Ifigenia KagalouIfigenia KagalouProf. School of Engineering Prof. School of Engineering

Democritus University of ThraceDemocritus University of Thraceikagkalo@civil.duth.gr

Mediterranean lakes: lessons Mediterranean lakes: lessons learned from the “new” lake learned from the “new” lake

Karla, GreeceKarla, Greece

The MediterraneanThe Mediterranean Mediterranean climate, with dry sub-Mediterranean climate, with dry sub-

tropical summers, dominates regions tropical summers, dominates regions from 32from 32 to 40 to 40 latitude, north and south latitude, north and south of the Equator.of the Equator.

In Mediterranean regions there is a In Mediterranean regions there is a segregation of two well-separated segregation of two well-separated seasons, a wet winter, during which most seasons, a wet winter, during which most of the precipitation is concentrated, and of the precipitation is concentrated, and an arid summer with no precipitation an arid summer with no precipitation ((Naselli-Flores & Barone, 2005Naselli-Flores & Barone, 2005))

19/04/2319/04/23

pressurespressures Mediterranean regions are concentrated Mediterranean regions are concentrated

centres of both human populations ( centres of both human populations ( very very earliest settlements!!!) earliest settlements!!!) and agricultural and agricultural productionproduction

Competition for water is among the highest in Competition for water is among the highest in the world (the world (Gasith & Resh,1999Gasith & Resh,1999))

Greater demand coincides with low availabilityGreater demand coincides with low availability Unpredictable annual precipitation and limited Unpredictable annual precipitation and limited

water availability during the dry season have water availability during the dry season have resulted in extensive water infrastructure resulted in extensive water infrastructure development, which complicate efforts to development, which complicate efforts to restore and manage freshwater ecosystemsrestore and manage freshwater ecosystems

The Mediterraneans, It is well documented It is well documented the the contrast contrast

between the Mediterranean and other between the Mediterranean and other temperate limnosystems, taking into temperate limnosystems, taking into account climatic variability , water account climatic variability , water scarcity, nutrients , demography, e.t.c.scarcity, nutrients , demography, e.t.c.

The ‘limnicity’ is quite uneven in The ‘limnicity’ is quite uneven in Europe ( in Sweden=9%, in Greece Europe ( in Sweden=9%, in Greece 0.5%) more sensitive in Meds in terms 0.5%) more sensitive in Meds in terms of eutrophication, accommodating of eutrophication, accommodating various uses.various uses.

Mediterraneans, problems Mediterraneans, problems arisen,arisen,

There has been a growing ”concern” of “non-There has been a growing ”concern” of “non-effective” management practiceseffective” management practices

Focused, mainly, on the issue that restoration Focused, mainly, on the issue that restoration depends on a variety of factors particularly on depends on a variety of factors particularly on climate , last years “climate , last years “acts horizontallyacts horizontally””

Finally ,there has been a social and politic resistance Finally ,there has been a social and politic resistance concerning water allocation under the light of concerning water allocation under the light of protection and conservation purposes.protection and conservation purposes.

In Greece, institutional capacity often is inadequate In Greece, institutional capacity often is inadequate to develop and to develop and applyapply integrated management plans. integrated management plans.

……,,

Concern on the so-called “ignore of the Concern on the so-called “ignore of the local people participation” and the lack of local people participation” and the lack of the traditional knowledge.the traditional knowledge.

Finally, there has been an opposition for Finally, there has been an opposition for applying “good management practices” applying “good management practices” with consequences to the ecosystem’s with consequences to the ecosystem’s preservationpreservation

The value of freshwaters,The value of freshwaters,

Freshwaters offer diversity from small Freshwaters offer diversity from small ponds and springs to large lakes and ponds and springs to large lakes and huge floodplain systems. huge floodplain systems.

In this collection, there is a great In this collection, there is a great species diversity and also interesting species diversity and also interesting relationships amongst them and relationships amongst them and with with the local people.the local people.

Managing of the whole system means Managing of the whole system means efforts in technical, political, efforts in technical, political, legislative and ethical issues.legislative and ethical issues.

The protected areasThe protected areas

Freshwater P.A. are widely perceived asFreshwater P.A. are widely perceived as ““magic bullets’ against overexploitation, magic bullets’ against overexploitation, pollution…pollution…

The main strategy (EU) for their The main strategy (EU) for their conservation is the appropriate conservation is the appropriate management to maintain essential management to maintain essential ecological processes.ecological processes.

This approach should incorporate the This approach should incorporate the sympathetic actions of the local peoplesympathetic actions of the local people

Hydrology: does it affect all functions?Hydrology: does it affect all functions? Low water levels may enhance submerged plant biomass Low water levels may enhance submerged plant biomass

and coverage in SMLs (and coverage in SMLs (Romo et al., 2004; Fernández-Aláez et Romo et al., 2004; Fernández-Aláez et

al., 2004 ….al., 2004 ….)) Concentrations of the major ions and nutrients (nitrogen Concentrations of the major ions and nutrients (nitrogen

and phosphorus) and phosphorus) vary with water levels vary with water levels ((Talling, 2001; Talling, 2001; Nöges et al., 2003Nöges et al., 2003) )

increase of eutrophication during drought increase of eutrophication during drought periods in the periods in the Mediterranean region (Mediterranean region (Quintana et al., 1998; Kagalou et Quintana et al., 1998; Kagalou et al.,2010al.,2010))

Drought-induced decrease in water level and Drought-induced decrease in water level and increase in increase in water residence timewater residence time may provide longer contact with may provide longer contact with sediment that may enhance internal release of nutrients, sediment that may enhance internal release of nutrients, such as phosphorus (such as phosphorus (Romo et al., 2005)Romo et al., 2005)

Favor cyanobacteria over other algal taxa ( Favor cyanobacteria over other algal taxa ( toxicity toxicity risk!!)risk!!)

……,, Increase of Increase of salinitysalinity drop in water level may cause drop in water level may cause

deterioration of spawning grounds,deterioration of spawning grounds, and and change spawning behaviour and migration change spawning behaviour and migration patterns of fishpatterns of fish

Dominance of cyprinids Dominance of cyprinids Vulnerability of other speciesVulnerability of other species Top-down control???? Top-down control???? Effective???Effective???

What happens to Greek lakes??? What happens to Greek lakes??? (Kagalou & (Kagalou & Leonardos 2009)Leonardos 2009)

Usesname

Fisheries Recreation Irrigation Industrial Hydro-powerMang/ment auth.

(No/Yes)

Amvrakia x x N

Voulkaria x x x N

Lysimachia x x N

Ozeros x x x x N

Trichonis x x x x N

Taka x x N

x x x x N

Tsivlou x x N

Paralimni x x x N

Yliki x x N

Kalodiki x Y

Volvi x x x Y

Koronia x x x Y

Pamvotis x x x Y

Kastoria x x x N

Doirani x x x N

Vistonis x x x x N

Ismaritis x x Y

Vegoritis x x x x Y

Zazari x x x x N

Megali Prespa x x Y

Mikri Prespa x x x Y

Petron x x N

Chimaditis x x x x N

Driver Pressure

State

Impact Response

Agriculture & climate

-intensive agricultural practices in the catchment area ( N leaching, more water abstraction….)

Livestock& climate

-farming practices in the catchment area (sheep/goats farming, poultry farms)

Urbanization

-urban development

Tourism -touristic activity focused on the lake

Climate - All above mentioned

Construction of dikes

- In the hydrological basin

Fish stocking

-exotic herbivorous and planktivorous species

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

>800 200-800 <200

altitude (m)

sha

re o

f la

kes

(%) a

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

<3 3,0-15 >15

mean depth (m)

sh

are

of

lake

s(%

)

b

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0,5-1 1,0-10 10-100 >100

surface area (km2)

sh

are

of

lake

s (

%)

c

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

calcareous siliceous organic

geology category

sha

re o

f la

kes

(%) d

0

10

20

30

40

50

Monomictic Dimictic Polymictic

mixing type

sha

re o

f la

kes

(%)

e

chl-a

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

high good moderate poor bad

sh

are

of

lake

s (

%)

f

Global warming reinforces Global warming reinforces eutrophicationeutrophication

Moss et al. 2012

0%10%20%30%40%50%

60%70%80%90%

100%A

mvr

akia

Vou

lkar

iaLy

sim

achi

aO

zero

sT

richo

nis

Tak

aLa

mia

Tsi

vlou

Par

alim

niY

liki

Kal

odik

iV

olvi

Kor

onia

Pam

votis

Kas

toria

Doi

rani

Vis

toni

sIs

mar

itis

Veg

oriti

sZ

azar

iM

egal

iM

ikri

Pet

ron

Chi

mad

itis

% s

peci

es c

ontri

butio

n

Diatoms Chlorophytes Cyanophytes

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Am

vrak

ia

Vou

lkar

ia

Lysi

mac

hia

Oze

ros

Tric

honi

s

Tak

a

Lam

ia

Tsi

vlou

Par

alim

ni

Ylik

i

Kal

odik

i

Vol

vi

Kor

onia

Pam

votis

Kas

toria

Doi

rani

Vis

toni

s

Ism

ariti

s

Veg

oriti

s

Zaz

ari

Meg

ali P

resp

a

Mik

ri P

resp

a

Pet

ron

Chi

mad

itis

% s

peci

es c

ontr

ibut

ion

Rotifers Copepods Cladocera

0

1

2

3

4

Amvr

akia

Voul

karia

Lysi

mac

hia

Oze

ros

Tric

honi

sTa

kaLa

mia

Tsiv

lou

Para

limni Yl

iki

Kalo

diki

Volv

iKo

roni

aPa

mvo

tisKa

stor

iaD

oira

niVi

ston

isIs

mar

itis

Vego

ritis

Zaza

riM

egal

i Pre

spa

Mik

ri Pr

espa

Petro

nC

him

aditi

s

Mac

roph

yte

cove

rage

cat

egor

y

a

b

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Amvra

kiaVo

ulkar

iaLy

simac

hiaOz

eros

Trich

onis Taka

Lami

aTs

ivlou

Para

limni Yl

ikiKa

lodiki Vo

lviKo

ronia

Pamv

otis

Kasto

riaDo

irani

Visto

nisIsm

aris

Vego

ritis

Zaza

riMe

gali P

resp

aMi

kri P

resp

aPe

tron

Chim

aditis

Numb

er of

spec

ies

Native Introduced Translocated

c

d

Macrophytes?? Macrophytes?? A limiting factor A limiting factor for photosynthesisfor photosynthesis

Greek lakes Greek lakes shiftshift from the from the macrophyte dominance macrophyte dominance state to state to the algal dominance the algal dominance state since in many state since in many lakes macrophyte coverage is limited lakes macrophyte coverage is limited ((Papastergiadou et al.,2010)Papastergiadou et al.,2010)

Two lakes in Category3 ( visible plants)Two lakes in Category3 ( visible plants) Three lakes in Category2 ( sparse plants)Three lakes in Category2 ( sparse plants) All the other in Category1 ( no plants)All the other in Category1 ( no plants)

The study area – the restored lake Karla

Surface area… 38kmSurface area… 38km22

Volume max….184x10Volume max….184x1066 m m33

Catchment area…1171kmCatchment area…1171km22

Z max…. 4.5 mZ max…. 4.5 m Z mean…..2.0 m Z mean…..2.0 m Mean annual air temperature….14.3Mean annual air temperature….14.3ooCC Mean annual precipitation…….560 mmMean annual precipitation…….560 mm

In 1962, complete drying of the lake ( 40-180 In 1962, complete drying of the lake ( 40-180 kmkm22) took place.) took place.

In 1980’s the restoration project started upIn 1980’s the restoration project started up Total budget : 245 millions EurosTotal budget : 245 millions Euros

Lake Karla

Inflow from Pinios 67,5x 106 m3

Surface runoff 38 x 106 m3

evaporation 38 x 106m3

Recharge of aquifier

24x106 m3

Irrigation withdrawals60x106 m3

overview of annual Hydrological budget

Inflow ditch16,5 x106 m3

Overview of the ecological features & pressures

NATURA 2000 siteNATURA 2000 site RAMSAR siteRAMSAR site Special Protected Area ( birds Directive)Special Protected Area ( birds Directive) Algal blooms (cyanotoxicity)Algal blooms (cyanotoxicity) Fish mortalitiesFish mortalities Inflows predominately drain an Inflows predominately drain an

agricultural watershed but also agricultural watershed but also rural/industrial areas.rural/industrial areas.

With a nutrient rich sedimentWith a nutrient rich sediment But still a preferable bird’s habitat But still a preferable bird’s habitat

Regarding at Karla, Eutrophication seems to be a multistressor Eutrophication seems to be a multistressor

effect problemeffect problem Shallow lake/reservoir systems show a high Shallow lake/reservoir systems show a high

variability and the cause- effect relationship variability and the cause- effect relationship is not so clear.is not so clear.

The “new” artificial lake Karla is a modified The “new” artificial lake Karla is a modified ecosystem ( in terms of typology, WFD) ecosystem ( in terms of typology, WFD) with no outlet ( with no outlet ( acting as a sink of acting as a sink of nutrientsnutrients!!!)!!!)

Since there are not yet pristine/reference Since there are not yet pristine/reference conditions the ecological classification conditions the ecological classification becomes more difficult becomes more difficult

24-26 September 201324-26 September 2013 LakeAdmin in VolosLakeAdmin in Volos

SinivetikaõitsengudSinivetikaõitsengud

evaluation…evaluation… Taking into account the WFD guidelines, OECD Taking into account the WFD guidelines, OECD

suggestions, literature data on similar case suggestions, literature data on similar case studies and our knowledge, it is quite safe to studies and our knowledge, it is quite safe to classify the water status as classify the water status as “poor” or “bad“poor” or “bad””

The possibility to obtain a “good” ecological The possibility to obtain a “good” ecological status up to 2015, is extremely weak.status up to 2015, is extremely weak.

……,, Both nutrients (N,P) are in excess so, Both nutrients (N,P) are in excess so, who is thewho is the

limiting factor for algal biomass??limiting factor for algal biomass?? A strong reduction of the external load should be A strong reduction of the external load should be

donedone.. The improvement of light conditions , shift to clear The improvement of light conditions , shift to clear

phasephase.. Lake Karla showed a spatial homogeneity while Lake Karla showed a spatial homogeneity while

seasonal trends can be explained , mostly, by the seasonal trends can be explained , mostly, by the inputs (also inputs (also Kagalou & Laspidou 2012Kagalou & Laspidou 2012))

But, up to day, the black box is the But, up to day, the black box is the “story of “story of

sediment” ( sediment” ( i.e internal loadingi.e internal loading).). Survival of Survival of the most tolerant species the most tolerant species thus destruction thus destruction

of the microhabitatsof the microhabitats

Taking into account that…Taking into account that…

In freshwater ecosystems the medium rather In freshwater ecosystems the medium rather the organisms determine their structurethe organisms determine their structure

The food-chain places emphasis on the system The food-chain places emphasis on the system functioning functioning

The unit of a freshwater system is not defined The unit of a freshwater system is not defined by its wetter perimeterby its wetter perimeter

What we need?What we need? Integrated Water Resources Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM) “is a process Management (IWRM) “is a process which promotes the co-ordinated which promotes the co-ordinated development and management of development and management of water, land and related resources, in water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems” vital ecosystems”

Our conservation planning Our conservation planning approachesapproaches

Should be concentrated on the system as a Should be concentrated on the system as a whole, i.ewhole, i.e Catchment managementCatchment management Restoration of the water regime in the floodplainRestoration of the water regime in the floodplain Elimination of the point and non-point pollution Elimination of the point and non-point pollution

sourcessources Internal loading ( sediment) Internal loading ( sediment) Conservation of microhabitats and patchesConservation of microhabitats and patches

Including the conservation of biodiversity rather than Including the conservation of biodiversity rather than of particular charismatic speciesof particular charismatic species

Through functional approach may be we’ll achieve Through functional approach may be we’ll achieve species conservation species conservation

Conservation through cultural Conservation through cultural identityidentity

Highlight the value of biodiversity throughHighlight the value of biodiversity through - traditional activities- traditional activities Traditional food related to the Lake’s goodsTraditional food related to the Lake’s goods Establishment of “sign of product origin” of Establishment of “sign of product origin” of

the PP.the PP. Enhancement of ecotourism attracting not Enhancement of ecotourism attracting not

the “massive tourism” but the special target the “massive tourism” but the special target groups.groups.

Promotion of the cultural identity of the PP.Promotion of the cultural identity of the PP. Support the ethics of the local communitySupport the ethics of the local community

Urgent !!!

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT – GOVERNANCE

Community participation (Aarhus Convention)

For the sustainability of the new lake

ACTIONS FOCUSED ON

technical issues

Legislative issues

Ethics ( !!!!!!!)

The role of local people/stakeholdersThe role of local people/stakeholders Local communities have important, long-Local communities have important, long-

standing relationships with the areastanding relationships with the area

These relationships These relationships embrace culture embrace culture identity, contributing to the maintenance identity, contributing to the maintenance of biological diversityof biological diversity

On the other hand, intensified human On the other hand, intensified human activities and life- style cause degradation activities and life- style cause degradation and loss of values.and loss of values.

In any-case their needs, aspirations and In any-case their needs, aspirations and attitudes should be considered in a attitudes should be considered in a management process.management process.

Do we have the tool???Do we have the tool??? The The EU Water Framework Directive EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims at (WFD) aims at

establishing “a framework for the protection of inland establishing “a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters”, (Dir. 2000/60/EC, art.1) for all European groundwaters”, (Dir. 2000/60/EC, art.1) for all European Member States. Member States.

The WFD The WFD adopts a holistic approach adopts a holistic approach for water for water protection and management, to be implemented in a protection and management, to be implemented in a 15-year long process which foresees many actions 15-year long process which foresees many actions including:including:

the development of a River Basin Management Plan the development of a River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) in each European River Basin District (RBD)(RBMP) in each European River Basin District (RBD)

Competent authorities need to integrate environmental, Competent authorities need to integrate environmental, social and economic analyses and involve interested social and economic analyses and involve interested parties in the formulation of strategiesparties in the formulation of strategies

Up till now,Up till now, Experiences show that the management Experiences show that the management

of stakeholders’ involvement is still of stakeholders’ involvement is still poorly organised and supported, and so poorly organised and supported, and so is the selection of the stakeholders to is the selection of the stakeholders to take part in the process.take part in the process.

there is a strong need for scientific and there is a strong need for scientific and technical support for the meaningful technical support for the meaningful involvement of stakeholders in planning involvement of stakeholders in planning and implementation through and implementation through participation management.participation management.

lessons learned at technical lessons learned at technical levellevel

Water Management at catchment scale : Water Management at catchment scale : a a key issuekey issue

Multiple stressors at Meds freshwaterMultiple stressors at Meds freshwater No- linear respond to management practicesNo- linear respond to management practices Should consider ecosystem flow Should consider ecosystem flow

requirements, patterns of human demands, requirements, patterns of human demands, spatial and temporal variation of water spatial and temporal variation of water availability.availability.

Be careful to flow diversions, dam operations, Be careful to flow diversions, dam operations, interbasin transfers ( interbasin transfers ( !!!!! Thessaly!!!!! Thessaly) )

lessons at capacity buildinglessons at capacity building

Possible strategies: Possible strategies: strengthen the role of trained professionals acting strengthen the role of trained professionals acting

as as facilitators facilitators in the participatory planning in the participatory planning processprocess

promote an extended campaign of promote an extended campaign of expertise expertise enabling policy makers to meaningful undertake enabling policy makers to meaningful undertake participatory planning (participatory planning (

increase research efforts on developing tools and increase research efforts on developing tools and methods for the use of methods for the use of mediators mediators (i.e. (i.e. consultants), who would then provide external consultants), who would then provide external support to decision makerssupport to decision makers

there is a strong need for scientific and there is a strong need for scientific and technical technical support for the meaningful involvement of stakeholders in support for the meaningful involvement of stakeholders in planning and implementation.planning and implementation.

and “what is good and “what is good governance”??governance”??

Accountability : ability to hold decision-Accountability : ability to hold decision-makers to account for their actionsmakers to account for their actions

Transparency: availability of information to Transparency: availability of information to the public and clarity in regulations and the public and clarity in regulations and decisions.decisions.

Participation: provide all the opportunity in Participation: provide all the opportunity in decision- making either directly or through decision- making either directly or through legitimate representatives.legitimate representatives.

Prerequisite: social learning i.e learn Prerequisite: social learning i.e learn together manage together!together manage together!

Thank youThank you