Integrated Methodological Approach for the Documentation of Marine Priority Habitats and Submerged Antiquities: Examples from the Saronic Gulf, Greece

Nikos Georgiou,Xenophon Dimas,George Papatheodorou

doi:10.3390/su132112327

Abstract

The rising human activities and resource exploitation have increased pressure in the coastal zone and the marine environment, risking the very existence of Marine Priority Habitats (MPH) and Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH). The delimitation of these two priority areas in a time- and cost-effective way is essential for the sustainable management and exploitation of sea resources and natural-cultural heritage preservation. We propose an Integrated Methodological Approach for the Detection and Mapping of MPH and UCH. To achieve this, we used a downscale methodological approach of increasing spatial resolution based on three main methodological axes: (i) desk-based research, (ii) marine geophysics/seafloor classification, and (iii) in-depth visual inspection/3D mapping. This methodological scheme was implemented at the Saronic Gulf and focused on Aegina island. The methodology proposed, which combines existing and new techniques, proved successful in detecting and mapping the MPH and UCH in detail, while it compiled the information necessary for the establishment of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) maps. Finally, the MSP map constructed for the Saronic Gulf demonstrated the lack of holistic coastal zone management plans due to impacts on UCH linked to anthropogenic intervention and the sparsity of marine habitats owing to marine pollution.

Highlights

Through the manipulation of these data, a digital map can be created combining all the available information of different spatial resolutions. The evaluation of this multi-thematic map will result in mining areas of possible archaeological and ecological interest, which will be selected for the implementation and accurate planning of the second and third levels of the proposed methodology
The mountainous environment surrounding it is responsible for the formation of the central NS-oriented bathymetric plateau with a 90-meter maximum depth, which connects the island of Salamis with those of Aegina and Methana
Due to this plateau and the NS extensional back-arc tectonism, the Saronic Gulf is segmented into eastern and western parts that form four basins: Megara, Epidavros, Salamis, and Aegina basins with a maximum depth of 220 m, 421 m, 98 m, and 226 m, respectively (Figure 3)

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The vision for sustainable coastal development lies within the balanced economy-, environment-, and society-related actions [1]. The increasing population, especially in coastal areas, led to urban development, land reclamation, resource overexploitation, and pollution. Detection and detailed mapping of the cultural and biological wealth of our seas is essential for their protection and inclusion in integrated coastal management plans [10,11,12].The European Union is following specific policies and directives regarding the protection, preservation, and sustainable development of the cultural and biological wealth

Results

Discussion

Conclusion