The aim of the project was the preliminary assessment of the current conservation status of the habitat types of the sand dune ecosystems (2110, 2120 and 2250) and their degree of deviation from the desired, in the protected areas of the European Ecological Network “Natura 2000”, for the sites where they are located and which belong to areas of territorial jurisdiction of the Management Body of Parnon, Moustos, Mainalon and Monemvasia.

Depiction of the southeast orientation of the beach of Pounta Laconia, which shows the characteristic sand dune systems of the coastline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes)

The aim was to formulate the necessary management actions to improve the conservation and rehabilitation states of the sand dune systems, as well as to monitor / supervise the implementation of selected proposals.
The uniquely beautiful Pancratium maritimum with the many names: sea daffodil, sand daffodil, sand lily or lily of St. Nicholas. Sea daffodils grow in the sand and are one of the characteristic species of sand dunes in our country.

The proposed actions generally concerned the management of visitors and reduction of pressures from human activity, such as pollution and the spread of invasive alien species leading to the degradation of the sand dune habitats. Thus, specific projects were identified and proposed for implementation, which generally concerned:

  1. Restoration of estuaries and riparian zone
  2. Restoration of small wetlands
  3. Installation of waste collection bins
  4. Installation of non-fixed corridors to direct the movement of visitors to the sand dune habitat types
  5. Control of vehicle access to coastal fronts
  6. Restoration of sand dunes
  7. Eradication of alien invasive species
  8. Collection and storage of genetic material of Juniperus macrocarpa
  9. Monitoring of sand dune displacement

Professor Panagiotis Dimopoulos (University of Patras) is the scientific director of the project.

Speech by Dr. Panagiotis Dimopoulos on the study during the conference organized by the Management Body of Parnon, Moustos, Mainalon & Monemvasia on September 28, 2020, in the Spiritual Center of Sparta

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