Coastal Wetlands and the Climate Crisis

Coastal wetlands and the climate crisis: Why the Mediterranean needs nature-based solutions Italy will face substantial flooding Heatwaves: Increased in coastal areas frequency, intensity The crisis in and duration The Balearics and Mediterranean wetlands: other areas will see Desert areas increase in substantial changes in * Spain, Portugal, Morocco, their shorelines numbers Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, vital but vanishing Turkey, Syria One-third of the region’s coastal population will be The Mediterranean is getting hotter – and we need its wetlands more than ever. affected by rising Wetlands are at the heart of life itself. They give us our drinking water, irrigate our sea levels Mediterranean crops, support huge biodiversity, underpin cultures, and are increasingly vital in the population under severe 15 megacities fight to mitigate and adapt to climate change. But our wetlands are in trouble. In the water stress: (>1 million inhabitants) 1.5°C are at risk Mediterranean we’ve destroyed about half of our wetlands in the last 50 years, and there rise since Today: 180 million from flooding are intense pressures on remaining areas, most of which are damaged and degraded. 1880-1899 By 2040: 250 million

When we lose our wetlands, we lose all the benefits and services they offer – and with a growing population and a heating planet, we can’t afford for this to happen. The Mediterranean: 2.2°C AIR projected a climate crisis hotspot rise by 2040 15-30% The Mediterranean is a climate change hotspot, and this makes how we manage its wetlands in the coming rainfall decades all the more significant. decrease by 2100 10-20% Scientific projections for climate change in the region were released by the network of Mediterranean increase in heavy Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC) in 2019. The findings are shocking, rainfall events >3.8°C by 2080 confirming that the region will be hit harder and faster than most other parts of the world. This will have projected rise serious social, economic and environmental consequences for millions of people. by 2100 The overall figures vary depending on the scenarios used in the estimates, but they paint a vivid picture of a region at the sharp end of the climate crisis: 50% RAINFALL AND flood risk increase by 1.8-3.5°C FLOODS 2100 hotter by The Mediterranean 2100 region is warming 2.2°C 52-190cm projected global average rise by 2100 temperature 20% 13% faster than the rest erosion risk rise by 2040 of the world* increase by 2100 3.4mm MEDITERRANEAN rise per SEA year

2 *Figures from Risks associated to climate and environmental changes in the Mediterranean region, MedECC, 2018 3 How wetlands provide CO2 Flood defences

Wetlands disperse and absorb excess CO2 nature-based solutions water, which slows down flows, preventing soil erosion and flood damage caused by extreme weather events. Water to the climate crisis stored in this way can also help maintain river levels during droughts. Such events are increasing, and

throughH2 Othis ‘sponge effect’ wetlands offer a really Against the urgent backdrop of a changing climate, healthy wetlands provide people effective – and entirely natural – way of defending Biodiversity and planet with diverse critical services – effectively, they offer nature-based solutions ourselves against the damage they cause. H2O to manmade problems. Wetlands are among the most productive habitats on Earth, and CO2 Carbon sinks Mediterranean wetlands are home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity: freshwater Wetlands are among the under threat* wetlands hold more than 40% of the world’s world’s most significant carbon species and 12% of all animal species. Coastal sinks – estimates show they wetlands host countless bird species, especially currently store up to 40% of the during migrations, and shelter critical fish world’s carbon. Restoring more wetland areas populations. Biodiversity projections in a would sequester more carbon, reducing the heating climate show major losses in all species level of atmospheric greenhouse gases fuelling H2O groups, so it’s imperative that existing wetland global heating, and making an important habitats remain viable and as many others as contribution to mitigating future temperature possible are restored. CO2 rises. When they’re destroyed, though, the carbon they store enters the atmosphere – so damaging wetlands doesn’t just prevent us Reduction in Reduction in Change in animal wetlands Reduction in flood control abundance from enjoying their benefits, it directly makes since 1970 river flows capacity 36% since 1990 95% Wetlands today: a Mediterranean crisis the world a hotter place. Wetland species Coastal wetland Wetland areas used to extend across vast -48% -25% -20% threatened by -35% sites home to expanses of the Mediterranean basin, CO2 extinction more than 50,000 but for hundreds of years wetlands were H2O Water provision and waterbirds seen as land that needed to be drained, purification threatened by filled in, cleared, made ‘productive’. The sea level rise Wetlands are the kidneys of process accelerated in the 20th century as Nature. They play a critical part in -75% a fast-growing population drove runaway storing and cleaning our drinking development in an increasingly resource- water, either directly or by recharging starved region. CO2 Protection from rising seas groundwater aquifers. Climate change is H2O Food provision Today wetlands cover some 18.5 million reducing the quantity and quality of available Along the coast, wetlands buffer the hectares, between 1.7-2.4% of the total area water, while demand continues to rise. land from waves and wind. As sea levels The global food system is one of the of the 27 Mediterranean countries. With a Once water enters wetland systems, plants rise, coastal wetland areas from sand biggest contributors to climate change. very few exceptions their flooding regimes known as hydrophytes filter its chemicals dunes to mangroves become the first line of Sustainable aquaculture and coastal are now artificially managed, and many of and sediment, absorbing pollutants and defence against the encroaching salt waters – which fisheries can both provide important low- the remaining areas are badly degraded. converting them into nutrients, a natural otherwise threaten settlements, farmland, drinking carbon sources of nutrition to reduce net emissions purification and storage system. In a water-H2O water supplies and freshwater ecosystems. The more – but to operate successfully over the long term both stressed Mediterranean, this role is growing robust and resilient they are, the more effectively depend on healthy and resilient wetlands. more important by the day. they can dissipate the energy of the waves.

* Source: report “Mediterranean wetlands - Challenges and prospects 2: solutions for sustainable Mediterranean wetlands”, MWO-OZHM, Tour du Valat, 2018. 4 5 Why are our Ramsar: working for wetlands wetlands Wetlands have one effective global mechanism dedicated to their ‘conservation and wise use’: the Ramsar Convention. An international treaty which came into force in 1976, the Ramsar Convention identifies and protects internationally important wetland sites, encouraging disappearing? action and cooperation between the 170 contracting parties. In total, there are 2,372 Ramsar sites in the world covering over 2.5 million km2. There are currently 424 Ramsar sites in the Mediterranean, and campaigners are working hard to bring other important Mediterranean Agriculture – The single biggest factor in the wetland areas under Ramsar Convention protection. loss of Mediterranean wetlands is agriculture. Vast areas have been drained and converted for agricultural use. MedWet: Development – From ever-spreading industry driving action and urbanisation to waterfront tourist complexes, 8. infrastructure development has ravaged much of 24. The Mediterranean Wetlands the Mediterranean’s natural heritage – wetlands Initiative (MedWet) encourages have been at the sharp end of land use change, 21. 5. 3. and supports wetland managers particularly in coastal regions. 20. 4. 16. and governments to adopt Changes in hydrology – Few wetlands 11. 17. 22. 1. policies and take action today maintain natural hydrological cycles: dams, 26. on the ground to drive the dikes and diverted flows for irrigation and other 19. 9. conservation and sustainable purposes all reduce nature’s ability to self-regulate, 15. 23. use of Mediterranean wetlands. and ecological processes begin to break down. 25. 6. Sedimentation/erosion 2. Founded in 1991, MedWet – Wetland 18. 13. was the first – and remains the vegetation plays an important role in keeping 10. leading – regional initiative 7. 12. waterways clear – when it’s removed for 14. officially recognised under the grazing or development, banks are eroded and Ramsar Convention. sedimentation follows. Pollution Geared to long-term – Agriculture, industry and urban collaboration, MedWet is centres all pollute wetlands, harming biodiversity the only platform where and reducing the resilience of natural processes. Country Ramsar sites Hectares Country Ramsar sites Hectares* institutions and civil society Invasive species – Whether introduced on 1. Albania 4 98,181 14. Libya 2 83 share knowledge and technical purpose or by accident, alien wetland species 2. Algeria 50 2,991,013 15. Malta 2 117 capacity for the benefit of can out-compete native ones, unbalancing 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 56,779 16. Monaco 1 23 wetlands in the Mediterranean. ecosystems. The issue is compounded because 4. Bulgaria 11 49,873 17. Montenegro 3 21,627 It includes the 27 Mediterranean waterways act as networks through which new 5. Croatia 18. Morocco contracting parties to the species spread. 5 94,358 38 316,086 6.Cyprus 1 1,107 19. Portugal 31 132,487 Ramsar Convention, as well Climate change – While wetlands can help 7. Egypt 4 415,532 20. Serbia 10 63,919 as Palestine, the Ramsar defend us against climate change when they’re 8. France 49 3,714,412 21. Slovenia 3 8,205 Secretariat, intergovernmental preserved, they’re also directly threatened by it. 9. Greece 22. Spain institutions, NGOs, and The increased droughts and storms of our heating 10 163,501 75 304,564 10. Israel 2 366 23. Syrian Arab Republic 1 10,000 specialist national wetland planet damage wetlands, while rising sea levels 11. Italy 24. North Macedonia organisations. will submerge many Mediterranean coastal 56 73,308 2 21,616 12. Jordan 25. Tunisia Find out more at wetland areas in the coming decades. 2 13,472 41 840,363 13. Lebanon 4 1,075 26. Turkey 14 184,487 www.medwet.org * Figures from Ramsar 6 7 A new story for Mediterranean wetlands

Coastal wetlands are particularly important for fighting climate change, and pilot restoration projects are already underway in some areas where the need is greatest. Fishermen in Sinis, Sardinia ©MedSea Foundation Ulcinj Salina, Montenegro. ©CZIP Ultimately the aim is to scale up and adapt the lessons learned across the wider Mediterranean, so wetlands can once again provide the full range and extent of functions and services we need to underpin a sustainable future for people and planet.

The Off Your Map initiative: inform and act areas where the diverse issues to address reflect the Off Your Map, coordinated by MedWet, brings challenges facing wetlands across the Mediterranean: NGOs focused on conservation and natural Buna River, Albania (lower delta) resource management together with economic Ghar el Melah, Tunisia (coastal lagoons and dunes) experts. Its goals are: Ulcinj, Montenegro (salt pans) To promote the critical role that wetlands can play Oristano, Sardinia, Italy (coastal lagoons) as nature-based solutions to the climate crisis The collaboration also includes a project to evaluate Educational activities in Ghar El Melh Bulls, Camargue, France © O.Pineau/Tour du Valat To encourage more effective conservation of the ecosystem services at each site (TESSA), a focus on rich natural and cultural heritage of wetland sites. saltpans (The Saltpan Initiative), and the network Off Your Map is currently supporting projects in four for Mediterranean island wetlands (MedIsWet).

8 9 Lake Skadar, Montenegro © J.Jalbert/Tour du Valat Buna River Albania

LINK http://livingbuna.org/

Geography: river delta Area: 2 230.2km Demographics: 36,000 in region Main economic activities: agriculture, fishing, tourism Importance: rich biodiversity, ecosystem services, fisheries

Pressures

Coastal habitat destruction through development © IUCN Mass tourism Unsustainable fishing “I trust that we’re on the path Unsustainable agriculture Action plan towards a sustainable and Water abstraction resilient Buna River Delta as Pollution (solid waste/wastewater) Increase knowledge base and awareness on ecosystem services and we work to get the community The Buna River contains the most important The cross-border nature of the site adds to values, integrated coastal wetland management, sustainable land use more active and educate the wetlands of high ecological value in the Eastern the complexity of the situation: Albania and practices Mediterranean, sheltering some 320 species Montenegro must work together towards young on the importance of of flora, 250 bird species and 107 fish species. integrated management of their shared natural Improve management and restoration wetlands and good management. Many of the animals in the region are rare resources, particularly in addressing water use, of pilot site through innovative and endangered, including pygmy cormorant, pollution and unsustainable development. conservation programmes and Through the Action for Buna Eurasian otter, golden jackal and sturgeon. It also An ‘Action for Buna’ grants initiative for civil sustainable business models and grants we’re helping the incentives for local communities has important oak forests. organisations and community representatives (environmentally friendly fishing and local residents take small but Crop and livestock production, fishing and in the Buna Delta protected landscape, which farming, sustainable tourism, habitat important steps, counting on the tourism in and around the Buna River are will end in June 2020, aims to encourage restoration) all heavily dependent on healthy wetland regional socioeconomic development through support from the government resources – but unsustainable practices are ecosystem and habitat restoration. It also Enable a multi-stakeholder and local institutions as well as common in all these activities, reducing the supports the implementation of the Buna governance and transboundary resilience of local ecosystems. A possible Delta management plan, focusing on three key mechanism to address threats, enforce the international community.” solution could be to stop development in areas: i) coastal habitat restoration projects; regulations, support knowledge Zamir Dedej high value wetlands to prevent further habitat ii) agri-environmental incentive schemes transfer and joint planning degradation and to restore damaged critical including irrigation; and iii) sustainable tourism/ Director, National Agency of Protected Areas in Albania wetlands and coastal habitats. infrastructure development.

10 11 Ghar el Melh Tunisia

LINK https://www.wwf.tn/fr/nos_projets/gemwet/

Geography: lagoon Area: 2 approx. 35km Demographics: 5,345 in town Main economic activities: agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, tourism Importance: biodiversity, fisheries, cultural heritage

Pressures

Coastal development © WWF-North Africa Illegal construction Agricultural run-off (eutrophication) “Ninety-five percent of coastal Drying out/salted up polders Action plan Unsustainable fishing wetlands today are threatened Inadequate or non-existent wastewater treatment Improve local knowledge and by flooding, and wetlands are information on biodiversity, hydrology, Climate change marine resources and socioeconomic disappearing three times more aspects through collaboration with Designated a Wetland of International touristic destination, particularly in the summer science, academia etc quickly than forests. I hope Importance, Ghar el Melh was the first North months. Farmers use land right up to the shores of Develop a governance model which solutions are found quickly – African and Middle Eastern city to receive the lagoon, and on the floodplains to the north. aims to reconcile development Ramsar’s Wetland City Accreditation Award, in it would be wise to begin by Unfortunately, neither the fishing, nor the challenges and natural capital recognition of its formal engagement in efforts farming, nor the tourism have been developed preservation (regulate tourism to highlighting the ecological role towards wetland protection and sustainability. with sufficient care, and all are now contributing match site carrying capacity, introduce Ghar el Melh actively promotes the ecological to the stresses on the local ecosystems. Climate sustainable fisheries management etc) these environments play.” importance of its wetlands, and it also recognises change is exacerbating the pressure. With Raise awareness with decision-makers their sociocultural value and their place in the vulnerable fish populations, dried and salt- Inji Hanini region’s rich historical heritage. and build capacity for integrated damaged land, and unsustainable (and sometimes planning and action through lobbying Regional Commissioner for Agricultural While the city is much smaller today than illegal) coastal development, the natural resources and policy work Development in Bizerte, Tunisia it has been at times in the past, many of the which have supported Ghar el Melh’s residents remaining residents depend on the lagoon for for centuries are at a tipping point, and their Demonstrate and spread best practices their livelihoods. Artisanal fishers ply its calm long-term viability is in doubt – the need for in tourism, agriculture, water use, waters, primarily targeting mullet and eels; while sustainable and integrated resource management fishing the wider region has become a popular seaside has never been greater.

12 13 Ulcinj Salina Montenegro

LINK https://www.euronatur.org/en/what-we-do/campaigns-and-initiatives/saving-ulcinj-salina/

Geography: salt works Area: 2 15km Demographics: 400+ jobs at former salt works Main economic activities: salt production (currently halted), tourism Importance: migrating, nesting and wintering birds

Pressures

Breakdown of water management Luxury leisure developments Illegal hunting of birds and eggs

Saltpans are an interesting type of wetland. construct a luxury hotel resort with golf courses © Peter Sackl Although manmade, many have become and a marina. very important habitats for birds across the A sustained international campaign finally Mediterranean, and the saltpans at Ulcinj are won a landmark victory in June 2019, when “I work for the protection of among the most important in the whole region. Action plan the saltpans were declared a national protected the Salina because I believe in They’re the last stop-off for birds migrating area in recognition of their ecological and Develop advocacy campaign and saving nature for generations to across the Adriatic, and they also provide crucial cultural value; then as from July 2019, Ulcinj nesting, wintering and roosting grounds for legal action for protection and law come. It’s an amazing experience Salina was designated as a Ramsar site. But the enforcement many others – more than 250 species have years of neglect have come at a heavy cost. The being part of such a dedicated been recorded at Ulcinj, including flamingos, dykes and channels that make up the complex Halt/significantly reduce black-winged stilts and Dalmatian pelicans. The wetland system have run into disrepair, and unsustainable development team, fighting against all the saltpans are also home to many endangered fish, its ecological processes have been disrupted. odds.” amphibians, reptiles and saline plants. Already bird numbers are falling as some Demonstrate the effectiveness of conservation approaches for species struggle to adapt. The salt works at Ulcinj were set up in 1935, wildlife, habitats and people through Jovana Janjušević producing up to 40,000 tonnes a year at their If Ulcinj Salina is to maintain its immense innovative management and Executive Director, CZIP peak and providing more than 400 jobs. But importance, it needs to be actively managed once restoration programmes they were privatised in 2005 and systematically more. A long-term conservation campaign aims Offer sustainability incentives and run down. The salt harvest was stopped in 2013 to achieve full legal protection and effective new create nature-based small/family and the remaining workers dismissed, and management, while creating sustainable incomes business models for local population the site was allowed to deteriorate as legally through salt production, wildlife tourism and questionable efforts were made to sell it and other small business opportunities.

14 15 Oristano Sardinia, Italy

LINK www.maristanis.org

Geography: coastal wetlands Area: 2 2 77km Ramsar sites, 267km Marine Protected Area Demographics: 35,000 in towns projected to be underwater by 2100 Main economic activities: agriculture, cattle breeding, aquaculture, tourism Importance: ecosystem services, biodiversity, heritage, nature-based climate change solution

Pressures © MedSea Foundation Intensive agriculture, livestock and aquaculture Coastal development “Climate change has had a Pollution Action plan Increased precipitation variability, extreme weather events strong impact on our work. It Improve knowledge base on all has transformed the wetlands The six Ramsar wetlands in Oristano have loss and erosion; while increasing saltwater aspects of Oristano wetlands been central to Sardinia’s economy and culture intrusion is inevitable as global heating drives and the water salinity, and it for hundreds of years. A rich cultural heritage increased coastal flooding. Establish a new common wetlands has caused the disappearance developed on the back of the agriculture and management process involving both Projections show that the Oristano Gulf is one of of some species and encouraged fishing that supported the population, two public and private sectors activities particularly suited to the fertile soils, the first Mediterranean areas that will be severely the arrival of other invasive Ensure connectivity of marine/ clean waterways and fish-filled coasts around affected by widespread flooding as sea levels terrestrial wetland systems ones. That’s why the previous Oristano. Natural wetland processes provided rise: by 2100, local towns that are today home clean water for locals and protected them from to around 35,000 people will be underwater. Promote sustainable water generation of fishers asked us to floods and storm surges, while creating ideal Ironically, these same towns are now beginning to management join and lead the cooperative, to conditions for biodiversity to flourish. Hundreds experience a shortage of fresh water. Reduce pollution adapt it to this new context. But of bird species – some of them endangered – still Thankfully for Oristano, concerted efforts are nest, feed and winter here. underway to turn things round. The key is in Enhance economic and cultural value it’s not enough – all actors in the Over the years, however, wetlands on the working with local communities to enhance their of local heritage territory must join forces and wetland environment to a point where it can Oristano coast have been severely degraded by Raise local awareness to restore work together in harmony.” once more provide the resources they need to human activities and other external elements, society’s bond with wetlands with no adequate management measures taken guarantee new, sustainable livelihoods – as well as Alberto Porcu in response. This has led to blocked and polluted some protection against climate change. In this President, Oristano fishers’ cooperative waterways, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity case, natural solutions are the way forward.

16 17 Saltpans Initiative

Saltpans are a uniquely important kind of Mediterranean wetland. Often part of larger as Herdade da Mourisca and Samouco and Brito The project aims to achieve the following results: Saltpans in the Tagus Estuary (Portugal). wetland complexes, they’re mostly found in estuaries or marshes and tend to be located Support best practice sharing and restoration near cities. Although they’re artificial constructions, when saltpans are well managed Most of these sites belong to the network of measures Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), over time they provide complex and critical ecosystem services, and support a great Coordinate efforts with other saltpan restoration and are also protected under European legislation deal of biodiversity, particularly birdlife. As well as birds which live there permanently projects or visit them to breed or overwinter, saltpans are particularly significant for migratory as Natura 2000 sites and/or included in other international agreements (e.g. Ramsar, the Support the development of priority wetlands, species, which depend on them for foraging and rest. Emerald Network) that recognise their crucial and especially saltpans, as functional natural role in conserving species and habitats. However, habitats which support healthy populations of Saltpans can also offer sustainable economic under increasing pressure from climate change most of them face a wide range of problems, which migratory and non-migratory birds, involving benefits, generating jobs and livelihoods for local impacts such as sea level rise and coastal erosion. require an equally wide range of solutions. local stakeholders populations. Some of these come direct from If we lose the saltpans, we run the risk of losing Seven local partners – MedSea, AAO/BirdLife Carry out ecosystem service assessments at salt production – saltpans are known for their Oristano, Ghar el Melh and Ulcinj gourmet-quality output – while ecotourism, mostly crucial habitats for birds, as well as the other Tunisia, CZIP, SEO/BirdLife, Salarte, Doga birdwatching, is also very much a growth industry benefits they offer local populations – and Dernegi and SPEA – are responsible for the Identify potential sustainable income streams for such areas. we can’t allow this to happen. That’s why a on-the-ground project implementation, leading that can contribute to the sustainable partnership of NGOs and other bodies led by on activities related to restoration, ecotourism, management of the target sites But in recent years many of the saltpans across Birdlife International has launched the Saltpan assessment of ecosystem services, biodiversity Create or enhance the capacity of local the Mediterranean have been run down or Initiative, a multi-year programme to restore monitoring and improvement of management plans. communities living in the selected sites to simply abandoned. Cheaper rock salt has saltpans and their surrounding wetlands right understand and assess ecosystem services, and undermined the economic model behind sea salt The Saltpan Initiative will develop and share best across the Mediterranean. support them in communicating the results to all production, while endless coastal development practices, build capacity and coordinate with other relevant stakeholders. is encroaching on sites all over the region. The Saltpan Initiative is active at numerous sites, saltpan restoration efforts in the region. Agricultural pollution and unsustainable water including Oristano (Sardinia), Ghar el Melh extraction has further damaged their delicate (Tunisia), Ulcinj Salina (Montenegro), Bahia de ecosystems, which at the same time are coming Cadiz (Spain) and Gediz Delta (Turkey), as well “Our Mediterranean coastal wetlands are key sites for the conservation of migratory birds and other biodiversity. Over the years, the BirdLife Partnership has identified a network of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and tried to tackle the wide range of threats they face. Some of these important coastal wetlands are also saltpans, which provides a fantastic opportunity to work with site managers and local communities in order to develop a common vision for the future where people and biodiversity go hand in hand.” Sofia Capellan Senior Conservation Officer for Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, BirdLife

LINK www.birdlife.org/worldwide/projects/saltpan-recovery-project

18 19 MedIsWet The Mediterranean Island Wetlands Network

There are more than 14,000 island wetland sites in nine Mediterranean countries with an area above 0.1 hectares. They are a key conservation priority, but they have suffered historically through conversion for development. Today, island wetlands face the same man-made pressures as other wetlands in the region. Given the limited nature of their freshwater supplies, natural island wetlands in particular are in need of an informed and joined up approach to restoring and maintaining their ecological functions.

Ramsar resolution XII.14 addresses this point, aims to grow knowledge and raise awareness and “Calls upon Contracting Parties in and of the importance of these small, numerous around the Mediterranean to address urgently and dispersed island wetlands among both the significant human-induced pressures the public and the scientific community; and threatening island wetlands through effective to advocate for their improved protection at and decisive legislative or executive measures national and international levels. and other actions which apply a precautionary Following a successful pilot project in the approach that would prevent the destruction of Greek islands, national inventories of island island wetlands, while developing more long- wetlands are also underway in Croatia, term and integrated strategies or plans.” Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Spain, Tunisia © WWF-Greece MedIsWet is a network of partnerships and Turkey; and restoration activities have and collaborations between governmental begun. Conservation measures, effective authorities, NGOs, research institutions, administrative frameworks and other best local communities, MedWet and the Ramsar practices will be applied and shared across “Given that we’ve lost almost 50% of our wetlands assets in the Convention formed in 2017 in response to the MedIsWet network, enabling a broad and Mediterranean over the last 40 years, that we’re still losing wetland resolution XII.14. Over a five-year term it growing impact. areas three times faster than forests, and that we’re in uncharted waters when it comes to extreme events caused by the climate crisis, it’s totally clear that we have to act now to protect these valuable ecosystems. Wetlands, especially on islands, are exceptionally important for preserving wildlife and safeguarding human existence!”

Thanos Giannakakis Project Coordinator, WWF-Greece

20 21 TESSA Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-Based Assessment

The growing awareness of the importance of wetland ecosystem services around the Mediterranean is a positive development for the region, but in order to understand the nature and value of these services at particular locations, detailed site-specific information is needed. That’s where TESSA – the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site- Based Assessment – comes in.

TESSA provides practical guidance on low-cost ecosystem services valuation experience is needed methods for evaluating the benefits people receive on the part of the user. from nature, identifying, measuring and putting a One of TESSA’s key aspects is to emphasise the meaningful value on ecosystem services in assessed importance of comparing estimates for alternative locations. This information means practitioners states of a site, for example before and after can make better planning decisions which take the draining a wetland area for agricultural use. importance of natural systems fully into account. Decision-makers can assess the likely real net The toolkit includes methods ranging from consequences of such a change, and hence the household surveys and participatory mapping to benefits for human-wellbeing that could be lost by quantitative biophysical assessment. No specialist conversion or gained by conservation of the land. © AS Pellier

TESSA has been used in all four wetland regions featured in this information pack. “TESSA results contribute to a better appreciation of the services Wetland ecosystem services that can be assessed with the toolkit include: provided by nature on the part

Nature-based recreation and tourism of the local population and Cultivated goods (farming and fishing) decision-makers, allowing them Harvested wild goods (lagoon fishery) to make the right decisions for Water quality sustainable management and the Flood protection conservation of biodiversity.”

Cultural services (aesthetic and spiritual) Moujib Gabous Climate regulation (coming in phase 2) Association ‘Les Amis des Oiseaux’, Ghar El Melh

LINK http://tessa.tools https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/science/assessing-ecosystem-services-tessa © AS Peller © AS Peller

22 23 Wetlands: securing a sustainable future

The Mediterranean Basin is currently facing the most severe ecological and climatic crisis of its long history, with unprecedented biodiversity loss on land and under water, water shortages, increasingly frequent storms and fires, coastal erosion and other major challenges.

If nothing is done to mitigate these impacts, the © Peter Sackl unique ecosystems of the region and its growing population will be seriously affected over the Wetlands are among the best available nature- next decades, with likely consequences including based solutions to address the many challenges weakened human security, health problems, of the climate and ecological changes taking natural resource conflicts, increased migration, place. Governments, private companies, and economic collapse. local communities, NGOs and international It’s time for Mediterranean countries with their organisations must act now in a coordinated way common history to join forces for their common to secure a sustainable future for Mediterranean future. They must save their precious natural wetland ecosystems and the many crucial services capital to ensure the resilience of their unique they provide for wildlife and human well-being. ecosystems and their human societies, and Moreover, preserving Mediterranean wetlands is maintain the political stability of a strategically key to achieving the Sustainable Development important region of the world. Goals in the region by 2030.

Off Your Map is a collaboration Contacts between the following partners, with the funding and support of the To find out more about Mediterranean wetlands – and the work going on to save them – please contact any of the following people: MAVA Foundation. Chantal Menard http://offyourmap.org/ MedWet – [email protected] Lourdes Lázaro IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation – [email protected] Coralie Hermeloup © Off Your Map, 2020 Tour du Valat – [email protected]