| Y. Voutos, A. Sotiropoulou, Ph. Mylonas, P. Bouchagier, T. Exarchos, A. Martinis, K. Kabassi |
| Capturing and evaluating the effects of the expansive species Ailanthus altissima on agro-ecosystems at the Ionian Islands |
| 13th EFITA International Conference, Digital Agriculture Web Conference, May 25-26, 2021 |
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ABSTRACT
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| There are a significant number of agricultural systems with rich and special biodiversity characterized as High Nature Value Farming Systems (HNV) in the Ionian Islands region. These agro-ecosystems cover a significant area in this area and are distinguished in olive groves and vineyards that in some cases cover a significant part of the protected areas (Natura 2000 and SPA). There are solid olive groves but also a large number of scattered trees or clusters as well as vineyards which are largely identified as high quality wine produce. Finally, there are smaller but extremely important examples of HNV such as the Englouvi plateau in Lefkada. On this notion alien expansive species are a serious threat to these systems which produce the danger of spreading unwanted vegetation on agricultural land, while their risk is also identified and recognized in Community legislation on biodiversity protection (Annex II of Article 6 of the CFP Regulation). A very dangerous area-expanding type of weed the ailanthus tree (Ailanthus altissima), which now threatens the natural environment, including crops (olive and viticulture) in the Ionian region, is the research subject that this work negotiates. In this study, we propose a method to survey the spread of ailanthus tree in olive groves and vineyards (HNV areas) on the scope of evaluating the considered agro-ecosystems based on the importance of ecosystems and ecosystem services that provide and preparation of a management plan for HNV areas. We used GIS, RS, IT and communication technology to capture the level of threat and develop effective response plans through a fuzzy synthetic evaluation system. More specifically, we created land cover / land use maps based orthophotos of 0.5 resolution (SENTINEL-2) which where overlayed by geospatial data (polygon type vectors) from Corine 2018 and ILOÔ. All of the study area was analyzed and produced mapping products indicating the affected sites at the Ionian region. The proposed decision support procedure was built through an evaluation index system and applying AHP (analytic hierachy process) that is then supported by SWOT analysis process. The results will be publicly available web platform at a future point of our research. The initial findings of the study are crucial to identify the possible interactions between the parameters alien specie¢s spread that lead to the construction of specific models and corresponding evaluation scenarios. In the case of the Ionian region, the lack of data has created difficulties in the past during the process of the issue. We produced continuous data and comparable information on the subject, which is expected to enhance the on-site research outcomes and further support public evaluation of the studied agro-ecosystems.
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| 25 May , 2021 |
| Y. Voutos, A. Sotiropoulou, Ph. Mylonas, P. Bouchagier, T. Exarchos, A. Martinis, K. Kabassi, "Capturing and evaluating the effects of the expansive species Ailanthus altissima on agro-ecosystems at the Ionian Islands", 13th EFITA International Conference, Digital Agriculture Web Conference, May 25-26, 2021 |
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