"Actions for the conservation of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds in Crete".

'Mediterranean Temporary Ponds' (M.T.P.) is a priority habitat (Natura code: 3170*) in Annex I of the Directive 92/43/EEC. This substantially vulnerable and unstable habitat exists in low-extent areas that due to their specific characteristics are under significant human and natural pressures and have become prone to extinction. This project will focus on five (5) M.T.P. habitat sites in Crete Island which comprises approximately 20% of the total number of this habitat sites in Greece.

M.T.P. habitat sites in Western Crete

The particular project sites have been selected due to their high ecological significance, their serious threats that demand immediate response and their geographical distribution that allows preservation of high proportion of the M.T.P. habitats in Greece by using rational financial means.
This proposed project objectives are:
Immediate objective: Restoration of the Mediterranean Temporary Ponds habitat in Western Crete Island in a favourable status that existed prior to human interference in the area. Long term objective: The protection and preservation of this habitat by providing management solutions that can efficiently overcome the dominant habitat's threats in a long-term basis.

Mediterranean Temporary Pond at Omalos

The main threats of this habitat in the selected sites are:
1. Alteration of the habitat's natural hydroperiod caused mainly by human activities such as water overexploitation, artificial drainage and recharge.
2. Overgrazing which is a common practise in the selected sites and causes direct loss of the habitat,
3. Water pollution and especially eutrophication originating from unsustainable agricultural practices, diversifies the habitat's typical community.
4. Solid waste disposal which is a common threat for the habitat in the selected sites and directs to its immediate loss,
5. Public ignorance since the characteristics of the M.T.P. habitat are not visibly attractive and as a result people tend to overlook it and deteriorate it.
6. Visitors pressure (4x4 vehicles, horse back-riding, football fields) is a significant threat in Crete Island due to the high number of tourists that visit the broader selected sites and the associated environmentally-hostile activities they conduct.

The main actions and means involved in this effort are:
1. for the habitat's alteration of natural hydroperiod various activities will be undertaken including:
a) the hydrologic monitoring of all the selected sites, b) the recovering of habitat natural hydroperiod which will include constructions of low scale ditches, soil transects and recharge regulatory dams according to the hydrologic survey results.
2. for the overgrazing problem a settlement agreement with the interest groups will be attempted through:
a) a habitat management plan that will provide provisions for the grazing level at each site, b) a grazing
watering network that will reduce water abstraction from the ponds for cattle needs and c) a habitat fencing scheme that will allow to control grazing at each site.
3. for the water pollution threat: a) a water quality monitoring network will be established at all selected sites, b) a water quality survey will reveal the exact pollution levels at a site-specific basis and will propose the appropriate measures to be applied and c) the eliminating pollution phase will tackle this problem by implementing the suggestions from the water quality survey which will include buffer zones establishment and cleaning measures if necessary.
4. for the solid waste disposal threat, a) a respective removal and cleaning process will be implemented, in combination with b) a public awareness campaign, c) habitat fencing and d) relevant sign posting.
5. for the public ignorance issue significant efforts will be applied including environmental education sessions at the areas' schools, public seminars and workshops, seminars in target groups, creation and distribution of advertisement material (brochures, posters, stickers, etc.), development of a relevant website, press and multimedia advertisements and information kiosks.
6. for the visitors pressure, a combination of activities will occur such as construction of information kiosks at each site, sign posting, informative material distribution and habitat fencing and seminars to target groups.

The expected results after the completion of the project will include:
1. Re-establishment of the habitats natural hydroperiod, existing prior human interventions.
2. Re-establishment of the habitats' original communities, controlled grazing through management scheme and protective measures to avoid future overegrazing.
3. Restoration and preservation of ponds' water quality in a favourable state.
4. Clean and protected from solid waste habitat areas
5. Participation of public in the habitat's protection and preservation efforts
6. Non-access areas establishment and controlled eco-tourist development
The combination of the aforementioned actions and the achievement of the expected results will direct to the long-term protection and preservation of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds priority habitat in the Island of Crete, which is the main objective of the project.