Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring in Crete: Case Study Presentation
Researchers from HL7 Europe and the Hellenic Mediterranean University presented the case of Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring in Heraklion, Crete (Greece) in a poster presentation at the HL7 Working Group Meeting 2025 in Lisbon.
Urbanization poses significant challenges to aquatic ecosystems, with streams being particularly vulnerable. In Crete, the impacts of urban development on streams have necessitated the implementation of robust tracking and monitoring methods to ensure the health and sustainability of these water bodies.
To accurately assess the health of urban streams, a comprehensive approach involving various methodologies has been adopted, following OneAquaHealth protocols. Earth observation (EO) techniques provide valuable data on land use changes and vegetation cover, offering insights into the broader environmental context. Ground monitoring of soil and riparian vegetation helps evaluate the immediate impacts of urbanization on stream banks and surrounding ecosystems.
Water chemistry analysis is another crucial component, allowing researchers to detect changes in water quality and identify potential contaminants. Biological modeling, including fish health assessments, provides a deeper understanding of the biological responses to urbanization and helps gauge the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem.
All these methods fall under the umbrella of geoinformatics and statistics, enabling the integration and analysis of diverse data sets to provide a comprehensive view of the ecosystem’s health. By leveraging these advanced techniques, the impacts of urbanization on its streams can be monitored more holistically, ensuring long-term One Health and as such, a better balance between people, animal and ecosystem health.
Presenters: Chronaki C.,Facile R., Kokolakis S., Karagiannidou M.1, Kokinou E.
References:
Ranta E, Vidal-Abarca MR, Calapez AR, Feio MJ. Urban stream assessment system (UsAs): An integrative tool to assess biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services. Ecological Indicators. 2021 Feb;121:106980.
Kokinou E, Zacharioudaki DE, Kokolakis S, Kotti M, Chatzidavid D, Karagiannidou M, et al. Spatiotemporal environmental monitoring of the karst-related Almyros Wetland (Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Eastern Mediterranean). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2023 Aug;195(8):955–955.
OneAquaHealth [Internet]. [cited 2025 Feb 3]. OneAquaHealth. Available from: https://www.oneaquahealth.eu/
Kokolakis S, Kokinou E, Chronaki C. Monitoring the healthy status of urban streams. E3S Web Conf. 2024;585:09002.