Study of Human Induced Recent Geomorphological and Land Use Changes of the Acheloos Delta Area in Western Greece Using GIS

Abstract

This chapter studies the counteractive dynamic marine and river environments responsible for a river mouth’s and a delta’s modulation. The Acheloos River (West Greece) was chosen as the case study due to the recent changes taken place in its Delta area; the geotechnical constructions and the agricultural planning have altered the basin’s conditions. The aim of this study is to analyze the present dominant environment and the impact of human activity on this balance with the application of modern technological tools; emphasis is placed on the geomorphological along with the land use changes taking place in the three district parts of the Acheloos’ delta within a period of four decades (1960–2000): delta plain, delta front, pro delta. Bibliographic references, geographical and geological maps, aerial and satellite imagery of different seasons and dates, were utilized in addition to extensive fieldwork measurements and mapping. A geographic database was developed and it is continuously updated.