Establishing a bio-monitoring program of plant species and habitats of the Mesogaia area (Athens, Greece)

SOFIA SPANOU1, GEORGIOS VERROIOS1, GEORGIOS DIMITRELLOS1, ARGYRO LIVANIOU-TINIAKOU1, THEODOROS GEORGIADIS1* and ANASTASIOS ANAGNOSTOPOULOS2 1 Botanical Institute – Plant Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR 265 00, Patras, Greece 2 Athens International Airport S.A., Wildlife & Landscaping Environmental Services Department, GR 190 19, Spata, Greece

Ever-increasing human activities in the Mesogaia area (prefecture of Attiki, Greece) have caused severe environmental disturbances and alteration of the area’s natural ecosystems. The construction and operation of the new Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” in the area is expected to amplify these disturbances directly or indirectly. Bio-monitoring of the remaining natural habitat types is of high importance; therefore, a research project was established in order to monitor any impacts induced by the construction and operation of the new International Airport and the prospective development of the surrounding area. A detailed survey of the flora and vegetation of the area and vegetation mapping enabled the authors to identify and record the habitat types, plant communities and the area’s ecosystem dynamics, as well as to evaluate anticipated environmental impacts. Subsequently, a number of plant taxa connected with conservation references are presented here, along with several habitat types considered important for plants and animals.

From Journal of Biological Research