Western Peloponnese Research Articles

Drought Assessment in Greece Using SPI and ERA5 Climate Reanalysis Data

The present work aims to assess the spatial variability and the trends of the annual rainfall and meteorological drought in the entire territory of Greece utilising the ERA5 reanalysis precipitation dataset of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), which spans from January 1940 to December 2022 (an 83-year period). Drought assessment took place based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for timescales ranging from 1 month to 12 months. Evaluation was carried out by calculating SPI using observed rainfall data from five meteorological stations. The annual rainfall and drought severity trends for timescales of 1 (SPI-1), 3 (SPI-3), 6 (SPI-6) and 12 (SPI-12) months were analysed using the Theil–Sen slope method and the Mann–Kendall trend test. The results indicate significant, both increasing and decreasing, annual precipitation trends at the 95% significance level for the Aegean Islands, western Crete and western mainland of Greece. The results also indicate significant drought trends for SPI-12 for the Aegean Islands and western Peloponnese. Trend analysis for SPI-1, SPI-3 and SPI-6 indicate a mixture of non-significantly increasing wetting trends and increasing drought trends at the national scale. In conclusion, the ERA5 dataset seems to be a valuable tool for drought monitoring at the spatial scale.

Reconstructing the oaks’ growth patterns in Greece with the use of historical timber: Case studies from Western Peloponnese

Southern Greece is a region where available oak reference chronologies are still missing, making dendroarchaeology and dating of historical buildings rather challenging, if not impossible. In the current study we performed wood identification and dendroarchaeological analysis on timber from three historical buildings: the castles of Androusa and Koroni and the Church of Agios Dimitrios, in Western Peloponnese. The three monuments represent buildings of different uses covering different periods, but also sharing a common characteristic: oak was the only timber used in their construction, while the number of preserved timber elements is very limited. A dendroarchaeological examination of these three historical buildings, together with radiocarbon and wiggle-matching analysis, provided valuable chronological information for the local archaeologists, historians, and other scientists. Application of dendrochronological techniques has helped place the three buildings under study into the Ottoman period. Our results also show that timber was acquired most probably from local non-managed forests, which suggests that oak forests were present in the broader area at least from the late 15th to the first half of the 18th centuries. The discordance between dendrochronological and radiocarbon dates in one of the three cases highlights the need for further exploration of the study area through a combined implementation of both dendrochronological and radiocarbon dating analyses in order to develop well-replicated local oak chronologies. Our study also shows that dendroarchaeology can contribute significantly to the cultural and landscape history of Western Peloponnese even with an examination of limited number of preserved timber elements from historical buildings.

Monitoring the Kotychi Lagoon in Western Peloponnese, Greece, Using Remote Sensing Techniques and Environmental Assessment

The Kotychi Lagoon (western Peloponnese, Greece), together with other coastal wetlands such as Pappas, Prokopos and Lamia, is part of the wider area of the Strofylia Wetlands National Park and Protected Areas of Western Peloponnese, which has been protected by the Ramsar convention since 1971 and classified as a Natura 2000 area due to its high diversity and ecological value. This study aimed to estimate the water surface evolution of the Kotychi Lagoon using optical remote sensing techniques to record parameters and indices related to the geometrical and landscape orientation features for the 1945–2016 period and to evaluate the ecological and environmental status of the lagoon through in-situ measurement and sample analysis. High-resolution aerial photos at a scale of 1:30,000, orthomosaics, and satellite images were used and linear regression rates (LRR) were calculated to determine the changes. Seasonal sampling of water, sediment, and macrofaunal organisms in the lagoon was performed to monitor environmental and ecological parameters. The results showed that the lagoon’s water surface shrank during the 1945–2016 period, showing different rates in four segments. The shrinkage prevailed in the northeastern and southern parts of the lagoon, with rates of 17.75 and 6.46 m/year, respectively. The ecological status was determined to be poor, although nutrient input seemed to have been moderate over the study period. We conclude that applying remote sensing techniques using a combination of high-resolution images constitutes an effective and accurate method for the spatiotemporal mapping of wetlands. The ecological problems of the Kotychi Lagoon were highlighted and confirmed through complementary in-situ analyses. These problems need to be addressed by the respective managerial bodies in order to restore the lagoon to good ecological status.

Earthquake-Induced Tsunamis in Western Greece (Ionian Sea and Western and Southern Peloponnese): Use of Tsunami Quantities, Impact and ITIS-2012 Intensities for Highlighting Susceptible Areas

Taking into account recent studies on the tsunamigenic potential of strike-slip faults, it is concluded that there is a need to reassess their near-source tsunami hazard and risk. One of the areas which needs reassessment is Western Greece, especially the Ionian Islands and the western coastal Peloponnese, where major seismogenic strike-slip structures occur. In this context, an extensive review of the available literature is conducted, including not only earthquake and tsunami catalogues but also tsunamis’ imprints on the stratigraphic record. It is concluded that the Ionian Islands and the western Peloponnese have a rich history of tsunamis since 6000 BC, revealing that they are subjected to high tsunami hazard. In addition to the teletsunami effects of distant earthquakes, there are also local tsunamis with smaller physical quantities and slighter coastal impact that are attributed mainly to local offshore faults and earthquake-triggered landslides. The fact that no destructive local tsunamis have been detected so far does not exclude the possibility of future triggering. In order to identify areas susceptible to future tsunami impact, we extract tsunami quantities and coastal impact data from available sources and we apply the Integrated Tsunami Intensity Scale 2012 (ITIS-2012) for all the events with available and adequate information. The highly susceptible areas comprise straits, funnel-shaped bays and extensive coastal areas exposed to major strike-slip seismogenic sources in the Ionian Sea and the western Hellenic Trench. Based on the aforementioned information, the inclusion of the Ionian Sea in the tsunamigenic zones of Greece is strongly recommended.

Atmospheric circulation types and floods' occurrence; A thorough analysis over Greece

Floods have a direct impact on the society and the environment, causing human losses, affecting individual incomes and national economic activity including infrastructure damages. Atmospheric circulation is strongly related to both mean and extreme climate, with the latter being the driving force of adverse phenomena, such as inundations. The overarching goal of the research is the identification of those atmospheric circulation patterns that are associated with catastrophic flood events over Greece. An updated atmospheric classification scheme consisted of 12 circulation types (5 anticyclonic and 7 cyclonic) is implemented to detect and highlight the flood-dominant circulation types over the domain of interest. It is established that for a 7-year period (from 2012 to 2018), where reliable flood inventories are available as a derivative of the European Union (EU) Flood Directive implementation process, the dominant circulation type is the cyclonic type C with its center to be located over the Cyclades area. The study also reveals that during the most severe floods, the prevailing cyclonic types are substantially deeper than their mean anomaly field. Finally, out of the 14 River Basin Districts of Greece, Thrace (EL14) is the more flood prone area, while Eastern Macedonia (EL11) is far less flood affected. The introduced Floods' Frequency Vulnerability index (FFVI) showed that in the case of significant floods, Western Peloponnese (EL01) and Epirus (EL05) are the most vulnerable River Basin Districts. The proposed methodology of coupling circulation types with flood occurrences can be applied in all EU Member-States and set the base of effective floods' prediction mechanisms at River Basin Districts scales.

The GPS velocity field of the Aegean. New observations, contribution of the earthquakes, crustal blocks model

SUMMARY We calculate and analyse the coordinate time-series of 282 permanent GPS stations located in Greece and 47 in surrounding countries. The studied period is 2000–2020. The average GPS time-series length is 6.5 yr. The formal velocity uncertainties are rescaled to be consistent with the velocity scatters measured at 110 pairs of stations separated by less 15 km. We remove the effect of the crustal earthquakes of Mw ≥ 5.3. We quantify and model the post-seismic deformations. Two relaxation times are usually needed: one short of some weeks and one long of 1 yr or more. For the large Mw = 6.9 events of Samothraki 2014 and Methoni 2008, the post-seismic deformation equals or exceeds the coseismic one. We detect at three stations a deformation transient in May 2018 that may correspond to a slow earthquake beneath Zakynthos and northwest Peloponnese, with equivalent magnitude 5.8. The density and accuracy of the velocities make it possible to better quantify several characteristics of the deformation in the Aegean, in particular: (i) the transition from the Anatolian domain, located in the southeast, to the European domain through the western end of the North Anatolian fault; (ii) the north–south extension in the western Aegean; (iii) the east–west extension of the western Peloponnese; (iv) the clockwise rotation of the Pindos; (v) the north–south extension in central Macedonia. Large parts of the central Aegean, eastern Peloponnese and western Crete form a wide stable domain with internal deformation below 2 nstrain yr−1. We build a kinematic model comprising 10 crustal blocks corresponding to areas where the velocities present homogeneous gradients. The blocks boundaries are set to fit with known localized deformation zones, for example, the rift of Corinth, the North Anatolian fault and the Katouna fault. When the velocity steps are clear but not localized, for example, through the Peloponnese, the boundary line is arbitrary and represents the transition zone. The model fits the velocities with a root-mean-square deviation of ±0.9 mm yr−1. At the boundaries between blocks we compare the predicted and observed deformations. We find shear rates of 7.4 and 9.0 mm yr−1 along the Movri and Katouna faults, 14.9 and 8.7 mm yr−1 along the North Anatolian fault near Lemnos and near Skopelos respectively, extension of 7.6, 1.5 and 12.6 mm yr−1 across the Gulf of Patras, the Trichonis Lake and the Ambracian Gulf. The compression across western Epirus is 3.7 mm yr−1. There is a dextral transtensional movement of 4.5 mm yr−1 between the Amorgos and Astypalea islands. Only the Ionian Islands region shows evidence of coupling along the subduction interface.

Does Deep Tectonic Tremor Occur in the Central‐Eastern Mediterranean Basin?

AbstractTectonic tremor has been observed at the roots of many fault systems around the Pacific rim, including convergent and transform plate boundaries. The extent to which deep tremor signals are prevalent along fault systems elsewhere, including the Mediterranean basin, has not yet been documented in detail. A body of evidence suggests that tremor triggered during the surface waves of teleseismic events may commonly occur where ambient tremor during episodic tremor and slip episodes occur, suggesting triggered tremor provides a useful tool to identify regions with ambient tremor. We perform a systematic search of triggered tremor associated with large teleseismic events between 2010 and 2020 at four major fault systems within the central‐eastern Mediterranean basin, namely the Hellenic and Calabrian subduction zones, and the North Anatolian and Kefalonia transform faults. In addition, we search for ambient tremor during a slow slip event in the eastern Sea of Marmara along a secondary branch of the North Anatolian Fault, and two slow slip events beneath western Peloponnese (Hellenic Subduction Zone). We find no unambiguous evidence for deep triggered tremor, nor ambient tremor. The absence of triggered tremor at the Hellenic and Calabrian subduction zones supports an interpretation of less favorable conditions for tremorgenesis in the presence of old and cold slabs. The absence of tremor along the transform faults may be due to an absence of the conditions commonly promoting tremorgenesis in such settings, including high‐fluid pressures and low‐differential stresses between the down‐dip limit of the seismogenic layer and the continental Moho.

The latest Early Pleistocene amphibians and reptiles from Kaiafas (Greece) and the first record of fossil Ophiomorus (Squamata, Scincidae)

Together with the rest of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece acted as a refuge for thermophilic amphibians and reptiles during the Quaternary Glaciations. In this work we provide new herpetological data on the latest Early Pleistocene locality of Kaiafas, in western Peloponnese. The site yielded one indeterminate salamandrid urodelan (Salamandridae indet.), one tree frog (Hyla gr. H. arborea), one indeterminate testudinid (Testudinidae indet.), at least two lacertid lizards (Lacertidae indet. A and B), one scincid lizard (Ophiomorus sp.), one anguid lizard (Pseudopus sp.), and one indeterminate “colubrine” snake (“Colubrinae” indet.). This assemblage is indicative of a surrounding environment with water bodies, wooded areas, and possibly loose soils with rocks and stones. In spite of being based on few remains, the study of the amphibians and reptiles from Kaiafas resulted in the identification of the first fossil of Ophiomorus known worldwide. Moreover, the two lacertid taxa displayed very peculiar morphological features which are either previously unknown or rare in that clade.

Increased methane emission from natural gas seepage at Katakolo Harbour (Western Greece)

Geological gas seepage in petroleum-bearing sedimentary basins is an important natural source of atmospheric methane. In methane budget models geological emissions are generally considered constant over time, not affecting decadal atmospheric methane changes. Here, we report the case of a considerable sub-decadal variation of methane seepage from one of the largest thermogenic gas seep sites in Europe, Katakolo Harbour (Western Peloponnese, Greece). Based on gas flux measurements by accumulation chamber performed in 2010 and 2018, methane emission from cracks and fissures throughout the asphalt and concrete pavement of the harbour increased about four times (from 57 to 225 kg d−1) with emission factor changing from ~4,000 to 15,000 t km−2 y−1. Multiple lines of evidence, including mechanical deformation and fissuring of concrete and asphalt pavement, increased exhalation with constant fissure conditions, and no significant cracking with operating corrosion from 2004 to 2010, suggest that the methane emission increase is mainly due to intensification of subsurface gas flow (seepage) after 2010. Deep gas pressure and fault permeability variations, likely induced by the numerous earthquakes of the region, might have played a role. We estimate that if similar short-term variations of emission factor occur in large seepage areas worldwide, the global geological methane emission can significantly change, contributing to decadal changes of atmospheric methane budget.

CT scanning, X-ray fluorescence: Non-destructive techniques for the identification of sedimentary facies and structures

Introduction of new, more specialized, non-destructive techniques into palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic research, has proven to be of a great asset, over the last decades. Geoarchives like sediment cores can thus be studied with much higher resolution, faster and with less effort, providing significantly more information about sediment composition, grain size and structure. In this study, we applied X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and computed tomography (CT) analysis on two different sediment cores, retrieved from a typical lagoonal environment and a marsh field in western Peloponnese, Greece. XRF scanning was used with a step of 0.5cm in order to obtain a detailed elemental profile of the core, whereas CT scan was performed with a resolution of 0.3mm. Concerning elemental compound and X-ray absorption, distinct correlation between HU and terrigenous elements was observed. Furthermore, through 3D reconstruction of the cores sections, we explored possible methods for fauna/sediment ratio, as well as microstructural characteristics. The combined appliance of those two techniques on the two sediment cores that were studied seems to provide robust results concerning sedimentological facies, biofacies and sediment structure.

Seismicity and geodynamics of western Peloponnese and central Ionian Islands: Insights from a local seismic deployment

The tectonic setting of western Peloponnese and central Ionian Islands, Greece, is characterized by the subduction of the oceanic African plate beneath the Aegean micro-plate. The transition from subduction to continental collision in northwestern Greece is accommodated by the right-lateral Cephalonia transform fault. In this work, we exploit the recordings of a temporary seismic network composed of 15 stations operating from July 2016 until May 2017 to investigate the complex deformation of this region.Our local network fills in a major observational gap in one of the most tectonically active regions of the Hellenic arc. We detected and located more than 1200 local earthquakes and constrained five 1D optimum local velocity models. The relocated seismicity (including the aftershock sequence that followed the October 2018 Mw 6.7 earthquake offshore Zakynthos) and associated focal mechanisms constrained for the major earthquakes point out a complex crustal deformation.We propose a clockwise rotation of the Ionian Akarnania Block accommodated by major marginal strike-slip fault zones that appear segmented along their strike. Additionally, left-lateral motion is observed on the Kyllini-Cephalonia fault along a north-west direction. Finally, the seismicity recorded in north Cephalonia (offshore Myrtos and Fiskardo) suggests that the Cephalonia transform fault is a large deformation zone where secondary WNW-striking sinistral strike-slip faults occur.

Comparative study of qualitative and quantitative characters of grape cultivar 'Mavrodafni' (Vitis vinifera L.) and 'Renio' grown in different regions of the Protected Designation of Origin Mavrodafni Patras

'Mavrodafni' (Vitis vinifera L.) is considered one of the oldest grapevine cultivars indigenous to the Greek vineyards, with western Peloponnese being its primary centre of cultivation. 'Renio' is considered to be either a biotype of 'Mavrodafni' or an altogether different cultivar. Both 'Mavrodafni' and 'Renio' can be found in the vineyards of the areas of cultivation, since 'Renio' is considered to be more productive compared to 'Mavrodafni' and, for this reason, it has gradually replaced 'Mavrodafni' from cultivation over the course of time. 'Mavrodafni' and 'Renio' contain appreciable amounts of quality characters of grape and must in terms of total polyphenol and total anthocyanins content in berry skins, depending on the different regions where they are cultivated and they would be worthy of further study and use for the production of different types of wines.

Major flood events recorded in the Holocene sedimentary sequence of the uplifted Ladiko and Makrisia basins near ancient Olympia (western Peloponnese, Greece)

Detailed palaeoenvironmental studies were conducted in the Ladiko and Makrisia basins near the Alpheios River and ancient Olympia (western Peloponnese, Greece) to assess major landscape changes during the Holocene. Previous studies and literature data document that the area experienced crust uplift of minimum 13 m to 30 m since the mid-Holocene. Geological archives were sampled along a vibracore transect connecting the Ladiko and Makrisia basins. Sediment cores were analyzed using sedimento-logical, geochemical and micropalaeontological methods. Geochronological reconstruction of major landscape changes is based on a set of 24 radiocarbon dates. Geophysical studies were carried out using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and Direct Push-Electrical Conductivity (DP-EC) measurements to detect stratigraphic changes and subsurface bedrock structures. The stratigraphic record of the uplifted lake basins of Ladiko and Makrisia revealed two major lithostratigraphic units. Unit I, predominantly composed of clay, silt and silty fine sand, reflects prevailing low-energy sedimentary conditions typical of quiescent (fluvio-)limnic waterbodies. Unit II is made out of fine to coarse sand and documents repeated interferences of unit I associated with abrupt and temporary high-energy flood type (= heft) events. We found signals of four different heft events (H1 to H4) showing strong stratigraphic and geochronological consistencies along the vibracore transect. The following age ranges were determined: H1 – between 4360 – 4330 cal BC and 4320 – 4080 cal BC; H2 – be- tween 2830 – 2500 cal BC and 2270 – 2140 cal BC; H3 – between 1220 –1280 cal AD and 1290 –1390 cal AD; H4 – between 1640 –1800 cal AD and 1650 –1800 cal AD. Different hypotheses concerning the characteristics, potential trigger mechanisms and causes of the flood events were tested against the background of strong Holocene crust uplift and using a variety of different methodological approaches: Geomorphological and granulometric aspects, micropalaeontological contexts, geochronological data sets, numerical simulation of flooding events, local tectonic uplift, and the palaeoclimate background were taken into account. We hypothesize that, during the mid-Holocene, the study area was affected by tsunami events, namely between 4360 – 4330 cal BC and 4320 – 4080 cal BC (H1) and between 2830 – 2500 cal BC and 2270 – 2140 cal BC (H2). These ages are very well consistent with the supra-regional and regional tsunami event signal retrieved from many coastal archives in large parts of western Greece. The timing of flood events H1 and H2 is highly consistent with ages of (supra-)regional tectonic events known from literature and is not consistent with increased flood indices of palaeoclimate data available for western Greece. Tsunami inundation scenarios based on numerical simulation are highly consistent with vibracoring and geophysical (ERT, DP-EC) data. In contrast, heft events H3 and H4 are possibly related to phases of increased precipi- tation and flooding activity in the Mediterranean or to land-based geomorphological processes triggered by regional tectonic events (RTE). Neolithic, Chalcolithic as well as Early and Middle Helladic human activities documented at ancient Olympia were most probably affected by tsunami heft events H1 and H2. Sandy deposits of tsunami event H2, covering the prehistorical tumulus, seem to have been used as a higher and dry base to construct the apsidal houses in the center of the later sanctuary at Olympia. The site, already abandoned, must have again been subject to major flood events during the 13/14th cent. AD and the 17–19th cent. AD associated with heft events H3 and H4.

Tracing tsunami signatures of the ad 551 and ad 1303 tsunamis at the Gulf of Kyparissia (Peloponnese, Greece) using direct push in situ sensing techniques combined with geophysical studies

AbstractThe western Peloponnese was repeatedly hit by major tsunami impacts during historical times as reported by historical accounts and recorded in earthquake and tsunami catalogues. Geological signatures of past tsunami impacts have also been found in many coastal geological archives. During the past years, abundant geomorphological and sedimentary evidence of repeated Holocene tsunami landfall was found between Cape Katakolo and the city of Kyparissia. Moreover, neotectonic studies revealed strong crust uplift along regional faults with amounts of uplift between 13 m and 30 m since the mid‐Holocene. This study focuses on the potential of direct push in situ sensing techniques to detect tsunami sediments along the Gulf of Kyparissia. Direct push measurements were conducted on the landward shores of the Kaiafa Lagoon and the former Mouria Lagoon from which sedimentary and microfaunal evidence for tsunami landfall are already known. Direct push methods helped to decipher in situ high‐resolution stratigraphic records of allochthonous sand sheets that are used to document different kinds of sedimentological and geomorphological characteristics of high‐energy inundation, such as abrupt increases in grain size, integration of muddy rip‐up clasts and fining upward sequences which are representative of different tsunami inundation pulses. These investigations were completed by sediment coring as a base for local calibration of geophysical direct push parameters. Surface‐based electrical resistivity tomography and seismic data with highly resolved vertical direct push datasets and sediment core data were all coupled in order to improve the quality of the geophysical models. Details of this methodological approach, new in palaeotsunami research, are presented and discussed, especially with respect to the question of how the obtained results may help to facilitate tracing tsunami signatures in the sedimentary record and deciphering geomorphological characteristics of past tsunami inundation. Using direct push techniques and based on sedimentary data, sedimentary signatures of two young tsunami impacts that hit the Kaiafa Lagoon were detected. Radiocarbon age control allowed the identification of these tsunami layers as candidates for the ad 551 and ad 1303 earthquake and tsunami events. For these events, there is reliable historical data on major damage on infrastructure in western Greece and on the Peloponnese. At the former Mouria Lagoon, corroborating tsunami traces were found; however, in this case it is difficult to decide whether these signatures were caused by the ad 551 or the ad 1303 event.

Multi-hazard assessment modeling via multi-criteria analysis and GIS: a case study

Multi-hazard assessment modeling comprises an essential tool in any plan that aims to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters. For a particular area they can be generated by combining assessment maps for different types of natural hazards. In the present study, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) supported by a Geographical Information System (GIS) was utilized to initially produce assessment maps on hazards from landslides, floods and earthquakes and subsequently to combine them into a single multi-hazard map. Evaluation of the reliability of the proposed model predictions was performed through uncertainty analysis of the variables that we used for producing the final model. The drainage basin of Peneus (Pinios) River (Western Peloponnesus, Greece), an area that is prone to landslides, floods and seismic events, was selected for the implementation of the aforementioned approach. Our findings revealed that the high hazard zones are mainly distributed in the western and north-eastern part of the region under investigation. The calculated multi-hazard map, which corresponds to the potential urban development suitability map of the study area, was classified into five classes, namely of very low, low, moderate, high and very high suitability. The most suitable areas for urban development are distributed mostly in the eastern part, in agreement with the low and very low hazard level for the three considered natural hazards. In addition, by performing uncertainty analysis we showed that the spatial distribution of the suitability zones does not change significantly. Ultimately, the final map was verified using the actual inventory of landslides and floods that affected the study area. In this context, we showed that 80% of the landslide occurrences and all the recorded flood events fall within the boundaries of the moderate, low and very low suitability zones. Consequently, the predictive capacity of the applied method is quite good. Finally, the spatial distribution of the urban areas and the road network were compared with the derived suitability map and the results revealed that approximately 50% of both of them are located within areas susceptible to natural hazards. The proposed approach can be useful for engineers, planners and local authorities in spatial planning and natural hazard management.

NGS corroborates cryptic diversity within the Epiros riffle dace (Telestes pleurobipunctatus)

Event Abstract Back to Event NGS corroborates cryptic diversity within the Epiros riffle dace (Telestes pleurobipunctatus) Nuria VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ1*, Radek ŠANDA2, Lubomír PIÁLEK3, Stamatis Zogaris4 and Jasna VUKIĆ1 1 Department of Ecology, Division of Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Czechia 2 National Museum (Czechia), Czechia 3 Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Czechia 4 Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Greece The geological history of the Southern Balkans is genuinely complex and it has deeply influenced aquatic species evolution. The Ionian inland waters host the largest proportion of the Greek endemic ichthyofauna. Recent works have shown that the diversity of freshwater fishes of this region has been underestimated. The Eastern Adriatic coast is considered as a “hot spot” for genus Telestes, with small regions displaying exceptionally high diversity. In contrast, in the Ionian basin, a single species of Telestes is currently recognized. The Epiros riffle dace (Telestes pleurobipunctatus, Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) is an Ionian endemic distributed from southern Albania (Butrint lagoon catchment) to Western Peloponnese (Alfios River basin). Previous study revealed the existence of five different lineages within T. pleurobipunctatus by the use of the mitochondrial marker cytochrome b. The occurrence of two different lineages within Louros river basin (south of Epiros region, flowing into Amvrakikos Bay) has also been reported. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive study of T. pleurobipunctatus complex with special emphasis on the Louros River populations. We combined traditional sequencing of cytochrome b with the NGS method of ddRAD (double digest restriction-site associated DNA) sequencing. A dataset of 99 individuals from 11 river basins were analyzed with ddRAD-seq covering the known distribution range of the species. Additionally, over 150 individuals were analyzed by classical sequencing, 91 of them corresponding to populations within Louros catchment. Genome wide data have confirmed the existence of the previously revealed five well-supported lineages: Alfios lineage occurring in the Peloponnese, Evinos-Kotichy-Pinios lineage occurring in the north-west of the Peloponnese Peninsula and south of the mainland, and Acheloos lineage, Arachthos lineage and Northwestern lineage (Acheron-Kalamas-Kerkyra-Butrint) occurring in the northwest of the Ionian basin. Occurrence of two lineages was also confirmed in the Louros river basin. In the upper part of Louros River, the Acheron-Kalamas-Kerkyra-Butrint lineage is found, while in the lower course Arachthos lineage is present. This result can be explained as a case of a secondary contact of unknown origin. In conclusion, our results confirm that the taxonomic revision of this species complex is urgently needed. Our results should be taken into account for the conservation management of T. pleurobipunctatus species complex. Keywords: ddRAD sequencing, Telestes pleurobipunctatus, Cryptic diversity, phylogeny, Phylogeography Conference: XVI European Congress of Ichthyology, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2 Sep - 6 Sep, 2019. Presentation Type: Oral Topic: EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS OF FISHES Citation: VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ N, ŠANDA R, PIÁLEK L, Zogaris S and VUKIĆ J (2019). NGS corroborates cryptic diversity within the Epiros riffle dace (Telestes pleurobipunctatus). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XVI European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2019.07.00038 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 20 Jul 2019; Published Online: 14 Aug 2019. * Correspondence: Mx. Nuria VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ, Department of Ecology, Division of Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Prague, 12844, Czechia, nuria.vinuela.rdgz@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Nuria VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ Radek ŠANDA Lubomír PIÁLEK Stamatis Zogaris Jasna VUKIĆ Google Nuria VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ Radek ŠANDA Lubomír PIÁLEK Stamatis Zogaris Jasna VUKIĆ Google Scholar Nuria VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ Radek ŠANDA Lubomír PIÁLEK Stamatis Zogaris Jasna VUKIĆ PubMed Nuria VIÑUELA RODRÍGUEZ Radek ŠANDA Lubomír PIÁLEK Stamatis Zogaris Jasna VUKIĆ Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Detection of active fault scarps in western Peloponnese, Greece

This study aims at reconstructing Pleistocene slope erosion processes and transformation of relief in well-developed Pleistocene (Tyrrhenian) marine terraces along the western Peloponnese. The investigations are based on existing geological data, field observations, a selected seismic reflection profile, sedimentological analysis and radiometric dating.Aftershock rupture segment extends for 6 km in a WNW direction. Each fault movement in an earthquake results in a sudden increase in the size of the scarp, by an amount ranging from a few centimeters to several meters.Thrust faulting occurs on shallow dipping faults and does not commonly produce a true fault scarp, because the tip of the upper part, over the thrust block, tends to collapse, leaving a sinuous scarp that does not coincide with the fault plane. Strike-slip faulting may result in a scarp if there is a significant extensional or thrust component of motion, or if rock-types with different weathering characteristics and thickness are compared by faulting. Failing this, both active and inactive faults are often marked by a fault-line, a line of preferential erosion along the fault. The combined effects of fault motion, erosion, and sediment deposition affect the form of the scarp and the latter two will eventually eliminate it after movement on the fault ceases. If the rock erosion rates on both fault sides are known or can be assumed to be negligible, and the sediments deposited contain material that can be dated, then the magnitude of the scarp can be used to determine the age at which the scarp began to form and the long-term rate of movement on the fault. More information regarding the relative significance and rate of movement of these faults can be obtained by observing their effects on the drainage pattern in the area.In particular, morphotectonic data indicate that the observed rupture segment may reflect a fault-line scarp corresponding to an old fault scarp, which belongs to the isotopic stage 7 or prior, i.e. isotopic stage 11, during the evolution of NW Peloponnese basin.Moreover, morphotectonic data clearly shows that NW Peloponnese is characterized by a complex structural pattern and erosion process phenomena aided by human activity. This data is well-supported by seismic reflection profiles information.

Stylolitic limestone, the stone of choice for ancient sanctuaries and temples, southwestern Peloponnese, Greece

AbstractAn Upper Cretaceous limestone was the stone of choice for classical Greek buildings and temples within the Pindos belt of the western Peloponnese. Knowledge of its properties at the Sanctuary of Zeus (Mt. Lykaion) is applied here to the Temple of Apollo Epikourios (Bassae) and the Arcadian Gate (Messene). Because of severe contortion and weathering, it was previously concluded that this bedrock was not the stone used at Bassae. Overlooked was the presence and weathered condition of its pervasive stylolites, which are closely spaced (cm‐scale) brain‐suture‐like surfaces resembling bedding laminae along which calcite dissolves and clay residue accumulates. The stylolites convey a false impression that the limestone is thin bedded and prone to splitting. Stylolites form as a response to stress during burial compaction and/or tectonic compression. Released calcium carbonate reprecipitates as calcite veins. The presence of the clay residue accounts for the severely weathered condition of outcrops and blocks. The suitability of this stone as a building material derives from cohesion acquired through bonding of interlocking stylolites and sealing by calcite veins. Its underdeveloped jointing explains how the megablock lintel of the Messene gate was geologically available. Opportunities are presented to evaluate stylolites at other geologically suitable archaeological sites.

An overview of sheep farming features and management practices in the region of south western Peloponnese and how they reflect on milk microbial load

In this study the demographic features, various farm characteristics and milk quality parameters were investigated in sheep farms (n =128) from the North West Peloponnese region, using a prescreen questionnaire. The interviewed sheep farmers were under the control of the regional milk control laboratory of the Hellenic Milk Organization ELGO «Dimitra», which provided us with the corresponding milk quality data for the first quarter of 2014. Our findings regarding the demographic data demonstrated that 23% of farmers were 31-40 years old, 64% of them were high school graduates and 28% had received relevant farming general training; namely 17% of them has designated as “young farmers” in the frame of Third Axis of the Operational Program «Rural Development-Regeneration of the Countryside 2000-2006» and 11% have attended briefings by veterinarians and agriculturists. Ιn terms of farm characteristics, it has been revealed that the mean flock size was 148 sheep and regarding the farming system, the majority of the farms (89.15%) applied a mixed extensive / indoors system. Additionally, regarding building infrastructures and the way of milking, there was limited technological penetration, since the buildings were old-style (77%) and the milking procedure was performed by hands (83%). Concerning the milk composition, the measurements showed mean values of (%) content of fat, protein, lactose and non-fat dry matter (NFDM) at 6.54±0.88, 5.56±0.36, 4.59±0.23 and 10.95±0.42, respectively. Furthermore, the mean value of the total bacterial count (TBC) was found 5.38±0.55 log cfu/ml and the pH value at 6.71±0.11. In general, sheep farmers had a good perception of the integrated management and their prospect for sheep farming was optimistic. The impact of this study is that farmers increase their trust to the educational institutions and are prompted to become more receptive to new adaptive trends.

Preliminary Data of Fluvial Geomorphological Evolution and Its Link with Hazards and Human Impact: The Case of Peiros River, North Western Peloponnese, Greece

River channel dynamics are the result of the complex interaction between natural and human factors, at both local and regional scale. The study of river channel dynamics may be an important way to better understand the mechanisms that rule the functioning of fluvial systems, allowing predictions of its future evolution to be made and appropriate adaptation measures to be taken, remediating the risks related to the fluvial dynamics. The purpose of this study is to present specific aspects concerning the river channel dynamics of Peiros River, NW Peloponnese, Greece and to reveal the role of various control factors. Peiros, the longest river in Achaea, has sources at the NE part of the Erymanthos mountains flowing into Patras gulf. This study traces the various stages of geomorphological evolution of the low part of Peiros's river channel and enables us to study the links between human activity, local tectonics, morphology and fluvial dynamics. The study area belongs to the geotectonic zone of Gavrovo-Tripoli flysch, consisting mainly of medium-bedded fine-grained sandstones and mudstones and influenced by ENE and WNW trending faults aligned with the river flow. The spatial and temporal variability of sediment transport is controlled by various variables, including the natural features of the catchments and human activity. The latter is an important control factor for both the processes of sediment generation, transfer and accumulation and for channel dynamics. At the same time, these processes are responsible on short and long run for the alteration of the river channels, which entail negative environmental consequences. The study revealed restriction of sediment supply, coastal retreat, lateral erosion and migration of the rivers channel that complies with the local tectonics of the area, although major stream offsets are not created. The morphological changes although, are mainly attributed to human intervention factors, such as the construction of a dam and transversal bars that restricted the water flow and consequently the sediment supply. That factor combined with the climate change, had as result to drastically alter the morphology of the area. These morphological changes, except of loss of property and boundary problems, also made the area vulnerable to flush flood events. Structures close to the coast are exposed to more risk because of the measured coast retreat. No remediation measures have been taken, except the installation of rip-rap of limited length and one groin, in an attempt to slow down the coastal retreat and diminish wave action.