- Tour du Valat - https://tourduvalat.org/en/ -

Press release – Extreme climatic events, biodiversity loss… What if wetlands were part of the solution?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dubai, 23th October 2018

Fully 48% of wetlands in the Mediterranean basin have disappeared since 1970, according to a recent analysis, while the average global loss is around 35%. The most productive ecosystem on the planet is also the most endangered. There is great urgency to act, and solutions exist!

In view of this, nearly 1,000 delegates from 170 countries are gathering in Dubai from 21 to 29 October to attend the 13th Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, and to decide on the best ways to protect wetlands, the most lavish ecosystem on the planet and yet the most threatened. Fittingly, on this occasion will be made public the second report of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory on the state, challenges, perspectives and solutions for sustainable Mediterranean wetlands.

Wetlands, solutions based on nature

Increasingly we are experiencing extreme weather events, with a failure to adapt and mitigate climate change, loss of biodiversity and collapse of ecosystems, natural disasters, human-caused environmental damage… and if wetlands were part of the solution?

The lights are red! Some figures from the indicators of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory show that:

Water

Climate change

Biodiversity

But solutions exist and initiatives are put in place by a community of actors!

In Morocco, the designation of Ramsar Sites has led to better conservation of waterbirds and reduced threats to these sites.

Well-managed or restored coastal wetlands act as “climate buffers”, providing low-cost protection for people and goods and providing habitat for endangered species.

Agriculture and wetlands: sustainable cohabitation?

Our recent studies show that sustainable agriculture can and must reconcile food security with the maintenance of wetlands.

Well-being and education

More and more people are visiting and enjoying Mediterranean wetlands for educational experiences, tourism and recreation, and simply for their well-being purposes (Indicator13).

Governance and protection

Where the regulatory framework and the necessary means have been mobilized, there has been an increase in waterbird populations since the mid-2000s (Indicator 1).

 

Discover the full version of the report “Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook 2: Solutions for sustainable Mediterranean wetlands [1]

The Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory just published the new report “Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook 2: Solutions for Sustainable Mediterranean Wetlands (MWO-2)”.

The MWO-2 updates the situation of Mediterranean wetlands since 2012, the year of publication of the first Outlook report (MWO-1), which was the first regional assessment based on indicators of the state of wetlands and the problems they face.

This report, comprising 16 indicator sheets and a synthesis for policy makers, provides a regional perspective on the outcomes of the first Ramsar Convention report entitled “Global Wetlands Outlook: State of the World’s Wetlands and their Wetlands”’ on the occasion of the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on wetlands (Ramsar COP13, Dubai, October 2018)

 

Join our side events at Ramsar COP13 in Dubai

Side event: Monitoring the status and trends of wetlands in the Mediterranean region: the Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook 2

18:15 – 19:30 | October 25

 

The Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory, coordinated by Tour du Valat within the framework of the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative – MedWet, will introduce the latest results of the 2nd Mediterranean Wetland Outlook report (MWO-2) with an update on Mediterranean wetlands status since the 1st report (MWO-1) in 2012, and will provide regional support for the findings of the Ramsar Convention’s first Global Wetland Outlook (GWO).

 

Side event: Enhancing the Conservation of Mediterranean Coastal Wetlands

18:15 – 19:30 | October 24

The MAVA Foundation launched a five-year strategy on enhancing Mediterranean coastal wetlands’ conservation. Four sites are selected in Oristano (Maristanis project, Sardinia, Italy), Ghar el Melah (Tunisia), Ulcinj Salina (Montenegro) and Buna River Protected Landscape (Albania). Horizontal actions are also set up with islands wetlands inventories (the MedIsWet project implementing the XII.14 Ramsar resolution), also campaigning with Off Your Map*, integrated coastal wetlands governance, and socio-economic project.

*Off Your Map: Don’t let Coastal Wetlands be wiped off the map

Off Your Map is a campaign of 11 international partners aiming at improving the understanding of coastal wetlands’ characteristics and the ways to conserve, manage and enjoy them sustainably. Together we must turn the tide for Mediterranean Coastal Wetlands.

More information and Press Release here: http://bit.ly/Offyourmap_launch_EN [2]

 

The Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO)

Coordinated by the Tour du Valat, the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory was created in 2008 in the framework of the MedWet Initiative to monitor and evaluate the status and trends of Mediterranean wetlands, and to further improve the knowledge of their multiple benefits. Its ultimate goal is to improve wetland conservation and management by providing information to as many people as possible, in particular political decision makers and the general public, in line with the MedWet strategic vision. The MWO catalyzes the efforts of a number of partners committed to this vision, including the Plan Bleu, UNEP-WCMC, Wetlands International, EKBY and many others.www.tourduvalat.org/en/mediterranean-wetlands/mwo [3]

 

MedWet – The Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative

Established in 1991, the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) brings together 27 Mediterranean and peri-Mediterranean countries that are Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), Palestine and a number of organizations and wetland centres. The MedWet Mission is to ensure and support the effective conservation of the functions and values of Mediterranean wetlands and the sustainable use of their resources and services. www.medwet.org [4]

 

Tour du Valat

Tour du Valat is a research institute for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands created more than 60 years ago by Luc Hoffmann. It has since then developed its research activities for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands with the constant desire to achieve a better understanding for better management. Convinced that it will only be possible to preserve wetlands if human activities and the protection of the natural heritage can be reconciled, Tour du Valat has for many years been developing programmes of research and integrated management that favour interchanges between wetland users and scientists, and promote wetland benefits to decision makers. www.tourduvalat.org [5]

 

Contacts

Follow us on Twitter @TourduValat @MedWetOrg @OffYourMap

#MEDWetlandsOutlook2 #OffYourMap #LifeBeginsInWetlands #RamsarCOP13 #MedAgora