«Coastal Communities for Sustainable Management of Marine and Dune Habitats in Natura 2000 Network»

 

Project: 101215969-LIFE24-NAT-IT-LIFE terrAmare
Duration: 1/10/2025 – 30/09/2031
P.I.: Michalis Probonas
UoC-NHMC Budget: 415.324,78 €
Funding Body: E.U./ CINEA (60%)

Project Website

 

 

The aim of the LIFE terrAmare project is to improve the conservation status of key coastal habitats in Italy and Greece. In Greece, the pilot areas for implementing actions are the Korission Lagoon in Corfu and the island of Gavdos in Crete. At a national level, Gavdos features the largest area of the priority habitat 2250* (coastal dunes with Juniperus macrocarpa and Juniperus turbinata).

Coastal ecosystems, including sand dune habitats and Posidonia oceanica meadows, play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and protection against erosion. However, these ecosystems are under threat from both natural factors, such as climate change, and human activities, including urbanization, uncontrolled tourism development, and the introduction of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS).

The project aims to contribute to the conservation of these ecosystems by undertaking a series of actions, such as:
• reducing invasive alien plant species (IAPS),
• stabilizing sand dunes,
• restoring vegetation, with priority given to planting endemic species,
• providing reliable information, raising awareness, and mobilizing citizens and visitors.

In this context, the active participation of both the local community and relevant stakeholders is of significant importance. More specifically, 9 “Ecological Beach Communities” will be established, consisting of representatives from local authorities and tourism businesses, as well as citizen associations, to cooperate on habitat protection. At the same time, the use of digital tools is expected to encourage and strengthen engagement through citizen science initiatives. In addition, emphasis will be placed on developing educational programs and creating a group of student volunteers. Finally, the project’s best practices will be disseminated for replication in similar areas of Croatia, France, Cyprus, and Malta.

A total of 14 partners participate in the LIFE terrAmare project, coming from Greece (UoC-NHMC, FORTH, ELGO-DIMITRA, HSPN), Italy (D.R.E.AM. Italia, Legambiente, University of Tuscia, University of Milan, Body for Regional Marine Parks of Calabria, Management Consortium of Torre Guaceto, Azienda Calabria Verde, Ministry of Defence), Spain (CSIC – Spanish National Research Council), and Albania (AOS – Albanian Ornithological Society). The project coordinator is the Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative – D.R.E.AM. ITALIA.

The project has a duration of 72 months and is co-financed by the European Commission – CINEA at a rate of 60% of the total budget (€11,430,908.19), while the remaining 40% is covered by the partners’ own resources.