START (Sarantaporos: Towards ARTificial barrier removal) is a research initiative that aims to scientifically assess the impacts of artificial barriers on the Sarantaporos River and investigate the conditions required for restoring its natural connectivity.
As part of the broader project, funded by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) and coordinated by the School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), a comprehensive hydrological and hydraulic study of the river catchment is being conducted. This study aims to improve understanding of the functioning of the river system and provide scientific support for future barrier removal and restoration actions.
MedINA participates in the project by providing specialised scientific support to NTUA, drawing on the experience and data acquired through the MapStream project, during which more than 200 artificial barriers were mapped across the Sarantaporos hydrographic network.
At the same time, MedINA contributes to the active engagement of local communities and relevant stakeholders through participatory workshops and local events, ensuring that scientific knowledge is combined with dialogue and collaboration, and supporting social acceptance of potential interventions for restoring the river’s free flow. In addition, through the design and implementation of communication activities, it will contribute to broader awareness-raising and the dissemination of project results.
More specifically, the project aims to:
- conduct a comprehensive hydrological and hydraulic assessment of the Sarantaporos River;
- provide scientific evidence to support potential barrier removal and river connectivity restoration actions;
- strengthen collaboration among scientific institutions, local authorities and communities;
- disseminate project results and communicate knowledge on the restoration of the Sarantaporos River.
START is expected to strengthen scientific knowledge on the functioning of the Sarantaporos River and support evidence-based decision-making regarding the removal of existing artificial barriers from its riverbed. Furthermore, through its participatory activities, the project will foster collaboration among the scientific community, public authorities and local communities, while contributing more broadly to the promotion of river connectivity restoration practices in Greece.