LIFE-Environment STRYMON: Ecosystem Based Water Resources Management to Minimize Environmental Impacts from Agriculture Using State of the Art Modelling Tools in Strymonas Basin

The Greek part of Strymonas river basin is located at the north of the region of Central Macedonia and covers an area of 6,400 km2. Strymonas river and lake Kerkini (artificial lake fed by Strymonas) are the main surface water bodies in the basin, which in turn support the natural enrichment of the basin with groundwater Lake Kerkini constructed during 1933-36 mainly for protection against floods caused by Strymonas river. It was used as reservoir for irrigation water. During resent decades a unique wetland ecosystem has been developed on its shores, which is protected by Ramsar Convention and by EU Directives. The Strymonas river outflows to Strymonikos gulf whose coastal ecosystems are very important for fisheries, biodiversity and tourism. The specific objective of the project is to promote the role of modern technologies and scientific methods in the study and resolution of the aforementioned problems, through:- State-of-the-art hydrological simulation tools for assessing the impacts of agricultural sector on the status of surface waters and groundwater in the basin.- Development and use of modern tools for monitoring water quality and quantity of water resources in the Strymonas river catchment.- Use of optimization methods for the elaboration and suggestion of solutions for the sustainable management, protection, and restoration of all water bodies in the basin. The economic assessment of the agricultural production in the environmentally sensitive area of Strymonas basin included the collection of primary data from local farms. The analysis was carried out in two stages. First, a descriptive technical and economic analysis was employed in order to shed light on the various practices followed within the study area. Then the possibilities of simulianeously achieving environmental goals such as the reduction of agrochemical and irrigation water use as weΙΙ as acceptable faιm incomes were examined. The empirical analysis employed the multiobjective programming method in order to define alternative crop plans. 

Participating Faculty and Staff: 
Starting Date: 
2 003
Ending Date: 
2 007
Funded by: 
The project is co-funded by the European Commission, the Goulandris Natural History Museum-Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre (EKBY), the Prefecture of Serres, the Development Agency of Serres S.A. and the Local Association for the Protection of Lake Kerkini.