Archive for category: Ecology

I.A.CO as a subcontractor of the DFMR, in the context of the Meltemi project, provides services for the completion of tasks regarding public and stakeholder awareness raising and education, in order to combat/minimize the issue of marine litters.

CLIENT: Department of Fisheries and Marine Research

REGION: Paphos area

TYPE: Environmental policy

DURATION: 08/2018-11/2019

OTHER PARTNERS: —-

DFMR, following a tender procedure, subcontracted I.A.CO Environmental & Water Consultants in order to provide services in the implementation of various deliverables of MELTEMI project. MELTEMI – MarinE litter transnational LegislaTion EnchanceMent and Improvement project, has been approved for funding by the European Commission under Interreg 2014-2020, Balkan-Mediterranean and is designed to address the problem of marine litter.

Marine litter is a complex and transboundary environmental problem, with increasing concern worldwide. Today it is evident that effective policy and reduction measures should be urgently put in place, not only on local/national level, but also in regional/sub-regional. The overall objective of the MELTEMI project is to enhance the legal framework and increase the capacity of public authorities, stakeholders and society at large on mitigating marine litter pollution. Along with the assessment of marine litter in beaches and sea, the project foresees an active engagement of society and the key-players; which will be achieved by informing, ‘educating’ training and networking them on a science and policy assessment framework of marine litter.

MELTEMI’ s approach is based on the creation of transnational networks between Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria and Albania, where marine litter on the coastal zone will be assessed, with the aim to review the world’s best practices and tools and adapt them to countries’ needs.

More information on the project can be found: https://meltemi-balkanmed.eu/

The overall objective of the project was the collection of data and the preparation of distribution maps for the Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern in Cyprus.

CLIENT: Department of Environment

REGION: Area under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus

TYPE: Ecology

DURATION: 09/2018-11/2019

OTHER PARTNERS: —-

DESCRIPTION:

Main aim of the project was the collection of geospatial information, regarding the presence of the Invasive Alien Species of Union concern encountered in Cyprus. These are the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkia) and the fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum). The collection of information on the presence of species included field work and the set-up of bait traps for the freshwater turtle and the crayfish and onsite collection and lab identification for the grass.

The geospatial information was issued for the creation of grid maps 10×10 km per species. Moreover, recommendations were made for further elaboration of the data collected.

Environmental Management Plan of “Akamas Peninsula” (Natura 2000 Network)

The Akamas Peninsula is located in the western part of Cyprus in Paphos and has been designated both as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). It is an area of great natural beauty unaffected by development with important flora and fauna diversity. The objective of the project was the formulation of the Environmental Management Plan of “Akamas Peninsula”, which aims to the protection, management and enhancement of the natural environment, taking into account the existing socioeconomic conditions.

Client: Environment Department Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Cyprus

Region: Cyprus

Type: Ecology

Duration: 05/2012 – 11/2013

Other Partners: –

The Akamas Peninsula is located in the western part of Cyprus in Paphos District and has been included in the Natura 2000 Network, designated both as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). It covers a total area 18.131 ha, of which 43.57% are marine area and 56.43% are inland area. It is an area of great natural beauty unaffected by development. The uniqueness of the area for Cyprus, and for the whole of the Mediterranean, is due to its diversity of flora and fauna. Akamas is also an important sea turtle nesting area, where both the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta-caretta) and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest.

The objective of the project was the formulation of the Environmental Management Plan of “Akamas Peninsula”, which aims to the protection, management and enhancement of the natural environment, taking into account the existing socioeconomic conditions.

The tasks that were successfully completed and the services that were provided were:

• Analysis of the current conditions and human driven pressures, based both on available data and references, as well as extensive field work. Emphasis was given to characteristics of major importance such as sea turtles, inland dunes, gorges, endemic flora species, Chiroptera populations, Pinus sp. forests etc.
• Assessment of evolutionary trends concerning the conservation status of habitats and species and the main pressures and threats due mainly to touristic development and various economic activities
• Public consultation with local communities and stakeholders
• Defining the main Conservation Objectives for achieving the Favourable Conservation Status for species and habitats according to the 92/43/EEC Directive
• Monitoring plans for the flora species of Tulipa cypria and for 4 inland dune habitats
• Environmental management plan which includes proposals for protection zones and measures that aim to the area’s protection and management
• Cost estimation of planned projects, works and studies
• Preparation of detailed maps, using mainly ArcGIS that present the area’s geology, topography, hydrology, land use, regional boundaries, infrastructures, human activities, vegetation, habitats, coastline visibility and protection zones

Environmental Management Plan of National Forest Sites of “Limassol, Akapnou and Ayios Mamas”.

The National Forest Sites of Limassol, Akapnou and Ayios Mamas are located southern of the Troodos mountain range and northern of the city of Limassol. A great percentage of the National Forest Sites belongs to the Natura 2000 Network. The objective of the project was the formulation of the Environmental Management Plan of the National Forest Sites, which aims to the protection and conservation of the forests’ biodiversity and ecosystems.

Client: Forestry Department Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
Cyprus

Region: Cyprus

Type: Ecology

Duration: 12/2010 – 01/2013

Other Partners: NERCO – N. Chlykas & Associates (Greece)

The total area of the three National Forest Sites is 6.926 ha, of which 65% is part of the Natura 2000 Network. The species Pinguicula crystallina and Peucedanum kyriakae had priority for management measures. Pinguicula crystallina is included in the endangered species, Annexes II & IV of Directive 92/43/EEC and is characterized as “Vulnerable” in the Red Book. The species Peucedanum kyriakae is designated as “Endangered” due to its limited number. The area east of the Kakomali area until Akapnou forest, is of great importance for migratory raptors, as it is used as a resting station for many species during their migration. Especially, Pernis apivorus has been recorded in large numbers, up to 800 birds stationing in the region. The most important species of birds that breed in the region, such as diurnal (e.g. Aquila fasciata, Accipiter gentilis) and nocturnal raptors (e.g. Otus scops cyprius, Tyto alba), depend on the existence of mature and extensive forest, combined with gaps or open areas for foraging.

The objective of the project was the formulation of the Environmental Management Plan of the National Forest Sites, which aims the protection and conservation of the forests’ biodiversity and ecosystems.

The tasks that were successfully completed and the services that were provided were:

• Analysis of the current situation, based both on available data and references, as well as field work
• Assessment of the main pressures and threats due mainly to fire events, insects and plant infections
• Proposals for protection zones and measures that aim to the area’s protection and management, for restoration and conservation of endemic and rare plant species with emphasis on endangered species, for enhancing public awareness, for improving the forest quality, for better control of hunting activities and fire events
• Cost estimation of planned projects, works and studies
• Preparation of detailed maps, that present the area’s geology, topography, hydrology, land use, regional boundaries, infrastructures, human activities, vegetation, habitats and protection zones

Appropriate Assessment based on the provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EC for the proposed Dam in NATURA 2000 Site near Souskiou village, Pafos

The project concerns a diversion – recharge dam, earthen type with a gabion spillway of 6m height and capacity of about 225.000 m³. The proposed dam is located in the valley of Diarizos River, in Paphos. This area has been included in the Natura 2000 Network, designated both as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The objective of this project was the Appropriate Assessment for the proposed Dam – based on the provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EC – to evaluate whether the proposed dam is likely to have significant negative impacts on the important habitats and species of the Natura 2000 (SCI & SPA) area.

Client: Water Development Department Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Cyprus

Region: Cyprus

Type: Ecology

Duration: 06/2012 – 12/2013

Other Partners: –

The project concerns a diversion – recharge dam, earthen type with a gabion spillway of 6m height and capacity of about 225.000 m3. The construction of the proposed dam aims 1) to the recharge of the downstream aquifer, 2) to meet the irrigation needs of the villages in the area and 3) to flood control.

The proposed dam is located in the valley of Diarizos River, in Paphos. This area has been included in the Natura 2000 Network, designated both as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and as a Site of Community Importance (SCI).

The objective of this project was the Appropriate Assessment for the proposed Dam – based on the provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EC – to evaluate whether the proposed dam is likely to have significant negative impacts on the important habitats and species of the Natura 2000 (SCI & SPA) area.

The area is important for many birds’ species that are feeding, breeding and nesting there and also includes a priority habitat 6220 – Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals.

The tasks that were successfully completed and the services that were provided were:

• Screening – Preliminary Identification of the likely significant impacts of the project on the Natura site, also in combination with other projects and activities in the area (wind farm, existing dam upstream, road network, animal husbandry activities)
• Detailed description of the project and identification of all the elements that have the potential for significantly affecting the site
• Extensive field work to record bird species in the area and also to accurately map the habitats that might be affected by the proposed dam
• Detailed evaluation of the significant impacts of the project on the important characteristics of the Natura site
• Assessment of mitigation measures against the impacts identified
• Examination of alternative ways of achieving the project objectives that avoid any significant impacts on the Site
• Analysis of the objectives of the project in order to address the issues of “imperative reasons of overriding public interest” and “human health or safety considerations or important environmental benefits” that can derive from the proposed project
• Presentation of the results to the Environmental Authority