Temporal Land Cover Analysis of a NATURA 2000 Wetland. The Case Study of Megalo Livari (GR 2420004) in Northern Evia, Greece

摘要

Natural environment has been degraded both qualitative and quantitative due to human activities over the last century. The European Ecological network NATURA 2000 has been created to preserve the biodiversity in SCI and SPA areas. The selected study area of Megalo Livari in Northern Evia, a part of the NATURA 2000 network, is one of the most important wetlands for migratory birds in Greece with rich riparian forest vegetation. The aim of this work is to record the temporal land cover changes, nearly the last 50 years, by means of remote sensing and GIS analysis. The proposed methodology presents a cost effective solution for an accurate assessment of the land cover changes in the study area. An old and a recent orthoimage of the area of interest are used and the land cover changes are assessed by photo-interpretation in combination with field work. The land cover changes, largely affected by human activities (agriculture, tourism, fishery), is the main reason of the degradation of the natural environment, more particularly of the riparian forest and vegetation the last 50 years in the area of Megalo Livari in Greece.