Maidanou Maria
Position: Assistant Researcher
Contact Info
Institute: Marine Biology and Genetics
Address: HCMR, Gournes Pediados P.O.Box 2214, Irakleion 71003, Crete, Greece
Email:mariam@hcmr.gr
Tel: +302810337842
Telex: +302810337822
Website:
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology of Ichthyology from the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Technological Education Institute of Messolonghi (Greece), and her thesis focused on the biology of the fish species Atherina boyeri. She has earned her master’s degree in management of coastal regions from the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of the Aegean and her thesis focused on ecology of macrobenthic fauna of a greek coastal area.
Since 2010, she is a PhD student in Marine Ecology, in the Department of Marine Science of University of the Aegean. She is working on trophodynamics of benthopelagic fishes populations associated with macroalgal habitats in semi-enclosed ecosystems.
She has adequate experience working on projects concerning marine biodiversity (polychaets, molluscs, crustaceans, fish), ecology of macrobenthic fauna, biology and ecology of demersal and benthopelagic fish, microbiological quality assessment in potable, fresh and marine waters (e.g. total and fecal coliforms, E. coli). She participates in surveys with vessels and fishing boats. She has participated up to now in twenty nine European and national research projects.
2010-to date: PhD student in Marine Ecology, Department of Marine Science, University of the Aegean (Greece), Doctoral thesis on trophodynamics of benthopelagic fishes populations associated with macroalgal habitats in semi-enclosed ecosystems.
2005: MSc in Marine Ecology, Department of Marine Science, University of the Aegean (Greece), thesis on ecology of macrobenthic fauna of coastal transitional ecosystems
1995: Degree in Technology of Ichthyology, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Technological Education Institute of Messolonghi (Greece), thesis on the biology of the fish species Atherina boyeri.
Professional Profile
2003-to date: Research assistant, Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Institute of Marine Biology & Genetics (IMBG), Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Greece.
1995-2003: Technician and Research assistant in the Department of Technology and Management of the Marine Environment, Institute of Marine Biology of Crete (IMBC), Greece.
Teaching Experience
2009 –to date: Participation in the lectures of the educational programme held at the Cretaquarium (Crete, Greece).
2008 –2009: Participation in the lectures of the educational programme taking place at the Cretaquarium (Crete, Greece) within the framework of the activities of EurOCEANS.
Research Interests
Maria Maidanou has research interests on marine biodiversity (polychaets, molluscs, crustaceans, fish), structure and dynamics of macrobenthic assemblages, biology and ecology of demersal and bentho-pelagic fish assemblages, coastal zone management, marine pollution monitoring, environmental impact assessment, marine protected zones, effects of aquaculture in the marine environment and microbiological quality assessment in potable, fresh and marine waters (e.g. total and fecal coliforms, E. coli).
• Evagelopoulos A., Koutsoubas D., Basset A., Pinna M., Dimitriadis C., Sangiorgio F., Barbone E., Maidanou M., Koulouri P., & C. Dounas, 2008. Spatial and seasonal variability of the macrobenthic fauna in Mediterranean solar saltworks ecosystems. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 18: S118-S134.
• Tsapakis E., Karakasis I., Xatziyanni E. & Maidanou M., 1997. Effects of aquaculture in three coastal areas. Fisheries News, 199: 90-95 (In Greek).
• Karakasis I., Tsapakis E., Xatziyanni E., Maidanou M., Papadopoulou, N., Pita P. & Smith C., 1997. Interaction of Aquaculture and the Marine Environment. Methodology and preliminary results. Fisheries News, 192: 40-45 (In Greek).
• Karakasis I., Smith C., Papadopoulou N.,., Tsapakis E., Xatziyanni E., Maidanou M., Frentzos A., White P., Kourakis S. & Katranidis S., 1996. Aquaculture & Environment: a research project of the 2nd Operational Program of Greece, General Secretariat of Research & Technology. Fisheries News, 178: 36-41 (In Greek).
Project: Essential Fish Habitats in Elounda Bay (north-eastern coasts of Crete)
Maria Maidanou
Technology of Ichthyology, M.Sc.
Research assistant in the Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
mariam@hcmr.gr
Elounda Bay is a major fishing ground for the recruitment and development of juvenile fishes thus significantly contributing to the enrichment and sustainability of the biological resources along the north-east continental shelf of Crete. The aim of the project is the collection of historical and field data in order to develop a management plan focusing on protection of this particular ecosystem as well as the conservation of its local biological resources and especially the sustainable development of fisheries in the north coasts of Lasithi area.
My doctoral thesis is focused on trophodynamics of the most important demersal and bentho-pelagic fish species living in Elounda Bay. Taxa composition, abundance and frequency of occurrence of their prey has revealed significant seasonal changes. Data from the fish stomach contents are also compared with the available macrofaunal benthic and planktonic organisms. Preliminary results show that the favorable natural conditions, prevailing in the study area and especially the presence of the Caulerpa prolifera meadow – an important structuring element providing a great variety of ecological niches and shelter for larvae and juveniles – makes indeed Elounda Bay an essential and unique fish habitat for the whole north-eastern coasts of Crete.
