MAES_GR: A Web-Based, Spatially Enabled Field Survey Platform for the MAES Implementation in Greece

Ioannis P. Kokkoris, Vasileios Kokkinos, Evangelos Michos, Rafail Kalogeropoulos, Marios Charalambides, Agisilaos Kounelis, Eleni Iliadou, Christos K. Damianidis, Giorgos Mallinis, Christos Bouras and Panayotis Dimopoulos
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Ioannis P. Kokkoris: Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Vasileios Kokkinos: Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Evangelos Michos: Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Rafail Kalogeropoulos: Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Marios Charalambides: Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Agisilaos Kounelis: Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Eleni Iliadou: Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Christos K. Damianidis: Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece
Giorgos Mallinis: School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Christos Bouras: Department of Computer Engineering & Informatics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Panayotis Dimopoulos: Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: This study presents a standardized approach to collecting, registering, and reporting field-survey data for baseline MAES (Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services) information in Greece. This is accomplished through a web-based platform (MAES_GR) exclusively developed under the relevant, nation-wide LIFE-IP 4 NATURA project. Based on the European Commission’s guidance for ecosystem condition (EC) and ecosystem services (ES) MAES studies, we conceptualized and structured an online platform to support EC and ES assessments, integrating all relevant fields of information needed for registering EC and ES parameters. A novel algorithm calculating EC was also developed and it is available as an integral part of the platform. The use of the MAES_GR platform was evaluated during nationwide field surveys efforts, increasing time efficiency and reducing costs. Field recording of EC and ES pinpoint spatial priorities for ecosystem restoration, conservation and sustainable development. This work highlights that MAES implementation can be favored by the use of technology tools such as mobile survey platforms, developed according to scientific needs and policy guidelines. Such tools, apart from the data inventory phase, can be used for data analysis, synthesis and extraction, providing timely, standardized information suitable for reporting at the local, regional, national and European Union scale.

Keywords: data collection; decision making; ecosystem condition; ecosystem services; environmental monitoring; GIS; IT; mapping; search and analytics engine; web application (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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