Ecological impacts due to hydraulic technical projects to ecosystems near Natura 2000 network

Abstract

The construction of hydraulic technical projects plays an important role in preserving water resources for the continuously increase of water needs espe-cially due to the last climate changes. Though water reservoirs contribution in lo-cal economic prosperity is substantial, questions rise about the possible impacts on protected areas near the construction site. This study established an environmental information system in combination with an eco-environmental vulnerability as-sessment method using Analytical Hierarchy Process and GIS tools in order to re-veal areas of possible threats for protected species of Natura 2000 sites due to a hydraulic technical project construction. Using the proposed methodology it be-came possible to assess and map the expected ecological impacts on endangered species of a Natura 2000 site, due to the technical project activities at the construc-tion and operation phase of Akropotamos dam (Kavala, Greece).