Summarization: The Mediterranean temporary ponds (MTPs) are "priority habitats for conservation" (Natura code: 3170*), according to the Habitat Directive of the European Union (92/43/EC) and they are considered as ecological ornaments of the environment. They possess peculiar hydroperiods that provide habitat to many rare and endangered species. The geochemical conditions that prevail in MTPs, create an unique environment, for each one, of high geochemical value, which has not been studied up to now in Greece. The objective of this work is the study of hydrology and geochemistry of a characteristic MTP at Omalos plateau. ; Παρουσιάστηκε στο: Restoration and Protection of the Environment VIII
Sustainable agriculture is urgently needed to promote conservation and sustainable resources use in an equitable manner through integrated management of land, water, energy and biodiversity. In this way, education in agriculture emerges as a crucial tool for preparing agricultural technicians, researchers and farmers for productive contributions. Higher education institutions arise with an important mission of education in the context of social transformation and to integrate sustainable development into the educational system as a scientific subject. The aim of this study was to identify the training and learning needs to be included in a MSc program in sustainable agriculture. It was based on a questionnaire prepared and distributed to academics' experts in Agrarian Sciences in Greece, Italy and Portugal. Technologies, legislation, management and business, local community leadership and marketing were the training needs considered very important expertise's in sustainable agriculture. Traditional face-to-face learning, experienced farmers as mentors and knowledge sharing mechanisms were rated as very applicable and important. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, online learning methods, which were not considered suitable for a MSc program in sustainable agriculture, became important by providing online education. Information and communication technology and technological tools showed to be important skills for sustainable agricultural practices to effectively implement online learning and to improve the efficient access, exposure and use of up-to-date information of the agricultural sector and awareness of sustainable agricultural practices.
Abstract. Hydro-meteorological hazards like convective outbreaks leading to torrential rain and floods are among the most critical environmental issues world-wide. In that context weather radar observations have proven to be very useful in providing information on the spatial distribution of rainfall that can support early warning of floods. However, quantitative precipitation estimation by radar is subjected to many limitations and uncertainties. The use of dual-polarization at high frequency (i.e. X-band) has proven particularly useful for mitigating some of the limitation of operational systems, by exploiting the benefit of easiness to transport and deploy and the high spatial and temporal resolution achievable at small antenna sizes. New developments on X-band dual-polarization technology in recent years have received the interest of scientific and operational communities in these systems. New enterprises are focusing on the advancement of cost-efficient mini-radar network technology, based on high-frequency (mainly X-band) and low-power weather radar systems for weather monitoring and hydro-meteorological forecasting. Within the above context, the main objective of the HYDRORAD project was the development of an innovative \\mbox{integrated} decision support tool for weather monitoring and hydro-meteorological applications. The integrated system tool is based on a polarimetric X-band mini-radar network which is the core of the decision support tool, a novel radar products generator and a hydro-meteorological forecast modelling system that ingests mini-radar rainfall products to forecast precipitation and floods. The radar products generator includes algorithms for attenuation correction, hydrometeor classification, a vertical profile reflectivity correction, a new polarimetric rainfall estimators developed for mini-radar observations, and short-term nowcasting of convective cells. The hydro-meteorological modelling system includes the Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) and the Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center hydrologic and hydraulic modelling chain. The characteristics of this tool make it ideal to support flood monitoring and forecasting within urban environment and small-scale basins. Preliminary results, carried out during a field campaign in Moldova, showed that the mini-radar based hydro-meteorological forecasting system can constitute a suitable solution for local flood warning and civil flood protection applications.
