@article {7851,
	title = {Ecological risks affecting the vulnerable fish fauna of rivers in West Macedonia (Greece)},
	journal = {Journal of Environmental Protection and EcologyJournal of Environmental Protection and EcologyJournal of Environmental Protection and Ecology},
	volume = {10},
	number = {2},
	year = {2009},
	note = {ISI Document Delivery No.: 475XITimes Cited: 0Cited Reference Count: 37},
	pages = {545-562},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {The running water ecosystems in Greece which include rivers and small torrents, recently face considerable environmental problems. The mountainous river ecosystems of West Macedonia (Northern Greece) lately present an important environmental degradation mostly because of the extreme use of their natural resources, the pollution they accept and the inappropriate management planning. Therefore, their sensitive fish fauna and their biological resources are disturbed and exhausted, mainly, with a negative impact in the total water ecosystem and the local socio-economic structure. This paper aims to determine the main environmental problems of the 15 mountainous rivers ecosystem affecting important risks for the fish fauna and the fish populations in West Macedonia region as the rivers Agios Germanos, Akritas, Geropotamos, Tetrapotamos, Aliakmon, Veneticos, Greveniotis,Arapitsas, Ladopotamos, Almopeos, Edesscos, Tripotamos, Loudias, Erigonas and Axios. An important number of the species of the fish fauna of these rivers ecosystem is protected from particular national and international laws and conventions. The findings of the study can support the planning of sustainable and rational environmental-friendly management and enhances the relations between biological resources and their habitats. The final results can contribute in the design of a total management plan for the protection of fish fauna in mountainous running waters in Greece.},
	keywords = {environmental risks, fish fauna, fishery management, FRESH-WATER FISHES, lakes, Macedonia, river, sustainable development, West},
	isbn = {1311-5065},
	author = {Antonis K. Kokkinakis}
}
