Year of Endorsement: 1990

Number of Endorsement’s Act/Government’s Gazette Number (FEK): PD 388/1990, (FEK 153/21-11-1990 v.Α’).

 

Communication: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 267, 54124 – Thessaloniki, Greece; tel.: 2310-998642;

email: mamolos@agro.auth.gr

Laboratory website: http://www.agro.auth.gr/τομεις/

 

Members

Andreas P. Mamolos, Professor of Plant Ecology

Tel: +30 2310 998642

E-mail: mamolos@agro.auth.gr

 

Dr. Christos D. Anagnostopoulos, Laboratory Teaching Staff, Ecosystems Management

Tel: +30 2310 998643

E-mail: canagno@agro.auth.gr

 

Dr. Aggeliki  D. Tsampoula, Laboratory Teaching Staff, Pollution and Protection of the Rural Environment

Tel: +30 2310 998824,

E-mail: atsampou@agro.auth.gr

 

Emeritus and retired professors of the laboratory

Demetrios S. Veresoglou, Emeritus Professor

Kiriaki L. Kalburtji, Emeritus Professor

Sotirios E. Tsiouris, Emeritus Professor

Pantazis Alexandros Gerakis, Retired professor

 

Other staff

Konstantinos Athanasiadis, retired

Panagiotis Skenteridis, retired

 

Collaborating scientists

Dr. S. Veresoglou

Dr. Μ. Michos

Dr. D. Platis

Dr. O. Voulgari

Dr. G. Elisseou

Dr. V. Litskas

Dr. J. Mosjidis

Dr. A. Nikolaidou

Dr. A. Solomou

Dr. C. Sokos,

Scientific staff of the Hellenic Wetland Biotope Center (ΕΚΒΥ)

Dr. Anastasios Lithourgidis, Director of the University farm and Head of the Agronomy Department of the University Farm.

 

Laboratory objectives

Ecology, Agricultural Ecology, Environmental Pollution and Protection, Sustainable Development of Natural Resources and Wetlands and Agriculture.

 

Historical development

The Chair of Ecology was established in 1973 (Official Gazette 207/Α’/13-09-1973) and changed to Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection in 1990 (Official Gazette 153/Α’/21-11-1990). The first Head of the Laboratory was Professor Pandazis-Alexantros Gerakis. The laboratory members have administrative, research and teaching obligations. They were involved in the Cross Sectoral Specialization Postgraduate Program of the Faculty of Agriculture “Ecology and Management of Agroecosystems” which was founded in 1993 (Official Gazette 948/Β’/31-12-93). Three Departments were involved “Field Crops and Ecology”, “Hydraulics, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering” and “Plant Protection”. In 2000, the above postgraduate program was renamed as “Ecology and Sustainable Ecosystem Management” (Official Gazette 1037/B’/23-08-2000) and it was active until 2017. In 2018 (Official Gazette 3834/Β’/06-09-2018), a new Postgraduate Program was founded leading to specialization in “Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems and Climate Change”, in which the Laboratory members are participating. They also participate in the Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program “Landscape Architecture” (Faculties of Agriculture and Architecture) which was founded in 2003 (Official Gazette 619/Β΄/20-5-2003). The members of the Ecology and Environmental Protection Laboratory are closely collaborating with the Greek Biotope Wetland Center (EKBY), which was founded in 1991 by Professor Pantazis-Alexandros Gerakis in collaboration with the Goulandris Natural History Museum. The Greek Biotope Wetland Center is located in Thermi, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.

The Laboratory staff participates in various research projects funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, European Union, various Public and Private Institutions and cooperates with other European and international Institutions.

Selected Research and other programs

Competition and coexistence of plants in meadows (Funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology with Professor D. Veresoglou as scientific director).

Study of the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the productivity of a pasture and the rate of degradation of the remaining plant mass (Funded by the Research Committee of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with Professor K. Kalbourtzi as scientific director).

Mechanisms controlling the recycling of Sr and Cs in organic soil-vegetation systems in Greece and Scotland by plants (Funded by the European Union with Professor D. Veresoglou as scientific leader for the Greek team and Professor N. Barbagiannis as scientific co-leader).

Wetland protection techniques from agricultural activities (Funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology with scientific directors Professor P.A. Gerakis and Professor S. Tsiouris).

Monitoring and development of organic agriculture (Funded by the Ministry of Agriculture with Professor K. Kalbourtzi as scientific director).

Agrometeorological models for predicting the production level and quality of various pastures (Measure 8.2 Subprogramme 8 B’ CSF 1994-1999, with Researcher Ch. Tzialla as scientific director).

Pythagoras I. The role of mycorrhizae in natural and agricultural ecosystems (Funded by the Ministry of Education with Professor D. Veresoglou as scientific supervisor).

Pythagoras II. Role of AMF mycorrhizae in the structure of natural herbaceous plant communities (Funded by the Ministry of Education with Professor D. Alifragis as scientific supervisor).

The use of reed (Phragmites australis Cav. Steud) as a fertilizer material in the organic cultivation of “Giant-Elephant” beans (Phaseolus coccineus ssp. multiflorus). (Collaboration with the Soil Science Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Technological Educational Institute of Florina. Funded by the Technological Educational Institute of Florina).

Study investigating pesticides applied in the water intake areas of EYATH (Funded by EYATH with Professor Andreas Mamolos as scientific supervisor).

Co-leader of a group (DAAD exchange program) under which joint educational and research actions will be implemented between the School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, the School of Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), in Germany, (a relevant agreement has been signed).

Participation in H2020 – REA B2. Proposal 101000499-2 BIOVALUE

 

Teaching activities

The Laboratory staff is in charge of teaching: (A) Five (5) Undergraduate Courses (Agricultural Ecology Ν524Ε, Ecology Ν014Υ, Environmental Protection Ν031Ε, Sustainable Development of Agricultural Resources Ν509Ε, Wetlands and Agriculture Ν552Ε) and (B) Four (4) Postgraduate Courses in the Postgraduate Program “Sustainable Agricultural Production and Climate Change” (Advanced Ecology ΝAKA804E, Ecotoxicology ΝAKA827E, Organic Farming and other Alternative Farming ΝAKA816E, and Principles of Ecosystem Management and Preparation of Management Plans ΝAKA815E). The Laboratory staff participates also in three (3) teaching courses in the Interdisciplinary (School of Agriculture and School of Architecture, AUTH) Postgraduate Program “Landscape Architecture” (Ecology and Natural Resources LS202, Ecological Planning and Sustainable Development LD105, Landscape Preservation, Restoration and Rehabilitation LD110). The Emeritus Professors, K.L. Kalburtji and S. E. Tsiouris participate in the educational activities as well.

 

Research activity

The laboratory of Ecology and environmental Protection is involved in research projects in the field of:

1. Research in natural ecosystems

Plant Competition – The role of the mycorrhizal (fungi) in plant nutrition and coexistence – Plant water relations – Radio-active isotope and heavy metals uptakes from plants – Use of C-isotopes for the determination of drought tolerance of Plants – Root Development – Relations and environmental factors that affect the distribution and abundance of plants – Biodiversity.

2. Agricultural ecology

Interactions of agro-ecosystems with other ecosystems – Alternative farming systems – Biological (organic) farming – Allelopathy – Plant residue management and decomposition – Biogeochemical cycles of nutrients – Field margins ecosystems.

 

3. Energy flows in natural and agricultural ecosystems of Mediterranean-type.
4. Impacts of climate change in agriculture.
5. Sustainable management of agricultural resources.
6. Natural and social services of agroecosystems.
7. Pollution and environmental protection.

Hydrometeors chemistry, Farming techniques and quality of runoff water, pesticide risk assessment.

8. Functions, services, management and restoration of Wetlands.
9. Impact of human domination in development and conservation of biodiversity.
10. Population Ecology.

 

The Laboratory’s infrastructure can provide:

Α. Education

• Education of undergraduate and postgraduate students of the School of Agriculture, as well as of students of other Schools of the AUTh.
• Training of agronomists and other professionals in the field of agri-food.
• Informing and raising public awareness of integrated environmental issues of agricultural production.
• Environmental awareness of the public.
• Education of students (elementary, secondary, high school) and teachers in management of cultivated plants and environmental protection.
• Organization of training seminars, symposia and conferences (ecological companies, etc.).

 

 

Β. Research

• Plant product calorimetry analysis and energy footprint monitoring.
• Certification of crop products with reduced carbon footprint.
• N, P and K analyses in plant tissues.
• Determination of water quality parameters.
• Risk assessment of water quality parameters.
• Risk management for the protection of water resources.
• Providing scientific advices (on courts, bodies, authorities, etc.) on issues related to the subject area of the Laboratory.
• Collection and processing of data for the purpose of publishing scientific and technical studies.
• Evaluation of research proposals.
• Development of ecosystems management plans.

 

List of graduates awarded with Doctoral Degrees

Kasioumi Maria. 2003. “Structure of grassland plant communities in non-productive soils: effect of nutrient competition”.

Gavalas Nikolaos. 2004. “Oregano populations (Origanum Vulgare L.) in Northern and Central Greece: effect of abiotic factors their phenotypic features”.

Nikolaidou Anna. 2007. “The effect of cultivation practices on soil and plant species diversity of conventional and organic vineyards”.

Karanika Efrosini. 2007. “The role of arbuscular mycorrhizae and species diversity on structure of plant communities”.

Kourouxou Maria. 2008. “The relationships between organic and conventional farming with rural landscape: the case of Thassos island”.

Voulgari Olga. 2013. “Effect of competition for soil resources in the structure of herbaceous plant communities”.

Michos Marios. 2017. “Energy budget and greenhouse gas emissions in perennial crops in and out Natura 2000 network”.

Platis Dimitrios. 2022. “Agro-silvopastoral Ecosystems – Energy Budgets and Greenhouse Gas Emissions”.

 

List of Graduates awarded with Master of Science Degrees

Alifragi Maria. 2007. “The role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the solubilization of insoluble phosphate forms”.

Voulgari Olga. 2007. “Abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal funghi in the roots of plant species in a mountainous and herbaceous grasslund in response to nitrogen and phosphorus additions”.

Zigra Aggeliki. 2007. “Identification of the wetland flora and the plants of the coastal area of the Loudias river”.

Kontothanasi Aglaia. 2007. “Vegetables organic farming in Thessaly: agricultural management and farmers attitudes”.

Litskas Vasileios. 2008. “Impact of irrigated agriculture on drainage water quality”.

Daligarou Olimpia. 2008. “Nitrates and other qualitaties parameters of drinking water of Gallikos river for the ages from 2002 to 2006”.

Koufali Eleni. 2009. “Influence of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in the productivity of grass species and N/P ratio of their biomass”.

Aggelakis Argirios. 2009. “Fauna of fishes and amphibians of wetlands Macedonia-Thrace and factors that influence it”.

Toumpeli Anna. 2009. “Use of palnt material of Phraguites australis for compost and its application to tomato Santorini cultivation”.

Paneris Stavros. 2010. “The affect of species diversity and fungicides at the organic matter and at the availability of soil phosphorus”.

Zafeiriou Panagiota. 2010. “Energy inputs-outputs in asparagus cultivations”.

Michos Marios. 2010. “Energy flow in conventional integrated and organic peach orchards”.

Vasilakos Stergios. 2011. “The water regime and the biota of Tavropos lake”.

Panoras Georgios. 2011. “Accumulation of heavy metals in soil irrigated by reclaimed municipal wastewater for a long time”.

Vazoura Eleni. 2011. “Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex. Steudel compost application as fertilizer in Phaseolus coccineus”.

Faraoni Evagelia. 2011 “Restoration of contaminated landscapes using the method of phytoremediation”.

Zountouriadou Evdoxia. 2012. “Early stages of secondary succession in an herbaceous plant community”.

Sokos Christos. 2012. “Ecology and management of birds in a Mediterranean agricultural – wetland complex”.

Kechagias Margaritis. 2012. “Energy inputs – outputs in apple orchards”.

Papadopoulou Athina. 2013. “Artificial urban and swimming wetlands”.

Petridou Nikoleta. 2014. “Nutritious elements of water and the algal growth in rice-fields”.

Efthimiadis Kiriakos. 2014. “Seasonal changes in soil characteristics of long term fertilization experiment in rangeland ecosystems”.

Marmataki Zoi. 2015. “Improvement of watercourses landscape and their management”.

Anagnostopoulos Christos. 2016. “Factors influencing the decomposition of plant residues in the soil”.

Mpasiakou Asimina. 2015. “Field margins & their contribution to the rural landscape’.

Platis Dimitrios. 2016. “Energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions in tomato cultivation”.

Katsampalis Christos. 2017. “Agro-forest landscapes, cultural paths in the Municipality of Aristotle”.

Grigoriadis Konstantinos. 2017. “Energy inputs-outputs in olive groves and vineyards located in Corfu island”.

Tanakis Christos. 2017. “Lake Doirani. Ecological & Ecotouristic upgrading”.

Orfanidis Nikolaos. 2017. “Constructed wetlands, green infrastructure for sustainable design of modern-day cities”.

Papadopoulou Artemis. 2019. “Therapeutic and aromatic gardens: the value of olfaction and the beneficial impact on human”.

Mpakogiorgou Meropi. 2019. “Landscape variability, remediation, restoration. The Palimpsest of mountainous region of Oreokastro”.

Katsika Georgia. 2022. “Energy equilibrium and greenhouse gas emissions in tree orchards”.

Ravani Maria. 2022. “Energy equilibrium and greenhouse gas emissions in rice cultivation”.

Avramidou Georgia. 2022. “Energy inputs-outputs and greenhouse gas emissions in perennial crops”.

Stepas Christos. 2023. “Biological control of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) with the use of basidiomycete Microbotryum silybum”

Pasvantoglou Elpida. 2024. “Study of the biological cycle of N in two types of soils, after the addition of organic and chemical fertilization”.

Tatazidis Georgios. 2024. “Restoration of the natural and enhancement of the cultural elements of the Ehedoros River”.

Kotoula Theodora. 2024. “The Effects of Renewable Source Installations Energy (RES) in the Greek Rural and Natural Landscape: The Case of Solar Parks”.