Ecology & Safety ISSN 1314-7234, Volume 10, 2016 Journal of International Scientific Publications www.scientific-publications.net Page 229 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC RESOURCES AND MANMADE ECO- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: LAKES, PONDS AND WETLANDS MANAGEMENT IN CENTRAL GREECE Αristeidis Mertzanis 1 , Francesco Marabini 2 , Konstantinos Mertzanis 3 , Maceo Giovanni Angeli 4 , Fabrizio Pontoni 5 and Paolo Gasparetto 6 1 Technological Educational Institute of Central Greece, Department of Forestry and Management of Natural Environment, GR-36100, Karpenisi, Greece 2 National Research Council, Institute for Marine Science (ISMAR-CNR), 101 P. Gobetti str., 40129, Bologna (BO), Italy 3 University of the Aegean, School of Business, Department of Financial and Management Engineering, GR- 82100, 41 Kountouriotou str., Chios, Greece 4 National Research Council, Research Institute for Hydrogeological Protection (IRPI-CNR), 06128, Via Madonna Alta, 126 Perugia (PG), Italy 5 Geoequipe S.T.A., Sandro Pertini str., Tolentino (MC), Italy 6 IQT Consulting S.r.l., Rovigo (RO), Italy Abstract Τhe natural lakes Yliki and Paralimni, lake Vromolimni (Kamena Vourla), the artificial lakes Mornos (r. Mornos) and Kremasta (r. Acheloos), the Mediterranean temporary ponds in Mt Oiti and Mt Kallidromos, and the protected wetlands in the valley and delta of Spercheios (Maliakos gulf) and in the Mornos river fan delta (Gulf of Corinth) are among the aquatic resources and delicate ecosystems of Central Greece region (Sterea Hellas). The purpose of the present research is to highlight the main manmade interventions, to evaluate the impact-changes on the natural environment of the research areas, and to propose some ecological restoration proposals and monitoring methods. Key words: central Greece, environment, geomorphology, lagoons, lakes, ponds, wetlands 1. INTRODUCTION Human activities cause the degradation and/or loss of wetland by changing the quality, quantity, and flow rates of water; by increasing pollutant inputs; and by changing species composition as a result of disturbance and the introduction of nonnative species (U.S. E.P.A., 2001). These human activities may also lead to environmental degradation of river waters, lakes and lagoons or to hydro- geomorphological changes and often constitute the cause of environmental destabilization (Vavizos & Mertzanis, 2003). In most cases, anthropogenic interventions lead to the shrinkage of coastal wetlands and the creation of a new, fragile, ecological balance (Zalidis and Matzavelas,1994, Dafis et al., 1997, Mertzanis et al., 2010b, Mertzanis et al., 2011a,b). It should be noted that interventions that result in the alteration of the dynamic evolution of the hydro-geomorphological processes, usually lead to the creation of an “artificial” environment which is largely controlled by humans, and which, in the long run, resupplies and reinforces the environmental threats in the region (Brofas, 1989, Zalidis and Matzavelas,1994, Dafis et al., 1997, Vavizos and Mertzanis, 2003, Mertzanis et al., 2010a,b,c). According to Gerakis (1993), efforts to improve land, in order to make it more productive for agriculture, have been undertaken since antiquity. Homer, Hesiod and Strabo mention drainage works in the Copais wetlands (Homer, Hesiod), while Philip of Macedonia was said to have constructed the tunnel of Angilos to drain the Filippi marshes to the north of Kavala (Stamatopoulos, 1967). Similar works were carried out by the Romans. All of these were abandoned during the Ottoman occupation (1453-1829) and many of the drained wetlands returned to their former status. Drainage works started