LULC Change Effects on Environmental Quality and Ecosystem Services Using EO Data in Two Rural River Basins in Thrace, Greece

Abstract

Rural abandonment and associated rapid urbanization, agricultural intensification, and climate change have been key factors transforming terrestrial landscapes, with significant impacts on the environmental quality and the ecosystem services (ES) provided to human welfare. In this study, two understudied rural river basins located in Thrace, North Greece, were selected to assess changes in landscape pattern, composition, and eco-environmental quality and ecosystem services values (ESV). Cloud-based remote sensing (RS) analyses of multitemporal Landsat imagery in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform were applied for multitemporal land use/land cover changes (LULCC) quantification between 1984–2021, along with landscape pattern, eco-environmental quality, and ES assessment. Although ecosystem changes observed were not extensive over this period, eco-environmental quality appeared to be affected due to fragmentation. Preserving the ecosystem’s naturalness can enhance cultural ES to avoid further values loss originating from provisioning ES exploitation. This study highlights the strong connection between landscape configuration and eco-environmental quality, emphasizing the strong impact that anthropogenic activities have on the environment. The monitoring of the effects of LULCC on ecosystem health and the economic value of ES is crucial for the introduction of spatial planning and restoration policies.

Monitoring Water Quality Parameters in Small Rivers Using SuperDove Imagery

“…The prevailing climate in the region is Mediterranean, transitioning to Mediterranean Highland in the mountainous parts of the area. The southern areas receive annual rainfall from 500 to 600 mm, while in the interior, it varies between 600 and 1000 mm [36]. The mean annual temperature is 14.5 to 16.5 • C, with a significant annual thermometric range exceeding 20 • C.…”

“…This leads to contamination by nitrate (NO 3 ), nitrite (NO 2 ), and ammonia (NH 4 ), as well as increased levels of conductivity (EC) and chloride ions (Cl). Despite its ecological significance, the river lacks integrated management, with only its downstream parts designated as a Natura 2000 site [36,37].…”

“…It plays a crucial role in irrigating the surrounding cultivated fields, and a substantial portion of the river is protected under the Natura 2000 regime, highlighting its environmental importance [38]. Despite this, the Lissos River faces several challenges, including contamination from industrial wastes, crop pesticides, and sand extractions [36].…”

Ecosystem Services Supply from Peri-Urban Watersheds in Greece: Soil Conservation and Water Retention

“…They provide a nuanced understanding of the supply and demand dynamics of ecosystem services, characterized by intricate interactions between natural processes and human activities. Scholars address these challenges by evaluating ecosystem services using watershed-scale approaches [30][31][32]. However, most studies are conducted as case studies rather than on a broader scale.…”

Water Quality of Eastern Mediterranean Catchments Subject to Different Environmental Pressures Employing Autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)

“…Therefore, it is crucial for catchments to maintain their water quality conditions and strive, if possible, to achieve a high ecological and chemical status by the year 2027 [1][2][3]. Greek catchments face several key anthropogenic pressures derived by industrial activities, extensive livestock farming in sub-basins draining into lakes or rivers and agricultural practices [4]. Additional activities potentially affecting water resources comprise fisheries, hydropower, recreation and cultural practices within the catchment area, including water abstraction for Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions, and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s).…”