Author(s)

A. MATSOUKIS, A. KAMOUTSIS & A. CHRONOPOULOU-SERELI

Abstract

The present study explored air temperature and thermal comfort conditions in mountainous region of Nafpaktia (Municipality of Apodotia, Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania), a region without important commercial, industrial or other activities in west continental Greece, and in Athens, a metropolitan urban center in southeast continental Greece. There were 11 study sites in the case of Nafpaktia (676–1455 m altitude), areas with different altitude, ground cover, plant species and plant density. There was one study site in Athens (30 m altitude) nearby a densely built area, under the pressure of industrial activities and heavy traffic. Air temperature and humidity, 1.5 m above ground surface, were monitored simultaneously every 15 min in each site for the period between 1 July and 31 August 2006. Air temperature and relative humidity data were used for the calculation of the thermohygrometric index (THI) from which thermal comfort conditions were evaluated. For this work, two sites of mountainous Nafpaktia region (MNR), one characterized by the lower (fir and chestnut forest area) and the other by the higher (Evinos River area) average THI value, are presented. Results showed that MNR provided clearly improved air temperature and thermal comfort conditions in comparison to Athens in the study period. Fir and chestnut forest area was more beneficial, from a bioclimatological point of view, compared to Evinos River area. Therefore, fir and chestnut forest area should be further supported as a reliable alternative tourist destination for rest and recreation.

Keywords

Athens, mountainous Nafpaktia, temperature, thermohygrometric index