Monitoring system
Enhancement of water circulation between Amvrakikos Gulf and the Ionian Sea
The action includes the dredging of supplementary deepenings in the strait (and possibly the port) of Preveza, in order to facilitate the water exchange between the gulf and the sea. Depending on adequate justification, this action may also serve the movement of merchant ships about 12-16.000 tons (instead of up to 20.000 tons, as was originally planned) in and out of the port of Preveza. Already, within the frame of the INTERREG II, a technical study and the respective environmental impact assessment study have been elaborated and the first phase of that project (the construction of the outer channel) has been implemented. According to the findings and the optimum scenario of the master plan, the Department of Technical Services of Preveza will proceed with a call for tenders for the elaboration of a revised technical study and a new respective environmental impact assessment in order to obtain the necessary approvals by the Ministry of Environment, Regional Planning & Public Works and the Ministry of Merchant Marine (according to the obligations of Directive 85/337/EC, as modified by Directive 97/11/EC). The construction phase will follow, after an international call for tenders.
Expected Results
The action will enhance water exchange between the gulf and the sea, and thus contribute significantly to the restoration of the distorted ecosystem of Amvrakikos. Furthermore, providing that it will be forseen in the master plan, it may serve a more effective operation of the port of Preveza.The action will enhance water exchange between the gulf and the sea, and thus contribute significantly to the restoration of the distorted ecosystem of Amvrakikos. Furthermore, providing that it will be forseen in the master plan, it may serve a more effective operation of the port of Preveza.
Production of soil maps in the lowland of northern Amvrakikos
Laboratory soil analyses will be performed in all types of soils in the lowland of northern Amvrakikos (the plains of Arta and Preveza). In this way, it will be possible to locate and control pollution sources and to ensure the right operation of the existing farming practices. The soils of Amvrakikos will be classified (according to their conglomeration and chemical structure) and presented in soil maps. The preparation of soil maps will help to the formulation of specific guidelines on best farming practices in each soil type and can lead to optimization of fertilizer use. A portable land station will be installed in the most heavily used area.
This action includes:
- Laboratory soil analyses
- Preparation of soil maps
- Production of leaflets for the farmers, with guidelines of optimum farming practice
- Supply and installation of a portable land station.
The preparation of accurate soil maps in digitalized geographic system, the pilot operation of the portable land station, the training of final users of the portable land station, the production of best farming guidelines, and the instruction of local farmers on optimum fertilizer use, are expected to significantly contribute to the decrease of (mainly) nitrate pollution of the “river basin district”.
Expected results
The preparation of accurate soil maps in digitalized geographic system, the pilot operation of the portable land station, the training of final users of the portable land station, the production of best farming guidelines, and the instruction of local farmers on optimum fertilizer use, are expected to significantly contribute to the decrease of (mainly) nitrate pollution of the “river basin district”.
Survey of abiotic and biotic parameters in the gulf bed of Amvrakikos and their impacts on fish production
This action concerns the systematic sampling and analysis of a number of appropriate parameters such as sediment, phytoplankton, phytobenthos,macrophytes, etc., which will be used for the assessment of the present status of the Amvrakikos sea bed.
The collected information will be processed with the use of appropriate methodology, for defining specific habitat types, associations, etc., for classifying all observed taxonomic units, and verifying the prevailing species.
The results of the analysis will be presented in a report concerning the abiotic and biotic parameters of the sea bed of Amvrakikos and investigating their impacts on fish production.
