School of Social Sciences, Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI), Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia; UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems, International Hellenic University, Drama, Greece; Corresponding author.
Dimitrios Emmanouloudis
Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, International Hellenic University, Kavala, Greece; UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems, International Hellenic University, Drama, Greece
Garry J. Stevens
School of Social Sciences, Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI), Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
Nikolaos D. Katopodes
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States; UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems, International Hellenic University, Drama, Greece
Assefa M. Melesse
Institute of Environment, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, United States
For thousands of years, soil resources in Greece have been a critical underpinning of local socio-economies. However, soil threats are increasing rapidly, primarily due to human activity and the impacts of climate change. Greek and other European state governments have established legal frameworks to protect soil, but there is a great need for centralization and harmonization with European Law. This chapter highlights the importance of integrated soil governance frameworks that could be applied at the regional or international level while also supporting public engagement and local focus. It also considers the urgent need to address erosion - a major threat to soil resources in Greece that affects local well-being, environmental sustainability and heritage sites.
