decline with also a massive deterioration of the associated habitats. From this, the need for designing this project of habitat restoration. The action is essential to verify and quantify the current status of decline, and to calibrate correctly and to apply the ecological recovery measures (Action C.5).

The survey is carried out in at least 15 permanent areas of study in each SCI (at least 15 in Palo Laziale and 15 in Nestos Delta). The location of these plots are recorded using a GPS receiver to enable repeating of the survey in the same test areas under the monitoring action D4.

In these GPS-located sites, according to a specific protocol:

• all the tree and shrub species present are identified (in Nestos also alien invasive species are recorded);
• measurements of the diameter of the plants with a diameter greater than 5 cm are taken through dendrometric easel;
• tree distance is measured in each test area using a laser spacer;
• the height of the seedlings in the established forest renewal is measured (i.e. all seedlings with a diameter less than 2.5 cm and heights above 20 cm), also identifying the species.

Afterwards, data processing is carried out by the forest technician to define:

• plant composition (percentage of the different tree and shrub species per hectare);
• plant density (per hectare);
• plant coverage (basin area per hectare);
• plant average.

Diameter distribution curves are also verified by applying the Weibull function.

As far as concerning the regeneration are calculated:

• the regeneration index (cm of renovation per square meter) to identify the renewal rate;
• the average height of regeneration.

The area covered by this action includes about 50 hectares of the forest of Palo Laziale. In Nestos Delta, the sampling area has a similar extent and includes the 3170* and 91E0* priority habitats. The action is carried out over the first spring/summer (vegetative season). A final report containing the field survey, the data processing and the final results is prepared. These findings will also be used for the preparation of the Sustainable Forest Strategic Management Plan (SFSMP) provided for in Action C4.

Beneficiary responsible for implementation:

ARSIAL will be responsible for the implementation of the Action in Palo Laziale.

IMFE will be responsible for the implementation of the Action in Nestos Delta.

ARSIAL employs:

• a Technical Officer expert to validate the protocol for data gathering and processing, and the final report;
• a Forestry Technician with documented experience in the field of monitoring of forest ecosystems and GIS techniques, to implement field activities, data gathering and processing, as well as the realisation of the relevant cartographies and final reports.

IMFE employs:

• a Researcher to validate the protocol for data gathering and processing, and the final report;
• a Forestry Technician with documented experience in the field of monitoring of forest ecosystems and GIS techniques, to implement field activities, data gathering and processing, as well as the realisation of the relevant cartographies and final reports.

ACTION  A.6: Determination of vegetation structure and flora and fauna composition and phenology in the Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170*)

This action concerns the biotic component of the Mediterranean temporary pond ecosystems (3170*) of the two project sites (GR1150010 and IT603002). It includes an ecological study which will define the reference state of the biotic communities (flora and fauna, including invertebrates) and a follow-up study during the second year of the project which will assess the amplitude and frequency of natural variations in the biota. Moreover, most of the plant, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians are excellent bioindicators of the conservation status of the ponds, being very sensitive to physical changes and disturbance.

Plants: vegetation structure and flora composition are studied by 1-3 transects placed to cover the spatial succession of the communities of each pond, depending on their area, bathymetry and duration of flooding. Cover-abundance of all flora species is recorded in a grid set along the transects. In temporary ponds, there is also a seasonal succession of plant communities which follows the water level changes from the wet to the dry phase, so sampling for species determination will take place 2-4 times annually, depending on the hydrological characteristics of each pond (e.g. Isoetes spp.). The activity aims to describe the vegetation zonation and succession of all ponds (both in Greece and Italy), to identify the characteristic and keystone species of the different plant communities, and to determine their relationship with the abiotic factors and the seasonal and interannual variation. In Nestos, the phenology (germination, growth, flowering, fruiting, dispersal) of the characteristic plants (e.g., Cyperus flavensvens, Cyperus  fuscus,  Fimbristylis  bisumbellata,  Lythrum  salicaria,  Mentha  arvensis,  Plantago  intermedia, Portulaca oleracea, Juncus articulatus) is also assessed through monthly or bi-monthly visits, and phenological diagrams are drawn. The activity is carried out mostly by the staff of the National Park of Nestos (EMTNP) which will be instructed and trained accordingly. The training will also provide valuable knowledge and experience to EMTNP staff for after-LIFE monitoring and continuation of activities.

Reptiles and amphibians: the reptiles and amphibians that have been found around the temporary ponds of the two sites include the Annex II 92/43/EEC species Bombina variegata (Greece), Testuto greace (Greece), Eurotestudo hermanni (Greece and Italy) and Emys orbicularis (Greece and Italy). The Bern Convention also protects the first three of these species. Of them, Emys orbicularis is directly associated with the wet phase of the ponds. The inventory will include larvae sampling by pond net during a specified period in all possible microhabitats, a survey of eggs, trapping of adults, detection of reproductive sites through the identification of mating calls. Surveys will be monthly from March till October (a total of at least eight surveys per year).

Invertebrates: the invertebrate fauna of the temporary ponds of the two sites is unknown. It consists of an important part of aquatic biocenoses since, in general, insects constitute from 60–70% of the total number of species present over a complete hydrological cycle. It is expected that freshwater invertebrates belonging mainly to flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes), roundworms (Phylum Nematoda), rotifers (Phylum Rotifera), leeches and freshwater oligochaetes (Phylum Annelida), snails and mussels (Phylum Mollusca), crustaceans (Subphylum Crustacea) and insects (Subphylum Hexapoda) may be present in the temporary ponds. Population surveys will be carried out in sampling quadrats using pond nets and hand collecting. Flying adults of freshwater insects are surveyed using transects. All surveys are carried out from March till October (a total of at least eight surveys per year).

The survey of the invertebrates is necessary because they consist an important part of aquatic biocenoses (e.g., insects constitute from 60–70% of the total number of species present over a complete hydrological cycle).

Larger animals (mammals and birds) seen or heard in the area of the ponds during surveys and observation visits are also recorded.

The results for all plants, animals and invertebrates will be analysed and possible interactions identified. There is hardly any data on the composition, structure and function of the biotic communities of the ponds in the study sites. This knowledge is essential for sound management and will identify possible problems (e.g., caused by predation and competition). It is not possible to specify where, how, and with which flora species, restoration of the communities (Action C2) will be implemented if their current situation and relation to abiotic factors (established by Actions A2, A3) are unknown. Also, it is not possible to monitor the results of the conservation Actions (through Action D3) if the initial status of the biotic communities is unknown. This baseline is right for any type of biotic community, but even more so for temporary ponds which present high spatial and temporal variation. In addition, Action A2 will contribute to the selection of the minimum required parameters for after-LIFE monitoring.

The survey of the biotic communities of the ponds is carried out over at least 2 years due to the significant interannual variations in hydrology (see Action A2). The vegetation is organised in belts along hydrological gradients. Thus the interannual variation of hydrology causes a change in the spatial succession of plant communities. Moreover, substantial interannual variations can also occur in the breeding of the amphibians. Data on the interannual, seasonal and spatial series and phenology of the biota are finally necessary to draw specifications for the ex-situ conservation measures of the key stones (Action C6).

The survey of the protected reptiles and amphibians is necessary because: a) they are excellent bioindicators of the conservation status of the ponds, being very sensitive to physical changes and disturbance; and b) the temporary ponds in SCI IT603002 are essential for the survival of Emys orbicularis and Eurotestudo hermanni. The survey of the invertebrates is necessary because they consist of an important part of aquatic biocenoses (e.g., insects constitute from 60–70% of the total number of species present over a complete hydrological cycle).

Beneficiary responsible for implementation:

HSPN
DEB