Koiliaris Critical Zone Observatory

The Koiliaris River watershed is a Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) (www.koiliaris-czo.tuc.gr) on the island of Crete and part of the European LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Network and the LTER-Greece Network and has been extensively studied over the past 15 years. Research output from the Koiliaris CZO has been used to put together the scientific puzzle on how the Mediterranean geo-environment functions and develop the tools for sustainable water and land management. In addition, the active stakeholder involvement in the research and applied activities for water management and agricultural activities taking place in Koiliaris CZO has established the Technical University of Crete and our research team as an “institution”, accepted by the local people and that has been the “catalyst” for social consensus in solving local societal problems.