A “DPSIR” model for Mediterranean temporary ponds : European, national and local scale comparisons

¹ Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, Seferi 2, 30100 Agrinio, Greece.
² Department of Vegetation and Phytodiversity Analysis, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany.
³ Institute of Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Anavyssos, Attiki, Greece.

Corresponding author: izachari@cc.uoi.gr

Abstract

Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs) are priority habitats (Natura 2000) of great importance according to the European Legislation (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC). They are being destroyed mostly because of public ignorance of their significant value. Today, MTPs are subject to high pressures from several human activities (agriculture, livestock, tourism etc.). In this work, the “Drivers-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses” (DPSIR) model has been used, because it allows to evaluate the impact of the human socioeconomic pressure. We estimated the present condition of West Crete’s MTPs, in order to propose management practices for their restoration. A comparison with the Greek and European MTPs is also developed.