Proceedings of the 4 th International Conference on Environmental Management, Engineering, Planning and Economics (CEMEPE) and SECOTOX Conference ISBN: 978-960-6865-68-8, Mykonos island, Greece , June 24-28, 2013 1037 Threats to the coastal environment and wetlands in river deltas of Epirus (Northwest Greece) Α. Mertzanis 1* , K. Papadopoulou 2 , G. Goudelis 1 , A. Papadopoulos 1 and G. Efthimiou 3 1 Technological Educational Institute of Lamia, Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment, GR- 36100, Karpenisi, Greece 2 Department of Geology & Geoenvironment, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR- 15784, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, Athens, Greece 3 Technological Educational Institute of Larissa, Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment, GR- 34100, Karditsa, Greece *Corresponding author: E-mail: amertzanis@teilam.gr, Tel +30 2237023282, Fax: +302237024035 Abstract Half of the world's wetlands have disappeared since 1900. Specifically, Greece has lost two thirds of its wetlands during the last seventy-five years; however, many wetlands with considerable conservation value remained. Uncontrolled development and conversion continue to pose major threats to wetlands, despite their value and importance. Conversion of wetlands for commercial development, drainage-irrigation projects, diversion of river channels, extraction of minerals and peat, extraction of raw material for buildings and other constructional works, deepening and creation of canals and construction of dams and dikes, often in an attempt at flood protection, embankments, exsiccation, deforestation of riparian vegetation, intensification and development of agriculture projects, pesticide discharges from intensive agriculture, uncontrolled watering from surface water tables, uncontrolled pumping of underground waters, tourism, hunting, overfishing, overgrazing, are major threats to wetlands everywhere. Also the construction and operation of large dams and reservoirs in the drainage basins, for energy production, irrigation and water supply, may seriously affect the environmental balance of wetlands in the delta area. The intensification of human interventions especially after the decade of 1950, in the delta area and in the drainage basin of some rivers in Epirus, such us Arachthos, Louros, Acheron and Kalamas, have affected the natural ecosystems and the protected wetlands. The purpose of this work is to recognize the main human activities and evaluate the impact-changes of the natural environment and the geomorphology of these areas. Keywords: Arachthos; Acheron; dams; geomorphology; Kalamas; Louros. 1. INTRODUCTION Freshwater wetlands around the Mediterranean Sea have decreased considerably in number and quality. Greece has lost two thirds of its wetlands during the last seventy-five years; however, many wetlands with considerable conservation value remained [5,3,8]. Since then, extensive losses have occurred, with many of the original wetlands drained and converted to farmland, industrial sitings and urban development. A wide range of human activities at the catchment’s areas may lead to environmental deterioration of river waters or to hydro-geomorphological changes and constitute the cause of environmental destabilization. Characteristic examples of wetlands that have been impaired by anthropogenic interventions, are the protected wetlands that exist in Greece, such as those in the delta area and in the estuaries of some rivers in Epirus, such us Arachthos, Louros, Acheron and Kalamas [23,13,21,5,28,27,9,19,20,6,7,10]. Despite the existing strict relevant legal system that applies to these areas and the commitments undertaken by the Greek government for the protection of these specific areas (Ramsar convention, Natura 2000, etc) in most cases, human