Irrigation and Drainage Scheme of the Plain of Arta – Effects on the Rural Landscape and the Wetlands of Amvrakikos’ Natura Area

Abstract

Abstract Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park is located in the North-West Greece. It is an area of high environmental importance, as it is characterized by a very rich biodiversity. Because of it's importance, the north part of the gulf is protected by Ramsar Convention and is part of the EU NATURA network. The adjacent plain of Arta (most of which is part of the land part of the park), hosts intensively cultivated, irrigated agricultural land and a number of food processing facilities and though it constitutes a major threat for this ecosystem.As water is plentiful and cheap, most farmers over-irrigate using water by the old open canal scheme that covers part of the plain and from numerous drillings most of which are illegal. The main pathways of agricultural pollutants (fertilizers, pesticides etc) are three rivers (Louros, Aracthos and Vovos) and three main draining canals (Salaoras, Fidokastrou and Neochoriou). This presentation, reviews information from several research works of the last 10 years which investigated the effects of agricultural activity to the coastal and the inland natural and rural landscape. Efforts that have been made (installation of measuring - alarming stations, educational sessions for farmers, de-nitrification programs etc) during the same period are also referred.