Identifying microclimatic, hydrologic and land use impacts on a protected wetland area by using statistical models and GIS techniques

This particular study analyzed past climatic, land use and water management alterations in catchment area of Trichonis Lake, Western Greece, in order to quantify the exact impacts on the surrounding protected wetlands (NATURA 2000 site). Rainfall and water level elevation data have been statistically elaborated to reveal climatic trends. Additionally, GIS methods and remote sensing data have been used to detect the land use changes in the study area and to emphasize the spatio-temporal impacts on the riparian area. A comparative assessment followed between the estimated trends in hydrologic and anthropogenic activities to quantify the contribution of these factors on the degradation of the existing wetlands. The results illustrated that the extent of the riparian zone has been significantly decreased mainly due to land use changes and hydraulic constructions, while climate change has only slightly affected the hydrologic regime of the lake and therefore the ecologically significant wetlands. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.