Restoration of degraded watersheds to reduce flood risks in Greece

The Greek Forest Service has successfully restored degraded mountainous areas, particularly the Metsovitos torrent watershed in the Pindos Mountains, through extensive measures including over 1,000 control dams, 70 gabion walls, and reforestation of 500+ hectares with 1.8 million seedlings since 1955. These efforts mitigated erosion, promoted vegetation growth, and reduced flood risks. However, lack of funding and maintenance since the 1990s has led to project decline. Recent extreme weather events like Cyclones Ian, Daniel, and Elias have underscored the urgent need to revive and sustain these restoration initiatives. Climate change intensifies droughts and extreme precipitation, demanding updated techniques such as higher dams and small reservoirs for water retention and fire suppression. Demonstration projects funded by LIFE+ or INTERREG, combined with long-term monitoring, are essential to restore ecological resilience and combat desertification across the Mediterranean.