Application of DPSIR method for integrated management of the transboundary aquifer in Prespa-Ohrid basin

<p>The transboundary aquifers are of utmost importance to sustain water supply in present days. The exploitation of these aquifers has to be only in a sustainable and rational way, in order to sustain the quantity and quality of the aquifers' groundwater. A transboundary aquifer is developed in karstified limestones between the lakes Great Prespa (shared between North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece ) and Ohrid (shared between North Macedonia and Albania). The karst mountainous area is characterized by the presence of numerous crevices, sinkholes, as surface forms, and caves, canals, etc., as underground forms. The elevation of Prespa Lake is about 153 m higher than that of Ohrid Lake, and the two lakes represent a common hydraulic system, protected by international conventions. Prespa Lake is characterized by a continuous decline in water level during the last decades. The transboundary karstic aquifer is a complex system, discharging through numerous karstic springs (e.g., Saint Naum, Tushemisht, etc.), and operating as a hydrocollector and hydroconductor between the lakes. The aquifer is vulnerable to external pollution, as well as to climate changes affecting the lakes’ ecosystems. Agriculture, livestock, and tourism are the main activities in the wider area.</p><p>The DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) model, adopted by European Environmental Agency, was applied in GIS context, in order to study and analyze the main causes of pressures and to optimize the measures for integrated aquifer management. In addition, the aim of DPSIR technique is the correlation of the driving forces and pressures with the present status of the complex hydraulic system and finally to optimize the aquifer management. The major driving forces that affect the Prespa-Ohrid basin are the irrigated agriculture, the livestock, the tourism development, and population growth. The main pressures are the overexploitation of the aquifer, water pollution, and the decline of the water level of Lake Prespa.</p><p>Based on the results of DPSIR, a set of measures and appropriate policy responses are proposed. Finally, DPSIR is a valuable tool for local authorities and administrators in order to plan and implement strategies for integrated and sustainable management of the transboundary karst aquifer and its dependent ecosystems.</p>

Interannual and Spatial Variability of Cyanotoxins in the Prespa Lake Area, Greece

The Prespa Lakes area in Greece—comprised partly of lake Great and lake Lesser Prespa and the Vromolimni pond—has a global importance for biodiversity. Although the waters show regular cyanobacteria blooms, assessments of water quality threats are limited. Samples collected in 2012 revealed scattered and low microcystin (MC) concentrations in Great Prespa (<0.2 μg MC L−1) whereas considerable spatial heterogeneity in both total chlorophyll (2.4–93 µg L−1) and MC concentrations (0.04–52.4 µg MC L−1) was detected in Lesser Prespa. In 2013, there was far less spatial variability of MC concentrations in Lesser Prespa (0.4–1.53 µg L−1), however in 2014, increased concentrations were detected near the lakeshore (25–861 µg MC L−1). In Vromolimni pond the MC concentrations were on average 26.6 (±6.4) µg MC L−1 in 2012, 2.1 (±0.3) µg MC L−1 in 2013 and 12.7 (±12.5) µg MC L−1 in 2014. In 2013, no anatoxins, saxitoxins, nor cylindrospermopsins were detected in Lesser Prespa and Vromolimni waters. Tissue samples from carps, an otter and Dalmatian Pelicans contained 0.4–1.9 µg MC g−1 dry weight. These results indicate that cyanotoxins could be a threat to the ecosystem functions of particularly Lesser Prespa and Vromolimni.

First record of the Western Greece goby - Economidichthys pygmaeus (Holly, 1929), in Greater Prespa Lake (Albania)

Economidichthys pygmaeus (Holly, 1929) is recorded based on specimens originating from Greater Prespa Lake, southeast Albania, at the intersection between Albania, Greece and North Macedonia. It represents the first record of the species in the Albanian part of this Lake. In the Mediterranean region, the ‘sand gobies’ are widespread playing an important role in different aquatic ecosystems, including the smallest European freshwater fish. The aim of the present contribution was to provide the first information on the presence E. pygmaeus in Greater Prespa Lake confirmed through 16 specimens caught in two localities. Most of the captured specimen were adults with a total length (TL) of 29-37 mm, while 5 specimens were Y-O-Y of (17-20 mm TL).

Monitoring Changes in the Prespa Lake Watershed Using Remote Sensing Data

Surface water is one of the most vital Earth resources changing in time and space as a consequence of land use/land cover (LULC) changes, climate change, and other environmental factors. Timely monitoring of the water area and its surroundings is essential for policy and decision-making processes. Monitoring the land cover changes with conventional methods may consume significant time and resources. With the development of remote sensing, land cover monitoring has become practical and effective. The most practical way for monitoring the changes is with the classification of satellite imagery. The main aim of the study is to make a five-year land cover change in a watershed using remote sensing data. For this purpose, two satellite images, from RapidEye-3 and Sentinel-2 have been classified. As a study area, the Prespa Lake watershed has been selected. The Prespa Lake is situated in the Balkan Peninsula and is shared among Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. For the purpose of the study, a semi-automated object-based classification model has been developed. The results from the classification showed significant accuracy of 93 – 96%. For future studies, it is recommended further investigation, such as using monthly satellite imagery and modeling precipitation and meteorological data.

ТHE AGREEMENT WITH THE REPUBLIC OF GREECE ON RESOLUTION THE DISPUTE OF NAME AND MACEDONIAN NATIONAL IDENTITY

On 17.6.2018, in the village of Nivitsi on the Greek coast of Prespa Lake, the heads of diplomacy of Macedonia and Greece, Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kodzias, signed the "Final Agreement for Disputes described in Resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993) of the United Nations Security Council to cease the validity of the 1995 Interim Accord and to establish a strategic partnership between the parties."According to the Agreement, the new name the Republic of Macedonia is "Republic of North Macedonia". It will be used erga omnes, that is, at every opportunity both in the country and abroad. The terms "Macedonia" and "Macedonian" in relation to the Republic of North Macedonia denote its territory, language, people and their characteristics, with their own history, culture, and heritage. The official language of the country is Macedonian, while citizenship is "Macedonian / Citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia". The agreement was also signed by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz. This agreement, also known in the public, as the Prespa Treaty, ended the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece.Following the ratification of the Agreement by the parliaments of the two countries, it commenced its implementation. In the procedure for its implementation, the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia adopted four amendments at its session on 11 January 2019: amending the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia in the Republic of North Macedonia, amending the preamble to the Constitution of the Republic, amending Article 3 and replacement of Article 49 of the Constitution (Amendments XXXIII to XXXXVI).The signing of the Agreement divided the Macedonian public. Some (the majority) supported and still support the Agreement, some strongly opposed it. The opposition has regularly been followed by criticism on the Agreement. The criticisms often contained two theses: the first of them was that by the implementation of the Agreement the identity of the Macedonian people would be lost, and the second, always related to the first, that the identity of the Macedonian state would be lost. In this paper we have made an effort to prove the inaccuracy of those theses by applying the method of content analysis based on the principles of formal logic and the dialectical method.

GIS: A USEFUL TOOL FOR MANAGING OF TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFERS: A CASE STUDY FROM PRESPA LAKE BASIN

Prespa Lake Basin is a transboundary basin that’s shared between Albania-Greece-FYROM. This region has a very complicated geology. The main aquifer systems are developed in carbonate rocks (karst aquifers) crossing international borders (transboundary aquifers). A map was constructed in GIS environment clearly display that each geologic age has one index, in one polygon, with the respective geological formation. The map was first digitalized with an AutoCAD program and then all the layers were exported in the program mentioned above. Not only does this map represent the hydrogeological features of the area but it also serves as a database of general characteristics, such as, the rock type, the infiltration coefficient, the yield of wells and springs, groundwater resource and permeability can be found on this base. Furthermore, chemical data can be added to the map, supplying more information on the surface and groundwater. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a useful tool for water resources management in the frame of international cooperation and coordination.