Landscapes Med-INA Intimately linked to natural and cultural The Mediterranean Institute for Nature and heritage, landscapes are a key factor in Anthropos (Med-INA) is a non-profi t or- individual and social well-being. In re- ganisation with an international mandate. It cent years, various destructive human was legally established in Greece in 2003. activities including urbanisation and Its main aim is to contribute to a harmo- large-scale infrastructure works have nious relationship between Anthropos had a negative impact on landscapes. (humankind) and Nature, by working on Med-INA studies and promotes land- the interface between the two through scape management and conservation is- research, action and public awareness. sues in Greece and the Mediterranean, Focused on the Mediterranean Region, applying innovative landscape method- its priority areas of research and action ologies that can help tackle key envi- are the following: ronmental issues, empower community participation, enhance local identity Cultural values of wetlands and promote sustainable development. Operating within the framework of the Med-INA played a decisive role in Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ram- Greece’s ratifi cation of the European sar, 1971), Med-INA has been working Landscape Convention (ELC) in 2010, to incorporate cultural values in the man- actively assists the Greek Ministry of the agement of wetlands. For millennia, hu- Environment in its implementation, and man beings have co-existed with nature, participates in Council of Europe activi- which provided resources and services for ties relating to the ELC. survival and the development of societies as well as inspiring an element of awe re- fl ected in spiritual and cultural practices in the Mediterranean. The weakening of this relationship has led to the degradation of ecosystems and the loss of the services and values of Mediterranean wetlands. By incorporating the study and promo- tion of cultural values in the manage- ment of these sensitive areas, Med-INA hopes to reconnect people with wetlands and to ensure a more sustainable future. Med-INA actively participates and sup- ports the Ramsar Culture Working Group and played a key role in developing the Ramsar Guidance on Culture and wet- lands, whose actions it now implements. Sacred natural sites The Delos Initiative seeks to study and promote the possibilities of synergy in the conservation of the spiritual, cultural and natural heritage of protected areas in developed countries. A Med-INA pro- posal, the Initiative was developed in the framework of the Specialist Group on Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas (CSVPA), within the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN/ WCPA), with a view to maintaining both the sanctity and the biodiversity of these sites. To this effect, case stu dies relating to indigenous and mainstream faiths around the world have been studied, analysed and presented at workshops and in publi- cations. Med-INA undertakes the day-to- Contacts: day running of the Initiative, has staged workshops in collaboration with the Si- Med-INA Scientifi c Secretariat lene Association, Spain, and has helped 23 Voucourestiou Street, 106 71 coordinate the related publications. Athens, Greece Med-INA has also actively supported the T: +30 210 3600711-4 initiatives made by the Holy Community F: +30 210 3629338 of Mt Athos with a view to the integrated E: [email protected] ma nagement of the Athonite Peninsula. 2 Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean: an evolving story edited by Thymio Papayannis and Dave Pritchard 3 Med-INA The designation of geographical entities and the presentation of material in this book do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Med-INA, the editors and the authors concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area or of its authorities, or con- cerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of Med-INA, MedWet or the MAVA Foundation. Published by: Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (Med-INA), Athens, Greece. Copyright: © All the authors for their respective contributions and Med-INA Citation: Papayannis, T. and Pritchard, D. E. (2011), Culture and Wetlands in the Mediterranean: an Evolving Story, Athens, Med-INA. ISBN: 978-960-89972-2-6 Cover photos: Front: Giorgos Catsadorakis Back: SPP archive - L.Nikolaou, A. Sovinc Layout and cover design: Pavlina Alexandropoulou Co-ordinator: Irini Lyratzaki Proof-reading: Michael Eleftheriou Printed by: I. Peppas A.B.E.E. Available from: Med-INA 23, Voukourestiou Street 106 71 Athens Greece 4 Tel+30 210 3600711 Fax+30 210 3629338 [email protected] www.med-ina.org The publication was funded mainly by the MAVA Foundation and partly by Med-INA. The text of the book has been printed on 115 g matt-coated elemental chlorine-free (ECF) paper. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean: an evolving story edited by Thymio Papayannis and Dave Pritchard Preface: Anada Tiéga Contributors: Giorgio Andrian Myrsini Malacou Abdelhamid Belemlih Josep-Maria Mallarach Nejib Benessaiah Jean-Yves Mondain-Monval Sajmir Beqiraj Popi Nalpantidou Vanja Debeveć-Gerjevič Thymio Papayannis Zamir Dedej George Parisopoulos Selim Erdoğan Dave Pritchard Moustafa Fouda Assad Adel Serhal et al. Julian Hoffman Ma’en Smadi Peter Howard Aphrodite Sorotou & Stefanos Dodouras Katia Hueso & Theodora Petanidou Andrej Sovinc Yannis Kazoglou Vassilis Spyratos 5 Manos Koutrakis Theotokis Theodoulou Mauro Lenzi Jaroslav Vego Irini Lyratzaki Violeta Zuna Med-INA 6 Table of contents Preface 11 Anada Tiéga, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention 0. Introduction 15 Cultural aspects of wetlands: values and services 15 Incorporating cultural aspects in the Ramsar Convention 17 Scope and purpose of this book 20 1. Nature and culture in wetlands: General guidance 25 Integrated management of natural and cultural values of wetlands: 26 the contribution of UNESCO Giorgio Andrian Culture and wetlands: the new Ramsar Guidance 39 Dave Pritchard Integrating nature and culture in wetland management 48 Thymio Papayannis 2. Habitation 57 2.1 Settlements and structures 57 Evolving relationships between people and water: 62 archaeological evidence Theotokis Theodoulou Archaeology and nature conservation: 72 from conflict to synergy in Butrint, Albania Zamir Dedej Archaeological heritage and nature conservation in the Kune-Vaini 81 wetlands, Albania Sajmir Beqiraj Archaeological sites and historic buildings in Turkish wetlands 91 Selim Erdoğan Archaeological interests in two wetland sites: Desilo, Hutovo Blato, 104 Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Narona, Neretva Delta, Croatia 7 Jaroslav Vego Archaeological heritage of the Prespa Lakes 112 Popi Nalpantidou 2.2 Cultural landscapes 119 Wetland landscapes in the Mediterranean: current concerns for 121 a sustainable future Aphrodite Sorotou and Stefanos Dodouras A Prespa landscape: the wonder of ordinary places 132 Julian Hoffman 3. Primary use of wetland resources 141 3.1 Agriculture and stockbreeding 145 Agriculture, stockbreeding and wetlands: the case of Prespa 146 Yannis Kazoglou 3.2 Fishing and aquaculture 159 Fisheries in the lagoons of northern Greece: cultural aspects and indicators 161 of biological integrity Manos Koutrakis Compatibility of tradition and economic development in the management 172 of Orbetello Lagoon, Tuscany, Italy Mauro Lenzi Traditional fisheries and wetland conservation: threats and opportunities 182 for synergy. The Amvrakikos case study, Greece Vassilis Spyratos 3.3 Hunting 197 Hunting in Mediterranean wetlands and its cultural aspects 198 Jean-Yves Mondain-Monval 3.4 Salt extraction 211 Cultural aspects of Mediterranean salinas 213 Katia Hueso and Theodora Petanidou Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, Slovenia: latest developments and important 227 cultural activities Andrej Sovinc 3.5 Water supply and use 235 Water-management challenges in the Mediterranean: past, present and future 237 George Parisopoulos 4. Secondary use of wetland resources 251 4.1 Food processing 253 Food and culture, food and nature: food resources and culinary heritage 254 in Mediterranean wetlands Irini Lyratzaki 8 4.2 Craftsmanship 267 4.3 Traditional building construction 269 4.4 Tourism, leisure and sport 273 Integration of cultural aspects in ecotourism programs in Jordanian 275 protected areas Ma’en Smadi Interpretation and ecotourism possibilities in Mediterranean wetland sites 284 Vanja Debeveć-Gerjevič 4.5 Social practices and methods 293 4.6 Festivals, celebrations and events 295 Social events in Narta, Albania, and their links with environmental conservation 296 Violeta Zuna 5. Knowledge, belief systems and the arts 305 5.1 Scientifi c research and education 307 Managing the natural and cultural heritage of wetlands in Egypt 311 Moustafa Fouda Environmental education in wetland sites: the case of the Centre National 317 d’Education Environnementale de Sidi Boughaba, Morocco Abdelhamid Belemlih 5.2 Traditional knowledge 325 Traditional ecological knowledge, conservation and socio-ecological 329 perspectives in the Prespa transboundary Park Myrsini Malacou 5.3 Spirituality and belief systems 343 Spiritual and religious values of northern Mediterranean wetlands: 347 challenges and opportunities for conservation Josep-Maria Mallarach Wetlands and the Islamic perception of nature 362 Nejib Benessaiah The Hima: an ancient conservation system from the Arabian Peninsula 372 for the future Assad Adel Serhal et al. 5.4 Aesthetics