VERONIKA ANDREA - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by VERONIKA ANDREA

Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, Nov 19, 2022

The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes th... more The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes that are directly or indirectly connected to shipping and port performance. A comprehensive database on the European Union (EU) environmental policy for the last 30 years has been attempted concerning mainly shipping and ports in terms of mandatory secondary law. The regulatory instruments were classified according to their subject; while, the main patterns were identified and the connections with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework were highlighted. The major findings disclose a complementary operation by both IMO and EU.

Η καθιέρωση προστατευόμενων περιοχών αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό μέτρο περιβαλλοντικής πολιτικής, που ... more Η καθιέρωση προστατευόμενων περιοχών αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό μέτρο περιβαλλοντικής πολιτικής, που έχει ως στόχο τη διατήρηση της βιοπικοιλότητας αλλά και τη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη. Πρόκειται για την αλληλεπίδραση του φυσικού, κοινωνικού και οικονομικού περιβάλλοντος μιας περιοχής. Στόχος της αποτελεσματικής διαχείρισης των προστατευόμενων περιοχών είναι ο έλεγχος και η εξισορρόπηση αυτών των αλληλεπιδράσεων, καθώς μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων, είτε αυτοί αποτελούν τη Διοίκηση, την τοπική κοινωνία ή τους επισκέπτες, δημιουργούνται αντικρουόμενα συμφέροντα. Οι συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων συνήθως πηγάζουν από την εφαρμογή του καθεστώτος προστασίας και τους περιορισμούς που αυτό θέτει στην εκμετάλλευση των φυσικών πόρων. Το γεγονός αυτό, και επιπλέον δεδομένου ότι οι εμπλεκόμενοι φορείς έχουν διαφορετικές επιθυμίες ως προς τα διαχειριστικά μέτρα, καθιστά τη διαχείριση προστατευόμενων περιοχών ως μια πολύπλοκη διαδικασία, που απαιτεί εύστοχο σχεδιασμό. Κάτι τέτοιο θα ήταν αδύνατο χωρίς τη συμμετοχή των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων στις διαδικασίες λήψης περιβαλλοντικών αποφάσεων που τους αφορούν. Ωστόσο, σημαντικός είναι ο ρόλος της περιβαλλοντικής εκπαίδευσης, ώστε η συμμετοχή τους να είναι εποικοδομητική για την πορεία της διαδικασίας λήψης αποφάσεων και την εφαρμογή των αποφάσεων αυτών στο μέλλον. Στο σημείο, αυτό η περιβαλλοντική επικοινωνία αποτελεί το σύνδεσμο ώστε να αναπτυχθεί ένα κλίμα αλληλοκατανόησης μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων, και να επιτευχθούν αποτελεσματικών συνεργασιών. Με αυτόν τον τρόπο θα είναι δυνατό να αντιμετωπιστούν τα αντικρουόμενα συμφέροντα που προκύπτουν σε κάθε περίπτωση, αλλά και να αναδειχθούν οι προστατευόμενες περιοχές ως πόλος έλξης επισκεπτών με στόχο τη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη μέσα από τις εναλλακτικές μορφές τουρισμού.Η έρευνα είχε ως αντικείμενο τη διερεύνηση της στάσης των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων για μια αποτελεσματική διαχείριση για την προστασία και ανάδειξη των προστατευόμενων περιοχών του Νομού Έβρου. Σκοπός της έρευνας είναι να εντοπιστούν οι κοινωνικο – οικονομικοί παράγοντες που συνθέτουν και διαφοροποιούν τη στάση των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων ως προς τη διαχείριση και προστασία των προστατευόμενων περιοχών με στόχο την ανάπτυξη και ανάδειξή τους, καθώς και η εφαρμογή των διαχειριστικών προτάσεων σε άλλες προστατευόμενες περιοχές. Επίσης εξετάζεται αν μέσα από τη δυναμική ανάπτυξης, που παρουσιάζει η Δαδιά μπορεί να υπάρξει ανάπτυξη της περιοχής του Δέλτα του Έβρου. Δηλαδή διερευνάται το αν από ένα δίκτυο προστατευόμενων περιοχών μπορούμε να μεταβούμε σε δίκτυο ανάπτυξης για την ευρύτερη περιοχή του Νομού Έβρου.Προκειμένου να επιτευχθεί ο σκοπός και οι στόχοι της έρευνας πραγματοποιήθηκαν τέσσερις δειγματοληπτικές έρευνες καθώς και συνεντεύξεις στους εμπλεκόμενους φορείς, χρησιμοποιήθηκε δομημένο ερωτηματολόγιο για τους κατοίκους και τους επισκέπτες των δύο περιοχών και ημι - δομημένο ερωτηματολόγιο για τους Φορείς Διαχείρισης, τους Δήμους και την Περιφέρεια Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης. Για την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων χρησιμοποιήθηκαν η ανάλυση αξιοπιστίας, η παραγοντική ανάλυση, ο έλεγχος ανεξαρτησίας και η ανάλυση κατά συστάδες, με τη χρήση του στατιστικoύ πακέτου SPSS. Από τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας προκύπτει ότι τα κυριότερα αντικρουόμενα συμφέροντα στην περιοχή συνδέονται με απαγορεύσεις στην αξιοποίηση ιδιοκτησιών, κυρίως στην περιοχή του Δέλτα του Έβρου, ενώ σε γενικές γραμμές οι κάτοικοι επιθυμούν μια καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής μέσα από την ανάπτυξη του πρωτογενούς τομέα, του τουρισμού και των υποδομών. Επίσης οι επικαλυπτόμενες αρμοδιότητες και η έλλειψη χρηματοδοτικών μηχανισμών των Φορέων Διαχείρισης, καθώς και η μη συμμετοχή των τοπικών κατοίκων στις διαδικασίες λήψης αποφάσεων αποτελούν τις βασικές αιτίες για την αναποτελεσματικότητα της Διοίκησης των δύο Εθνικών Πάρκων. Τέλος, διαπιστώθηκε ότι υπάρχουν οι προοπτικές ώστε να μεταβούμε από ένα δίκτυο προστατευόμενων περιοχών σε δίκτυο ανάπτυξης για την ευρύτερη περιοχή, ωστόσο η επίτευξη ενός τέτοιου στόχου προϋποθέτει τη βελτίωση του οδικού δικτύου, ώστε να συνδέονται και πρακτικά.

Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 2013

eco.mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management, 2014

The management effectiveness of protected areas is linked to the type and form of administration ... more The management effectiveness of protected areas is linked to the type and form of administration structures applied in each country within the framework of its environmental policy implementation. The administration structure gives citizens the opportunity to take part in decision-making processes concerning the environment and includes partnerships with regional authorities, management bodies, competent ministries, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations. The main principles pertaining to the administration of protected areas are based on international conventions aimed at protecting biodiversity and the natural environment. The present study was conducted at Dadia National Park (NP), in the Evros Prefecture. The stakeholders involved in the administration and management of the NP, namely the park management, the municipality of Soufli and the regional authorities of Evros Prefecture, as well as locals and visitors, were asked their opinion about the effectiveness of administration and management of the park. The results of the study indicate that there are weaknesses affecting the collaboration of the administrative bodies, the locals are not satisfied with the local authorities' operations, and the visitors are not being adequately informed about the relevant bodies and type of administration and management of the NP.

International Journal of Green Economics, 2013

This case study attempts to explore "local peoples'" and "visitors'" views about the existing inf... more This case study attempts to explore "local peoples'" and "visitors'" views about the existing infrastructure and the availability of the services of the two National Parks of Evros Prefecture. The purpose of the research is to find out any potential deficiencies which might be influencing "local peoples'" lives and "visitors'" travel experience. The sustainable use of natural resources and tourism are crucial in the management of protected areas and National Parks. Sustainable development in such areas can only be achieved if the tourism infrastructure and related services are effectively managed. The results showed that local people are deemed to be stricter in their assessment of the existing infrastructure and services provided compared to the visitors in both areas. Although the structures of the tours and activities in the two National Parks are not similar, there were significant similarities in the visitors' perceptions in both scenarios.

Environment, Development and Sustainability, Jun 3, 2022

International Journal of Green Economics, 2013

ABSTRACT This paper concerns the management and development of natural resources using citizens&a... more ABSTRACT This paper concerns the management and development of natural resources using citizens' participation in decision-making procedures. The study examines the economic growth of gateway communities in the Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park with the use of a structured questionnaire and through personal interviews. Simple random sampling was used as a method. The case study constitutes an approach used to examine local people's views concerning the various characteristics of the broader area, their living standards, as well as the sectors they wanted existing and future developments to be based upon. Through the research results, it is acknowledged that local people consider employment opportunities to be inadequate. They think that local development is based, partly, on the primary sector. Whereas, local people wish the primary sector to be enhanced along with the secondary, they want industry development and a tertiary sector, with the provision of services and tourism.

International journal of sustainable agricultural management and informatics, 2022

Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 2014

ABSTRACT Schoolyards provide students with substantial opportunities to move about freely, play a... more ABSTRACT Schoolyards provide students with substantial opportunities to move about freely, play and get involved in creative activities, while functioning as a bridge between the students and the natural environment. Moreover, such spaces contribute to the intellectual and emotional development of students and raise their environmental awareness. In order to examine the attitudes and views of students regarding various activities, playing games, as well as having constructions and educational interventions within the schoolyard, a structured questionnaire was used with closed questions addressed at students of the 5th and 6th grade (11- and 12-year old) attending Primary Schools in Eastern Thessaloniki. The content of the questionnaire was monitored in advance by the Pedagogical Institute (PI) and the survey was approved by the Hellenic Ministry of Education. According to the results of the study, less than half the students enjoy spending time in the schoolyard; to improve the situation they would like the schoolyard to be covered with natural materials instead of cement.

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Sep 2, 2014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach regarding the management measures f... more Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach regarding the management measures for solving environmental problems in protected areas. Two neighboring protected areas with different features were chosen in order to investigate the similarity of the environmental problems with regard to these two areas and if it is possible for these problems to be solved through a network of protected areas. Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out through the use of a questionnaire which was distributed to the inhabitants and visitors of both areas, as well as through interviews with the representatives of organizations responsible for the management and administration of those areas and representatives of the municipalities and the regional authorities these two national parks belong to. Simple random sampling was applied to the inhabitants and cluster sampling to the visitors. Findings – The results show that with regard to the visitors the most important problem is illegal hunting while for the inhabitants equally important is the problem of pollution and cleanliness. However, those responsible with the management of the two National Parks think that the greatest threat to the wider area is the problem of floods. Originality/value – The views of the stakeholders in a given time, provides us with the best possible information for solving the problems faced and can be used as a tool for increasing the effectiveness of the measures which have been taken to deal with the particular problems.

Land

One of the most recent and pressing issues for policymakers to address is the presence of wild bo... more One of the most recent and pressing issues for policymakers to address is the presence of wild boars in urban and rural areas. Their aggressive spread and invasion of human-populated areas have created an alarming problem as the coexistence of wild boars and people poses serious threats to human life and property. Human-caused factors, such as residential zone expansion and land use change, have exacerbated this problem. Furthermore, natural factors, such as predator reduction and climate change effects, create favorable conditions for population growth. This study sought to gain insights into citizens’ perspectives on a current issue, specifically wild boar colonization and coexistence in urban and rural settings. Between September 2021 and November 2022, a survey was conducted in two communities of northern and central Greece, addressing 800 citizens in total. Obtained through hierarchical log-linear analysis, factor analysis and two-step cluster analysis, the findings indicate th...

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics

J. for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology

The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes th... more The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes that are directly or indirectly connected to shipping and port performance. A comprehensive database on the European Union (EU) environmental policy for the last 30 years has been attempted concerning mainly shipping and ports in terms of mandatory secondary law. The regulatory instruments were classified according to their subject; while, the main patterns were identified and the connections with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework were highlighted. The major findings disclose a complementary operation by both IMO and EU.

Intermodal transportation systems have been emerged by the need for advanced, responsive, safe, s... more Intermodal transportation systems have been emerged by the need for advanced, responsive, safe, sustainable, smart and cost-efficient solutions in transportation of goods and passengers. The European Union policies, strategies and initiatives aim to successfully enhance connectivity. The current study examines four (4) intermodality cases in the Adriatic-Ionian area, located in Corfu, Bari, Pula and Dubrovnik. The data were collected with the use of a structured and a semi-structured questionnaire addressing experts, airport and port professionals, researchers, and travel agents. The stakeholders’ views were analyzed by descriptive statistics and a SWOT analysis was also conducted. The study aims to provide important insights on the prospects and challenges for the development of intermodal scenarios in the Adriatic-Ionian area according to the stakeholders’ views. The main findings of the study are focusing on the realization of tailor-made scenarios such as new soft infrastructure...

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2017

The depletion of the world's forests in both tropical and temperate regions threatens to cause co... more The depletion of the world's forests in both tropical and temperate regions threatens to cause considerable environmental problems and hamper future economic development. However, some research has suggested that this deforestation might slow or reverse, exhibiting an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). Yet previous studies investigating such an EKC have found mixed results. We therefore test for a deforestation EKC using an improved dataset from the World Development Indicators and an enhanced econometric technique Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. We compare OECD countries with the non-OECD regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa to determine how various factors like economic growth, population, trade, urbanization, agricultural land conversion, and cereal yield impact deforestation rates. The results show that the OECD countries have an N-shaped curve whereas only the African region experiences an income-based EKC pattern. Population growth tends to create more deforestation as does conversion to agricultural lands. More trade openness and greater urbanization impact the regions differently, but only the OECD countries have less deforestation due to better cereal yields.

Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, Nov 19, 2022

The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes th... more The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes that are directly or indirectly connected to shipping and port performance. A comprehensive database on the European Union (EU) environmental policy for the last 30 years has been attempted concerning mainly shipping and ports in terms of mandatory secondary law. The regulatory instruments were classified according to their subject; while, the main patterns were identified and the connections with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework were highlighted. The major findings disclose a complementary operation by both IMO and EU.

Η καθιέρωση προστατευόμενων περιοχών αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό μέτρο περιβαλλοντικής πολιτικής, που ... more Η καθιέρωση προστατευόμενων περιοχών αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό μέτρο περιβαλλοντικής πολιτικής, που έχει ως στόχο τη διατήρηση της βιοπικοιλότητας αλλά και τη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη. Πρόκειται για την αλληλεπίδραση του φυσικού, κοινωνικού και οικονομικού περιβάλλοντος μιας περιοχής. Στόχος της αποτελεσματικής διαχείρισης των προστατευόμενων περιοχών είναι ο έλεγχος και η εξισορρόπηση αυτών των αλληλεπιδράσεων, καθώς μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων, είτε αυτοί αποτελούν τη Διοίκηση, την τοπική κοινωνία ή τους επισκέπτες, δημιουργούνται αντικρουόμενα συμφέροντα. Οι συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων συνήθως πηγάζουν από την εφαρμογή του καθεστώτος προστασίας και τους περιορισμούς που αυτό θέτει στην εκμετάλλευση των φυσικών πόρων. Το γεγονός αυτό, και επιπλέον δεδομένου ότι οι εμπλεκόμενοι φορείς έχουν διαφορετικές επιθυμίες ως προς τα διαχειριστικά μέτρα, καθιστά τη διαχείριση προστατευόμενων περιοχών ως μια πολύπλοκη διαδικασία, που απαιτεί εύστοχο σχεδιασμό. Κάτι τέτοιο θα ήταν αδύνατο χωρίς τη συμμετοχή των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων στις διαδικασίες λήψης περιβαλλοντικών αποφάσεων που τους αφορούν. Ωστόσο, σημαντικός είναι ο ρόλος της περιβαλλοντικής εκπαίδευσης, ώστε η συμμετοχή τους να είναι εποικοδομητική για την πορεία της διαδικασίας λήψης αποφάσεων και την εφαρμογή των αποφάσεων αυτών στο μέλλον. Στο σημείο, αυτό η περιβαλλοντική επικοινωνία αποτελεί το σύνδεσμο ώστε να αναπτυχθεί ένα κλίμα αλληλοκατανόησης μεταξύ των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων, και να επιτευχθούν αποτελεσματικών συνεργασιών. Με αυτόν τον τρόπο θα είναι δυνατό να αντιμετωπιστούν τα αντικρουόμενα συμφέροντα που προκύπτουν σε κάθε περίπτωση, αλλά και να αναδειχθούν οι προστατευόμενες περιοχές ως πόλος έλξης επισκεπτών με στόχο τη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη μέσα από τις εναλλακτικές μορφές τουρισμού.Η έρευνα είχε ως αντικείμενο τη διερεύνηση της στάσης των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων για μια αποτελεσματική διαχείριση για την προστασία και ανάδειξη των προστατευόμενων περιοχών του Νομού Έβρου. Σκοπός της έρευνας είναι να εντοπιστούν οι κοινωνικο – οικονομικοί παράγοντες που συνθέτουν και διαφοροποιούν τη στάση των εμπλεκόμενων φορέων ως προς τη διαχείριση και προστασία των προστατευόμενων περιοχών με στόχο την ανάπτυξη και ανάδειξή τους, καθώς και η εφαρμογή των διαχειριστικών προτάσεων σε άλλες προστατευόμενες περιοχές. Επίσης εξετάζεται αν μέσα από τη δυναμική ανάπτυξης, που παρουσιάζει η Δαδιά μπορεί να υπάρξει ανάπτυξη της περιοχής του Δέλτα του Έβρου. Δηλαδή διερευνάται το αν από ένα δίκτυο προστατευόμενων περιοχών μπορούμε να μεταβούμε σε δίκτυο ανάπτυξης για την ευρύτερη περιοχή του Νομού Έβρου.Προκειμένου να επιτευχθεί ο σκοπός και οι στόχοι της έρευνας πραγματοποιήθηκαν τέσσερις δειγματοληπτικές έρευνες καθώς και συνεντεύξεις στους εμπλεκόμενους φορείς, χρησιμοποιήθηκε δομημένο ερωτηματολόγιο για τους κατοίκους και τους επισκέπτες των δύο περιοχών και ημι - δομημένο ερωτηματολόγιο για τους Φορείς Διαχείρισης, τους Δήμους και την Περιφέρεια Ανατολικής Μακεδονίας και Θράκης. Για την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων χρησιμοποιήθηκαν η ανάλυση αξιοπιστίας, η παραγοντική ανάλυση, ο έλεγχος ανεξαρτησίας και η ανάλυση κατά συστάδες, με τη χρήση του στατιστικoύ πακέτου SPSS. Από τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας προκύπτει ότι τα κυριότερα αντικρουόμενα συμφέροντα στην περιοχή συνδέονται με απαγορεύσεις στην αξιοποίηση ιδιοκτησιών, κυρίως στην περιοχή του Δέλτα του Έβρου, ενώ σε γενικές γραμμές οι κάτοικοι επιθυμούν μια καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής μέσα από την ανάπτυξη του πρωτογενούς τομέα, του τουρισμού και των υποδομών. Επίσης οι επικαλυπτόμενες αρμοδιότητες και η έλλειψη χρηματοδοτικών μηχανισμών των Φορέων Διαχείρισης, καθώς και η μη συμμετοχή των τοπικών κατοίκων στις διαδικασίες λήψης αποφάσεων αποτελούν τις βασικές αιτίες για την αναποτελεσματικότητα της Διοίκησης των δύο Εθνικών Πάρκων. Τέλος, διαπιστώθηκε ότι υπάρχουν οι προοπτικές ώστε να μεταβούμε από ένα δίκτυο προστατευόμενων περιοχών σε δίκτυο ανάπτυξης για την ευρύτερη περιοχή, ωστόσο η επίτευξη ενός τέτοιου στόχου προϋποθέτει τη βελτίωση του οδικού δικτύου, ώστε να συνδέονται και πρακτικά.

Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 2013

eco.mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management, 2014

The management effectiveness of protected areas is linked to the type and form of administration ... more The management effectiveness of protected areas is linked to the type and form of administration structures applied in each country within the framework of its environmental policy implementation. The administration structure gives citizens the opportunity to take part in decision-making processes concerning the environment and includes partnerships with regional authorities, management bodies, competent ministries, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations. The main principles pertaining to the administration of protected areas are based on international conventions aimed at protecting biodiversity and the natural environment. The present study was conducted at Dadia National Park (NP), in the Evros Prefecture. The stakeholders involved in the administration and management of the NP, namely the park management, the municipality of Soufli and the regional authorities of Evros Prefecture, as well as locals and visitors, were asked their opinion about the effectiveness of administration and management of the park. The results of the study indicate that there are weaknesses affecting the collaboration of the administrative bodies, the locals are not satisfied with the local authorities' operations, and the visitors are not being adequately informed about the relevant bodies and type of administration and management of the NP.

International Journal of Green Economics, 2013

This case study attempts to explore "local peoples'" and "visitors'" views about the existing inf... more This case study attempts to explore "local peoples'" and "visitors'" views about the existing infrastructure and the availability of the services of the two National Parks of Evros Prefecture. The purpose of the research is to find out any potential deficiencies which might be influencing "local peoples'" lives and "visitors'" travel experience. The sustainable use of natural resources and tourism are crucial in the management of protected areas and National Parks. Sustainable development in such areas can only be achieved if the tourism infrastructure and related services are effectively managed. The results showed that local people are deemed to be stricter in their assessment of the existing infrastructure and services provided compared to the visitors in both areas. Although the structures of the tours and activities in the two National Parks are not similar, there were significant similarities in the visitors' perceptions in both scenarios.

Environment, Development and Sustainability, Jun 3, 2022

International Journal of Green Economics, 2013

ABSTRACT This paper concerns the management and development of natural resources using citizens&a... more ABSTRACT This paper concerns the management and development of natural resources using citizens' participation in decision-making procedures. The study examines the economic growth of gateway communities in the Amvrakikos Wetlands National Park with the use of a structured questionnaire and through personal interviews. Simple random sampling was used as a method. The case study constitutes an approach used to examine local people's views concerning the various characteristics of the broader area, their living standards, as well as the sectors they wanted existing and future developments to be based upon. Through the research results, it is acknowledged that local people consider employment opportunities to be inadequate. They think that local development is based, partly, on the primary sector. Whereas, local people wish the primary sector to be enhanced along with the secondary, they want industry development and a tertiary sector, with the provision of services and tourism.

International journal of sustainable agricultural management and informatics, 2022

Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 2014

ABSTRACT Schoolyards provide students with substantial opportunities to move about freely, play a... more ABSTRACT Schoolyards provide students with substantial opportunities to move about freely, play and get involved in creative activities, while functioning as a bridge between the students and the natural environment. Moreover, such spaces contribute to the intellectual and emotional development of students and raise their environmental awareness. In order to examine the attitudes and views of students regarding various activities, playing games, as well as having constructions and educational interventions within the schoolyard, a structured questionnaire was used with closed questions addressed at students of the 5th and 6th grade (11- and 12-year old) attending Primary Schools in Eastern Thessaloniki. The content of the questionnaire was monitored in advance by the Pedagogical Institute (PI) and the survey was approved by the Hellenic Ministry of Education. According to the results of the study, less than half the students enjoy spending time in the schoolyard; to improve the situation they would like the schoolyard to be covered with natural materials instead of cement.

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Sep 2, 2014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach regarding the management measures f... more Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach regarding the management measures for solving environmental problems in protected areas. Two neighboring protected areas with different features were chosen in order to investigate the similarity of the environmental problems with regard to these two areas and if it is possible for these problems to be solved through a network of protected areas. Design/methodology/approach – The research was carried out through the use of a questionnaire which was distributed to the inhabitants and visitors of both areas, as well as through interviews with the representatives of organizations responsible for the management and administration of those areas and representatives of the municipalities and the regional authorities these two national parks belong to. Simple random sampling was applied to the inhabitants and cluster sampling to the visitors. Findings – The results show that with regard to the visitors the most important problem is illegal hunting while for the inhabitants equally important is the problem of pollution and cleanliness. However, those responsible with the management of the two National Parks think that the greatest threat to the wider area is the problem of floods. Originality/value – The views of the stakeholders in a given time, provides us with the best possible information for solving the problems faced and can be used as a tool for increasing the effectiveness of the measures which have been taken to deal with the particular problems.

Land

One of the most recent and pressing issues for policymakers to address is the presence of wild bo... more One of the most recent and pressing issues for policymakers to address is the presence of wild boars in urban and rural areas. Their aggressive spread and invasion of human-populated areas have created an alarming problem as the coexistence of wild boars and people poses serious threats to human life and property. Human-caused factors, such as residential zone expansion and land use change, have exacerbated this problem. Furthermore, natural factors, such as predator reduction and climate change effects, create favorable conditions for population growth. This study sought to gain insights into citizens’ perspectives on a current issue, specifically wild boar colonization and coexistence in urban and rural settings. Between September 2021 and November 2022, a survey was conducted in two communities of northern and central Greece, addressing 800 citizens in total. Obtained through hierarchical log-linear analysis, factor analysis and two-step cluster analysis, the findings indicate th...

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics

J. for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development

Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology

The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes th... more The European Maritime transport policy has embraced important environmental protection schemes that are directly or indirectly connected to shipping and port performance. A comprehensive database on the European Union (EU) environmental policy for the last 30 years has been attempted concerning mainly shipping and ports in terms of mandatory secondary law. The regulatory instruments were classified according to their subject; while, the main patterns were identified and the connections with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework were highlighted. The major findings disclose a complementary operation by both IMO and EU.

Intermodal transportation systems have been emerged by the need for advanced, responsive, safe, s... more Intermodal transportation systems have been emerged by the need for advanced, responsive, safe, sustainable, smart and cost-efficient solutions in transportation of goods and passengers. The European Union policies, strategies and initiatives aim to successfully enhance connectivity. The current study examines four (4) intermodality cases in the Adriatic-Ionian area, located in Corfu, Bari, Pula and Dubrovnik. The data were collected with the use of a structured and a semi-structured questionnaire addressing experts, airport and port professionals, researchers, and travel agents. The stakeholders’ views were analyzed by descriptive statistics and a SWOT analysis was also conducted. The study aims to provide important insights on the prospects and challenges for the development of intermodal scenarios in the Adriatic-Ionian area according to the stakeholders’ views. The main findings of the study are focusing on the realization of tailor-made scenarios such as new soft infrastructure...

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2017

The depletion of the world's forests in both tropical and temperate regions threatens to cause co... more The depletion of the world's forests in both tropical and temperate regions threatens to cause considerable environmental problems and hamper future economic development. However, some research has suggested that this deforestation might slow or reverse, exhibiting an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). Yet previous studies investigating such an EKC have found mixed results. We therefore test for a deforestation EKC using an improved dataset from the World Development Indicators and an enhanced econometric technique Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. We compare OECD countries with the non-OECD regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa to determine how various factors like economic growth, population, trade, urbanization, agricultural land conversion, and cereal yield impact deforestation rates. The results show that the OECD countries have an N-shaped curve whereas only the African region experiences an income-based EKC pattern. Population growth tends to create more deforestation as does conversion to agricultural lands. More trade openness and greater urbanization impact the regions differently, but only the OECD countries have less deforestation due to better cereal yields.