Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities

Riparian ecosystems in urban environments are usually degraded. Their sustainable management can reduce water pollution, mitigate climate change while providing recreation opportunities. This study assessed the current condition of the streams/torrents and their riparian areas in the city of Drama i...

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Autores principales:	G. Gkiatas, I. Kasapidis, P. Koutalakis, V. Iakovoglou, A. Savvopoulou, I. Germantzidis, G. N. Zaimes
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	IWA Publishing 2021
Materias:	eco-routes gis hydrologic models riparian swat visual protocols Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 River, lake, and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/66f1b263fb484ef7a158e3e58abc1a7d
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:66f1b263fb484ef7a158e3e58abc1a7d2021-11-06T10:08:28ZEnhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities1606-97491607-079810.2166/ws.2021.114https://doaj.org/article/66f1b263fb484ef7a158e3e58abc1a7d2021-09-01T00:00:00Zhttp://ws.iwaponline.com/content/21/6/2974https://doaj.org/toc/1606-9749https://doaj.org/toc/1607-0798Riparian ecosystems in urban environments are usually degraded. Their sustainable management can reduce water pollution, mitigate climate change while providing recreation opportunities. This study assessed the current condition of the streams/torrents and their riparian areas in the city of Drama in Greece. In addition, practices to improve their functionality and enhance community awareness were recommended. A spatial database of the wider urban setting including suburbs and rural areas (weather, land cover, soils, roads, protected areas, riparian areas, etc.) was developed within GIS. The datasets were then inputted in a hydrologic model to simulate the water balance and stream discharge in the main urban streams and torrents. Field measurements of stream water discharge, and vegetation and stream channel conditions were undertaken using two visual protocols. The results of the protocols indicate that most streams/torrents and their riparian areas are of low ecological quality. Nature-based solutions were recommended to improve their ecological quality. In addition, the implementation of Eco-Routes was recommended to enhance the awareness of their importance and to promote their sustainable management. Overall, the urban streams/torrents and riparian ecosystems of Drama are degraded and innovative management practices should be implemented to conserve them and feature their ecosystem services. HIGHLIGHTS The urban streams/torrents and riparian areas of Drama City are degraded.; Spatial databases should be utilized by the authorities for urban planning.; Hydrologic models are essential for the sustainable management of urban water resources.; Nature-based solutions can restore the streams/torrent and their riparian areas.; Eco-Routes can enhance the awareness on the importance of riparian areas.;G. GkiatasI. KasapidisP. KoutalakisV. IakovoglouA. SavvopoulouI. GermantzidisG. N. ZaimesIWA Publishingarticleeco-routesgishydrologic modelsriparianswatvisual protocolsWater supply for domestic and industrial purposesTD201-500River, lake, and water-supply engineering (General)TC401-506ENWater Supply, Vol 21, Iss 6, Pp 2974-2988 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	eco-routes gis hydrologic models riparian swat visual protocols Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 River, lake, and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506
spellingShingle	eco-routes gis hydrologic models riparian swat visual protocols Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 River, lake, and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506 G. Gkiatas I. Kasapidis P. Koutalakis V. Iakovoglou A. Savvopoulou I. Germantzidis G. N. Zaimes Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
description	Riparian ecosystems in urban environments are usually degraded. Their sustainable management can reduce water pollution, mitigate climate change while providing recreation opportunities. This study assessed the current condition of the streams/torrents and their riparian areas in the city of Drama in Greece. In addition, practices to improve their functionality and enhance community awareness were recommended. A spatial database of the wider urban setting including suburbs and rural areas (weather, land cover, soils, roads, protected areas, riparian areas, etc.) was developed within GIS. The datasets were then inputted in a hydrologic model to simulate the water balance and stream discharge in the main urban streams and torrents. Field measurements of stream water discharge, and vegetation and stream channel conditions were undertaken using two visual protocols. The results of the protocols indicate that most streams/torrents and their riparian areas are of low ecological quality. Nature-based solutions were recommended to improve their ecological quality. In addition, the implementation of Eco-Routes was recommended to enhance the awareness of their importance and to promote their sustainable management. Overall, the urban streams/torrents and riparian ecosystems of Drama are degraded and innovative management practices should be implemented to conserve them and feature their ecosystem services. HIGHLIGHTS The urban streams/torrents and riparian areas of Drama City are degraded.; Spatial databases should be utilized by the authorities for urban planning.; Hydrologic models are essential for the sustainable management of urban water resources.; Nature-based solutions can restore the streams/torrent and their riparian areas.; Eco-Routes can enhance the awareness on the importance of riparian areas.;
format	article
author	G. Gkiatas I. Kasapidis P. Koutalakis V. Iakovoglou A. Savvopoulou I. Germantzidis G. N. Zaimes
author_facet	G. Gkiatas I. Kasapidis P. Koutalakis V. Iakovoglou A. Savvopoulou I. Germantzidis G. N. Zaimes
author_sort	G. Gkiatas
title	Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
title_short	Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
title_full	Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
title_fullStr	Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
title_full_unstemmed	Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
title_sort	enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities
publisher	IWA Publishing
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/66f1b263fb484ef7a158e3e58abc1a7d
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Enhancing urban and sub-urban riparian areas through ecosystem services and ecotourism activities

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