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Biodiversity in Greece and the role of the NATURA 2000 network

Biodiversity in Greece and the role of the NATURA 2000 network presented by the Elegktiko Synedrio (Hellenic Court of Audit ) Theologia Gnardelli Second rank judge. Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio Summit in 1992 (preserve the world biodiversity)

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Biodiversity in Greece and the role of the NATURA 2000 network

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  1. Biodiversity in Greece and the role of the NATURA 2000 network presented by the Elegktiko Synedrio (Hellenic Court of Audit ) Theologia Gnardelli Second rank judge

  2. Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio Summit in 1992 (preserve the world biodiversity) The next steps to promote the protection of natural resources: Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Introduction

  3. Four different levels of biodiversity, each having its own special value while at the same time being an inseparable part of the whole: • that of genetic diversity • of species biodiversity • of habitat diversity • of landscape diversity (including not only natural habitats but also man-made ecosystems such as farmland and human habitations)

  4. Directive 92/43 of the EEC Council of 21 May 1992 The Habitat Directive: • aims at contributing to the preservation of biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora within the territory of the Member States of the European Union • provides for the development of a network of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), called NATURA 2000 which aims at ensuring a protection status for the natural habitats and species of Community interest.

  5. The NATURA 2000 network • This network will consist of sites that host various types of natural habitats and flora and fauna species listed in Annexes I and II respectively. It is expected that the above network will ensure the conservation and hopefully the restoration of the various types of natural habitats and habitats of species within their natural boundaries.

  6. I.THE HELLENIC HABITAT PROJECT • The implementation of the Directive 92/43/EEC in Hellas started in June 1994 with the execution of the project Inventory, Identification, Evaluation and Mapping of the Habitat types and Flora and Fauna species in Hellas • It was approved by the competent Community committees (Habitat Committee 3-4/6/94 and Life Committee 5-6/10/94)

  7. It has been executed by the Goulandris Natural History Museum through the Hellenic Biotope/Wetland Centre (EKBY), in co-operation with the Schools of Biology at the Universities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras between 1/6/1994 and 31/3/1996, following a three-month extension.

  8. The project was funded 75% by the EU and 25% by the Hellenic National Authorities, i.e, the Ministry of Environment, Phusical Planning and Public Works and the Ministry of Agriculture (General Secreteriat of Forests and Natural Environment). • The total amount of funding came up to 1,301,333 ECUs.

  9. II. DIRECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION - SITE SELECTION PROCEDURE • In the framework of the project, 296 sites were selected and studied mainly with regard to the habitat types of Annex I and the plant and animal species of Annex II. • A significant number of other important species which occur in Greece, not included in Annex IIwere also identified and recorded(see table 1)

  10. The studied sites cover the entire country • Altogether they cover 18% of the land surface of Greece, or approximately 2,360,000 ha, excluding the entirely marine sites. • The choice and delineation of the above sites based on a combination of two approaches: biodiversity and landscape ecology

  11. The first phase of the project was completed on 20 April 1995, when all the Standard Data Forms (SDF) were returned to EKBY. • This was followed by evaluation and checking of the data in the SDFs. • A preliminary list of sites was communicated to the associated services in September 1994 for comments and suggestions.

  12. In June 1995 an evaluated list of sites was sent to the associated services (the ministries of Environment and Agriculture) and the European Commission (DG-XI). • The preliminary delineation of the studied sites (maps in scale 1:100,000) were also included in the package.

  13. In December 1995 the final version of the database (diskettes) and the completed Standard Data Forms (paper) were promptly sent to the associated services and the EU. • Following the three month extension of the project (until 31/3/1996) an updated version of the Database and maps with the final boundaries of the sites were developed.

  14. III. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED SITES • Several interesting conclusions can be drawn from the statistics of the results risen during the course of this research. The distribution of proposed “Natura 2000” sites in the different administrative regions of Greece is shown in Fig.1.

  15. Fig. A.1Distribution of Fig. 1 Distribution of proposed Natura 2000 sites in the administrative regions of Greece.

  16. The area covered by the proposed sites in relation to the total area of thirteen different administrative regions of Greece, is shown in Fig.2.

  17. Regarding site magnitude, small sites (0-1000 ha) make up around 15% of all sites, whereas almost one third of the sites are medium-sized (1001-5000 ha) (Fig.3).

  18. Generally the majority of sites are mountainous (Fig.4) which reflects the mountainous character of the country. • On the other hand, almost one third of the sites have a maximum altitude of 300 m, mainly consisting of valleys, coasts, marine areas, etc.

  19. IV. THE FORMER LAKE KARLA REHABILITATION • During the last century, Greece has lost more than two thirds of its original wetland area, due to extensive drainage projects, started in 1889 with lake Kopais and terminated in 1973 with Agoulinitsa Lagoon. • The remaining wetlands have suffered from extensive degradation affecting most of their functions and values.

  20. In the last two decades the trend of wetland degradation in Greece is decelerating or even being reversed in some cases, with the funding of pilot or medium scale projects. • The most promising examples: the cases of the wetlands of Karla in Thessaly and Mavrouda in Macedonia where the restoration planning phases have already been approved and construction works are being in progress. • The important common feature of these two projects is the fact that they are both strongly supported by the local communities

  21. Site Name: KARLA-MAVROVOUNI-KEFALOVRYSO VELESTINOU

  22. The site includes Mavrovouni mountain, two water reservoirs at the area of the former Lake Karla (see photo 1) and the spring Kefalovryso in Velestino. Photo 1. A panoramic view of the place occupied by the ancient Lake Karla (the mythological god Apollo got married on its shores, when it was called Lake Veisis)

  23. The following elements indicate the ecological importance of the site: • It has a varied morphology, including a mountain, two water reservoirs-wetlands and a spring and a great variety of habitat types. • It shelters an interesting fauna of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, most of which are protected at a national and international level and are of Community interest. There are also several species of fish.

  24. Other elements: • The extended, well-conserved deciduous forests. • The rich variety of birds, especially raptors observed on Mavrovouni. • The reservoirs have partially replaced Lake Karla and a variety of wintering and migrating water birds and raptors use them. Many species have already been re-established in the wetland.

  25. The funding by the Operational Programme “Environment” • The rehabilitation of the former lake Karla has also been funded by the Operational Programme(O.P.) “Environment” which has been approved by the European Commission for the period of 2000-2006. • This Programme involves Community support for all Greek regions within the Objective 1 framework (regions lagging behind in their development) and under Priority 5 "Quality of life" of the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece.

  26. The total volume of investments amounts to 449,200 million euros with 321 million euros (71,46%) coming from the ERDF. • One of the Programme priorities is Priority 8: Management of protected natural sites and habitats (total cost 206,9 millions of euros – EU contribution: ERDF 141,15 millions of euros).

  27. Under this priority, measures will be taken for the protection, management and organisation of protected natural sites and habitats of the network NATURA 2000. • Under this priority, measures will be taken for the protection, management and organisation of protected natural sites and habitats of the network NATURA 2000. • In Greece, there are 26 natural sites covered by this network. • One of these is the site of the former lake Karla.

  28. The role of the Hellenic Court of Audit • The Hellenic Court of Audit does not carry out performance audit. • Nevertheless, by verifying the financial activity of the Public Administration, either a priori or a posteriori, it actually interferes in every activity of various bodies with financial results(revenues or expenses).

  29. It has also the possibility, through the receipts or payments, to examine directly the financial action itself and indirectly (incidentally) every other relevant administrative act, • so as to find out whether they are in accordance with the provisions for the nature protection, or the existing environmental conditions.

  30. Almost every administrative act produces generally a financial result, subject to the verification of the Hellenic Court of Audit • Consequently, the Court’s interference in the environmental activities is broad and can be important.

  31. The Elegktiko Synedrio (Hellenic Court of Audit) has conducted an audit on the former lake Karla rehabilitation, which is funded by the O.P. “Environment” • The audit was focused on the “Karla water reservoirs and related works”(of a total amount of 110.000.000 euros) and the “Technical consultant for the lake Karla rehabilitation” (of a total amount of 1.555.000 euros).

  32. This audit was a financial one (legality and regularity audit) • It has been carried out on a sample basis by means of compliance tests and audit questionnaires (sent to the auditee before the on the spot visit of the audit team. • The audit report has not been finalized yet.

  33. CONCLUSIONS • The conservation of biodiversity at all levels is not a romantic ideal but a precondition for the sustainable management of natural resources, and consequently for the survival of man himself. • The implementation of Directive 92/43/EEC for the conservation of natural habitats and wildlife and the creation of the European NATURA 2000 network will contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.

  34. Furthermore, a significant number of habitat types and an even larger number of native endangered species of Greece have been left out of these Annexes. • The competent Greek authorities must work to ensure that these habitat types and native plant and animal species are included in the forthcoming adaptation of the Directive.

  35. The Elegktiko Synedrio should discover ways to accompany and support the public administration efforts for the nature protection so as to contribute in the near future to the exchange of knowledge and experience on this subject. • Retaining however its traditional auditing role and preserving at the same time its judicial nature and function.

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