During three days, 150 researchers and managers from all over France gathered in Arles, in the Camargue, one of the country’s most iconic wetlands. Their goal: to strengthen the links between research and wetlands management in order to better preserve these essential environments.
As climate and biodiversity crises are intensifying, wetlands play key roles : water management, food security, climate change mitigation, ‘One Health’ approach, and Nature-Based Solutions.
The National Research-Management Forum on Wetlands took place in this context, from 19 to 21 November 2025. Hosted by LUMA Arles, this event brought together scientists, managers, local authorities and institutions around three goals:
creating strong synergies between research and management;
The first day was dedicated to field visits to the Verdier Marshes, the Camargue National Nature Reserve and the Tour du Valat Regional Nature Reserve, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the specific characteristics of the Camargue region.
The following two days, organised at LUMA Arles, consisted on collective intelligence sessions led by Atout Diversité ans focusing on a central question: ‘How can synergies between research and management support the preservation and restoration of wetlands while responding to major societal challenges?’
Six key themes were explored:
Coherence of public policies impacting wetlands
Climate change: mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation of management
Implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach in wetland management
Technological innovation for wetland management: promises and limitations
How to accelerate implementation and fund Nature-based Solutions?
Compatibility and synergy between economic sectors and wetland protection: the example of agriculture
This Forum provided an opportunity to share the latest scientific knowledge, gain a better understanding of the needs and constraints faced by managers, and foster concrete collaborations between researchers, field workers and institutional partners. The work that emerged from these days will result in a roadmap for the next 10 years, which will be shared in early 2026.
This event was organised by the Tour du Valat, as part of the Wetlands Resource Centre run by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), and in partnership with the Ministry for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature.
COP24Med – Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook 3: a science-policy interface tool to guide decisions
The 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP24) is being held from 2 to 5 December 2025 in Cairo (Egypt). On this occasion, the Tour du Valat and MedWet are organising a side event to present the key findings of the third Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook 3 (MWO-3) and its recommendations for coastal wetlands.
Gediz Delta, Turkey
Mediterranean coastal wetlands are essential but threatened ecosystems
Mediterranean coastal wetlands (lagoons, coastal marshes, deltas, estuaries and seagrass beds) are vital habitats for both marine and coastal ecosystems. In addition to their biodiversity, they filter and purify water, sequester significant amounts of carbon and greenhouse gases, and protect the coastline from erosion, flooding and storms.
Despite their importance, Mediterranean coastal wetlands are among the most threatened habitats in the region. They are facin a ‘coastal squeeze’ that could result in the loss of 69 to 92% of coastal marshes by 2100. If urgent action is not taken, that loss could threaten the livelihoods and safety of coastal communities.
In the context of current environmental crises – climate change, water scarcity and biodiversity loss – these wetlands are Nature-Based Solutions, essential for supporting both ecosystems and local human activities: it is therefore urgent to ensure their conservation and restoration.
Produced by the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO), MWO-3 (2025) is the most recent and comprehensive scientific assessment of the state of Mediterranean wetlands. It combines ecological data, socio-economic analyses and recommendations for decision-makers, providing a decision-making tool for governments, local authorities and other stakeholders.
The MWO-3 is based on a structured analysis using 18 DPSIR indicators (Drivers – Pressures – State – Impacts – Responses), developed by the MWO[1] in close collaboration with a large network of scientific and technical partners from the 28 member countries of the Ramsar MedWet Regional Initiative and beyond. This tool allows the analyse the dynamics at work: drivers of change such as demographics and climate; pressures on wetlands (artificialisation, pollution, water abstraction); assessment of their ecological status; observation of the impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services; as well as the responses implemented at different scales.
The side event held during COP24 showcased the main conclusions of MWO-3, shared recommendations for strengthening wetland protection, and facilitated dialogue between scientists, policymakers and managers to promote the implementation of science-based solutions.
In addition, MedWet and the Tour du Valat proposed recommendations on coastal wetlands from MWO-3, notably by sharing their policy brief with participants.
This policy brief identifies several key levers to protect coastal wetlands:
Align effective wetland management with their legal protection status
Through this side event, Medwet and the Tour du Valat aim to highlight how science can promote effective policy-making, encourage cross-border cooperation and accelerate the protection and restoration of coastal wetlands, which form the basis of Mediterranean resilience.
COP24 of the Barcelona Convention
COP24 is the most important regional event for decision-making and protection of the marine and coastal environment of the Mediterranean. This meeting will bring together national authorities from Mediterranean countries and the European Union, as well as local and regional governments, international and regional organisations, scientists and technical experts, non-governmental organisations, representatives of the private marine and coastal sectors, and civil society organisations.
Discussions will focus on how sea-related economic activities, such as tourism, maritime transport, fishing and coastal development can continue to grow while preserving marine ecosystems and strengthening resilience to climate change.
THREE QUESTIONS FOR… Constance Audiffren, Marine Environment Protection Officer – Wind Power & Industry at the OFB (French Biodiversity Agency)
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Constance Audiffren, project manager for ‘Marine Environment Protection – Wind Power & Industry’ at the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), Mediterranean Coast Delegation, PACA-Corsica Interregional Directorate, answers our questions about the OFB’s involvement in the Migralion project.
1) What is the OFB’s role in the Migralion project (and in relation to wind turbine projects?)
The OFB is the project manager for the Migralion contract and co-finances part of it alongside the ministries of biodiversity and energy and the Sud and Occitanie Regions. Within the Migralion programme, the OFB occupies a strategic coordination position. It acts as a cross-functional interface between all the members of the scientific and technical consortium, on the one hand, and the government departments with which it collaborates extensively, on the other. This steering role enables the OFB to maintain an overall vision that brings together the scientific, technical, and institutional dimensions of the project.
In concrete terms, supported by the Migralion steering committee, the Mediterranean coast delegation is in charge of several operational tasks: reviewing and validating deliverables, receiving and organising the data collected, and all administrative and financial monitoring of the project. Although the latter is quite tedious, it is an essential part of the steering process and remains indispensable to ensuring the programme runs smoothly.
However, the OFB does not participate in political decisions such as offshore wind farm planning. Its involvement is limited to advising government departments, particularly for new projects. This advisory role comes into play specifically when projects concern areas with specific environmental issues, such as Natura 2000 sites or any other marine protected area. In any case, the OFB’s expertise relates exclusively to issues linked to biodiversity protection.
2) What do you think makes the Migralion programme innovative?
The Migralion project is innovative in several ways:
A significant data acquisition effort, both in terms of time, with three continuous years of collection, and space, thanks to a sampling plan designed to cover a large part of the Gulf of Lion, from the coastal strip to areas further offshore.
Technological diversity combining several approaches: telemetry, acoustic tracking, sea campaigns using on-board radars, coastal radars, etc. The technical resources put in place are substantial, which is a strength. Regarding telemetry, although the methodology has already been established, the project stands out for equipping species that had never been tracked in this way before, such as the Collared Pratincole, the Black-winged Stilt, the Kentish Plover, and the Yellow Wagtail.
The major innovation lies in the ultimate goal: to bring together these highly heterogeneous data sets—whether in terms of the type of information collected, their technical specificities, or the acquisition methodologies—to develop models capable of analyzing this wide range of data and formulating coherent conclusions. In my opinion, the Migralion programme should be given a prize for this highly innovative approach!
3) What lessons can be learned after four years of the project? What is the next step?
The first striking element remains the structural organization of the project, with a scientific consortium whose strength and diversity are a real asset. The variety of partners involved—ornithological associations, the Institute for Energy Transition, academic researchers, consulting firms—has generated a particularly fruitful dynamic that has been felt throughout these four years. In addition, the complementarity of their expertise represents real added value and a formula that has proven its worth.
The conclusions of the Migralion project are unprecedented information of which we can be very proud! Never before have such resources been deployed on such a large scale. Migralion has answered the scientific questions we were raising: preferred migration routes are emerging and differ depending on the period before or after breeding. The seabirds tracked as part of this study occupy a large area of the Gulf during the wintering period. The flight heights of the tagged birds indicate that half of them fly at heights within the range of wind turbine blades. All these elements will inform future decisions. However, questions remain, and the programme’s assessment highlights the importance of continuing to acquire knowledge, which is essential for informed management. We have also conveyed the message that it is necessary to continue this approach to fill the remaining gaps, particularly with regard to small migrants such as passerines, which represent a very significant proportion of the recorded migratory flows.
Other wind energy projects in which the OFB is involved:
MODELCET MED Model 7 Mediterranean, launched in September 2024 for a period of three years. This program is funded by the National Offshore Wind Observatory and led by the Mediterranean Coastal Delegation. This predictive modeling project aims to map the use of space by cetaceans in the Mediterranean and identify the functional areas of these species, using an approach similar to Migralion, which focuses on the Gulf of Lion. Unlike Migralion, this programme does not involve the acquisition of new data but relies on the collection of existing data. A promising collaboration is currently being finalized with several Italian institutes that have a developed monitoring network. The diversity of data sources—whether opportunistic or scientific—will feed into the development of mathematical models capable of processing these heterogeneous datasets using a variety of methodologies
Migratlane: the Atlantic extension inspired by Migralion. Launched in 2023 and funded by the French National Offshore Wind Observatory, Migratlane has a larger budget than Migralion (around €10 million) due to its extended spatial coverage of the Atlantic coastline, the English Channel, and the North Sea. This project is, in a way, Migralion’s “big sibling”, its design stemming directly from the same methodology, which confirms the innovative nature of the initial approach. The objectives are identical to those of Migralion, with several years of data acquisition still to come. Migratlane will provide new information on species that have been very poorly documented until now, such as the recent discovery of the migratory route of bats between Calais and England.
How do seabirds and migratory birds use the Gulf of Lion? Migralion programme results
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On November 6, 2025, the Migralion programme (2021-2025), a study of how seabirds and land birds use the Gulf of Lion, made a public presentation of its findings. This event gave the Tour du Valat an opportunity to showcase the results of this programme in which it is involved.
Initiated by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and the French government, this project was made possible thanks to €4.2 million in co-financing from the French government and the Sud and Occitanie regions. Faced with a critical lack of data on seabirds and migratory birds, particularly in the Gulf of Lion, and the urgent need to acquire accurate knowledge about these species, a consortium of scientists associated with a research consultancy, coordinated by the OFB, was formed in 2021 to develop the Migralion programme. Their approach is based on using various complementary technologies and monitoring methods, for an integrated and optimised methodological approach.
The Gulf of Lion: A key bird migration route impacted by offshore wind farms
The Gulf of Lion, the French part of the Mediterranean Sea stretching from Cap de Creus in Spain to Cap Sicié in Toulon, is a wide, shallow continental shelf, a rare configuration in the Mediterranean.
This area has been under increasing anthropogenic pressure for several decades. Seabirds and migratory birds face multiple threats there, including disturbance of resting and feeding areas by maritime traffic and tourism, changes in environmental conditions and migratory routes linked to climate change, direct mortality due to bycatch and plastic ingested by birds. In addition to these already existing pressures, offshore wind farms are now being developed, a source of direct mortality through collision with blades and indirect impacts through the displacement of bird activity areas, which can lead to additional energy costs for flight and the loss of functional habitats.
France is stepping up the development of offshore wind energy, with several pilot projects and commercial farms being built. It aims to produce 18 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2035 and 45 gigawatts by 2050, with a significant amount in the Mediterranean.
In this context, plans for floating wind farms in the Mediterranean raise questions about the potential impact of this kind of infrastructure on birds. The Migralion programme addresses this issue by analysing how birds use this marine space, which is essential for the ecological and sustainable development of these future sites.
.Video presenting the project:
A range of complementary methodologies to provide knowledge about the flying fauna in the Gulf of Lion
The Migralion programme aimed to fill gaps in knowledge about flying fauna in the marine environment of the Gulf of Lion, including seabirds, migratory land birds flying over marine areas, and bats.
Today, no technology can collect all the information needed to accurately describe the use of the Gulf of Lion by birdlife in four dimensions (longitude, latitude, altitude, and time) across an area as large as the Gulf of Lion. As a result, several complementary data collection methodologies have been developed: telemetric tracking (equipping birds with GPS tags to determine flight paths and altitudes), radar tracking along the French Mediterranean coastline to collect data on flight altitudes along the coast, and tracking at sea using boat transects, which combines direct observations and on-board radar.
Significant work has been carried out to combine the datasets collected in integrated models that can robustly describe the migration of terrestrial birdlife and how marine birdlife uses space in the Gulf of Lion.
The Tour du Valat has been significantly involved in acquiring telemetry data alongside the CEFE/CNRS and the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN).
A wide range of bird sizes were tagged, from 12g Common Redstarts to Greater Flamingos weighing over 4kg, to gain knowledge about how the most representative possible sample of migratory and seabirds cross the Mediterranean Sea. In parallel with the telemetry work, the Tour du Valat monitored the analysis of the results and participated in project communication activities.
295 bird species were recorded as regularly or occasionally visiting the Gulf of Lion. Over the course of the programme, 10 sea campaigns with radars and observers on board were conducted; 40,000 hours of data were recorded by coastal radars; 824 individuals from 40 different bird species were fitted with GPS or GLS tags (for the smallest species). The results obtained are unique, and models have been developed to best answer the following questions:
How do seabirds use Gulf of Lion marine space?
The use of the Gulf of Lion was mapped for seven species of seabirds during the breeding season and eleven species during the winter (details of the results here).
Overview maps of the vulnerability of the seabirds monitored reveal that the areas of highest wind farm risk are mainly concentrated near the coast during the breeding season. Outside the breeding season, additional risk areas appear further offshore, particularly to the west of the Gulf (see map below).
Although these vulnerability maps provide an initial overview covering a significant proportion of the species most regularly observed in the area, they do not allow for a comprehensive assessment of the sensitivity of all marine bird species found in the Gulf of Lion.
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Map showing the vulnerability of seabirds to wind farm projects in the Gulf of Lion outside the breeding season, with associated uncertainty measurement (bottom right). Based on modeling of data acquired between 2022 and 2024.
Green areas: pilot wind farms (EFGL = Leucate-Le Barcarès, EOLMED = Gruissan, PGL = Faraman-Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône)
Hatched areas: allocated farms (Nar: Narbonnaise 1, GdF: Golfe de Fos 1) and call for projects (extensions of Narbonnaise 2 and Golfe de Fos 2)
Dotted areas: priority areas selected for a call for projects (GLC) and for the next 10 years (GLE)
Dotted area: area selected for 2050 (GLO)
Which areas have the most intense flows of migratory birds within the Gulf of Lion?
Combining data from onboard radar during sea campaigns and GPS tracking data from 458 large terrestrial migratory birds, the spatial model used for migratory flows reveals that in the autumn migratory intensity is mainly concentrated near the coast, in the western half of the Gulf of Lion.
In this area, there is a large migratory route that starts in the Camargue and runs along the coast to the Spanish border. To a lesser extent, secondary flows cross the Gulf from the Camargue due south towards the sea, as well as areas used in a strip of sea to the east towards Sardinia and Tunisia.
These maps show the relative migratory intensity in the Gulf of Lion of migratory birds during the pre-breeding season (January–June) and post-breeding season (July–December), based on a model that combines:
– GPS locations of large birds (>75g)
– Echoes recorded at night by vertical radar during boat transects
The thumbnail at the bottom right indicates the levels of uncertainty (coefficient of variation) associated with the model predictions for each grid cell: the higher the value, the more uncertain the prediction.
Spring migration has similar characteristics to autumn migration, but with a more coastal flow and maximum migration intensities in the western part of the Gulf of Lion.
These results show a significant overlap, particularly during the pre-breeding migration season, between areas of high migration intensity and those being considered for the construction of offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Lion.
How high do land migrants fly when crossing the Gulf of Lion?
Combined data from coastal radars and GPS beacons reveal little seasonal variation in flight height distribution (median of 150 m in autumn, 157 m in spring). A significant proportion (51% of predicted flight heights) of flights take place at altitudes within the reach of wind turbine blades (below 300 meters). For small birds such as passerines, the data collected is limited, but 10 of the 28 crossings (36%) took place at a median altitude of less than 500 meters above sea level.
What conclusions can be drawn about the development of offshore wind farms?
The Migralion programme has significantly enriched our knowledge of how birds use the Gulf of Lion. In the context of the development of wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea, the results reveal a marked vulnerability of seabirds and migratory species, which frequently fly near wind turbine blades. Spatial data on the flight altitude of large birds confirm the risks of direct (collisions) and indirect (avoidance) interactions with future offshore wind projects.
Although further studies could refine these observations for specific species, the challenge now lies in quantifying actual mortality and assessing its effects on bird population dynamics.
The Ministerial Decree of October 18, 2024, resulting from the public debate about the sea, defined priority areas for floating wind farms in the Mediterranean over the next 10 years and in 2050, without waiting for the Migralion results.
Scientists at the Tour du Valat recommend three principles:
Prioritize energy efficiency, because any development project has an impact on biodiversity.
Replace fossil fuels with renewable energies rather than combining them,
Finally, rigorously apply the AVC (Avoid-Reduce-Compensate) system in the development of wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea, incorporating the Migralion findings. In particular, to limit biodiversity loss, the areas identified as at risk by the programme must be avoided.
Acquire new data to better understand cumulative impacts
Seabirds and long-distance terrestrial migrants, which are species with long life expectancies, are particularly vulnerable to offshore wind turbines: any increase in mortality can have a significant impact on their populations. Whereas small species have faster population dynamics, migrants have been in decline across the board for several decades.
Direct measurement of collisions at sea remains complex, as carcasses generally fall into the water, but studies in the North Sea suggest that this is potentially a significant phenomenon. There is an urgent need to better predict the impacts of collisions with or avoidance of wind turbines on population dynamics. However, modeling demographic impacts on migratory species is currently a methodological challenge, particularly when it comes to assigning mortalities to their populations of origin.
Furthermore, the simultaneous impacts of offshore wind turbines, industrial fishing, maritime traffic, light and plastic pollution, and the effects of climate change create a complex environmental context in which disturbances do not necessarily add up but can interact and amplify their effects. Understanding these cumulative impacts is a major challenge for bird conservation, but also an essential step in ensuring the sustainable development of marine energy, based on a detailed understanding of the ecological dynamics at the marine ecosystem level.
Final word:
Thanks to the MIGRALION project, which has mobilized numerous teams including that of the Tour du Valat, we are beginning to understand the mysteries of bird migration between Europe and Africa. The government and operators of future offshore wind projects must take account of the valuable data produced. – Jean Jalbert
Main members and organisations in the MIGRALION consortium: CEFE/CNRS, MNHN, Biotope, France Energies Marines, Pôle Mer Méditerranée
Numerous collaborators and partners contributed to the successful completion of this programme. The significant telemetry data collected would not have been possible without the dedication of the bird ringers, their assistants, and the volunteers who accompanied them, the organizations and site managers who hosted these operations, and many other project partners:
SMCG, Friends of the Vigueirat Marshes, Vigueirat Marshes Reserve, COGARD, Grand site Salagou – Cirque de Mourèze, A. Rocha, League for the Protection of Birds, Groupe Salins, Roussillon Ornithological Group, Monticola, Aude Nature, Med Migration, CEN PACA, CEN Occitanie, Coussouls de Crau National Reserve, Camargue Regional Natural Park, French coastal protection agency, Calanques National Park, Port-Cros National Park, Swiss Ornithological Station.
RESTORE4Cs Autumn School 2025: Science, Policy and Practice for Coastal Wetland Restoration
From 3 to 6 November 2025, the RESTORE4CS Autumn School took place in Malaga (Spain). This event brought together scientists, policymakers, managers and restoration stakeholders with a common goal: to promote the restoration of coastal areas and wetlands in Europe in order to improve climate resilience.
The RESTORE4Cs Autumn School: four days of discussion and training
This autumn school brought together participants from across Europe, as well as Algeria, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, for four intensive days of training and discussion.
The programme was marked by several highlights:
Scientific and technical sessions: Experts shared their latest work on greenhouse gas (GHG) flows, wetland ecosystem modelling, the development of monitoring indicators, as well as wetland mapping and monitoring methodologies: all essential scientific foundations for an effective restoration.
Practical demonstrations: participants could discover and test the RESTORE4Cs Online Platform and Toolbox. Designed to facilitate decision-making on wetland restoration, these tools were shared during interactive sessions, allowing the gathering of valuable feedback for their finalisation.
Dialogue between science and policy: the last day was entirely devoted to a meeting between the scientific community and policymakers. It ended with an open discussion between the institutional actors present and the researchers, with the goal of promoting the restoration and conservation of coastal wetlands in Europe as concrete solutions for mitigating the effects of climate change.
The core of the RESTORE4Cs project is a digital Platform dedicated to European wetlands and coastal areas. Designed to support decision-making, this digital tool aims to assist public authorities, managers and civil society actors in their efforts to identify wetlands in need of restoration and define the actions required.
More than a data repository, the RESTORE4Cs Toolbox and Online Platform will enable users to:
Prioritise coastal wetlands for restoration based on multiple criteria (level of degradation, ecological relevance, potential ecosystem service contributions, etc.)
Assess their conservation status
Help meet key policy frameworks at the European level (Nature Restoration Regulation, European directives, etc.)
Developed in collaboration with future users, based on their needs and feedback, these tools draw on the results of the various components of the RESTORE4Cs project. By supporting the various stakeholders in the preservation and restoration of coastal wetlands, its objective is to enhance the services that these wetlands provide to society in the fight against climate change.
RESTORE4Cs: European coordination for the preservation of coastal wetlands
The RESTORE4Cs project is funded by the Horizon Europe programme. It addresses a major environmental challenge: enhancing and optimising the role of European coastal wetlands in mitigating the effects of climate change. Capable of trapping carbon and greenhouse gases, and vital to the water cycle and the biodiversity, these ecosystems are among the richest and most productive on the planet, yet also among the most threatened.
Through a network of European partners, RESTORE4Cs aims to produce robust scientific knowledge and operational tools for more effective management and wider restoration of these environments. The success of this training session shows that, together, we can develop the knowledge, community and momentum needed for the proper management and restoration of wetlands across Europe.
Learn more about the project:
Don’t miss the release of the ‘Wetlands in Action’ podcast series!
Available on 18 November 2025, it will be showcased during the Water Resilience Forum, at the European Commission, on 8 December 2025.
The Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (MWN) releases its new 2019–2023 technical reports
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The Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (MWN/ROEM) supports and coordinates waterbird counts across the Mediterranean basin. Created in 2012 as part of the AEWA African Initiative, it was initially developed with five North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt), in partnership with Tour du Valat and the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), to improve the quantity and quality of these surveys.
Since 2017, the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (MWN/ROEM)[5] has expanded to include other Mediterranean countries, fostering scientific and technical exchanges and collaborations. Among these countries, the most significant partnerships are with Albania, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Portugal, and Turkey.
This year, thirteen of these countries have renewed their collaboration to prepare national technical reports, as well as a general overview of the status of waterbird counts (DIOE).
You can download the reports below: the Mediterranean summary report compiling technical reports from the 15 countries of the network on the status of waterbird counts (2019–2023), along with 13 country chapters.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized as effective approaches to address environmental and societal challenges. By working with nature, these solutions help protect biodiversity, reduce climate-related risks, and improve human well-being. In the Mediterranean, where pressures such as urbanization, pollution, and biodiversity loss are particularly high, NbS offer a powerful way to restore balance between people and ecosystems while promoting sustainable development.
In collaboration with Tour du Valat[15], the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium[16] (MBC), and the Rest-Coast project[17], published a new literature review, “Nature-based Solutions in the Mediterranean Region: A look back and moving forward “, in the Journal for Nature Conservation. The study analyses scientific articles, policy papers, and guidelines to understand how NbS are applied across the Mediterranean and identifies the recommendations from these experiences.
It highlights that interdisciplinary collaboration, participatory approaches, and strong governance frameworks are crucial for effective implementation. The research also emphasizes the need for political commitment, adapted funding mechanisms, and better communication to make NbS more impactful and inclusive.
The Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium and Nature-based Solutions
The MBC is actively advancing the use of NbS through the RESCOM project, its first major regional initiative. RESCOM focuses on enhancing the social and ecological resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems by implementing NbS in nine pilot sites[18] across Albania, Egypt, Italy, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
Through these pilot initiatives and related activities, the MBC works with local partners to demonstrate tangible restoration efforts, strengthen the capacity of managers and local stakeholders, and support small-scale NbS projects through dedicated grants. On a regional level, it also facilitates knowledge sharing. Together, these activities make NbS a cornerstone of the MBC’s mission to protect and restore Mediterranean biodiversity.
Article abstract
Urbanization and agricultural intensification have an important impact on biodiversity around the Mediterranean basin. One response has been the take-up of the concept of Nature-based Solutions, notably promoted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Although the term is widely employed, there is great discrepancy in the definition, use, and intended biodiversity and/or societal impacts. We conducted a literature review on the state of the art of Nature-based Solutions in the Mediterranean basin, identifying the obstacles concerning their implementation and highlighting recommendations for overcoming these difficulties. The study analysed over 200 documents including scientific articles, guidelines and policy documents. Recommendations were grouped into categories (Governance, Funding, Integration, and Technical aspects) and key messages were identified. The results showed that interdisciplinarity and participative practices are essential and that systematic and political changes are needed. Selecting and adapting Nature-based Solutions to fit specific social and ecological contexts and responding to trade-offs and inequalities were highlighted as prerequisites. Public communication and funding schemes were also important levers for improving implementation. The results show that although Mediterranean-specific NbS remain an emerging topic in scientific literature, a broad range of other types of documents, including international academic articles, can be useful for local practitioners.
Citation:
Ernoul, B. Hetherington, Nature-based Solutions in the Mediterranean Region: A look back and moving forward, Journal for Nature Conservation (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127109[19]
Bird conservation threatened by shifting baseline syndromee
New research shows that populations of dozens of waterbird and seabird species have been declining for much longer than previously thought in Europe. The article “Shifting the baseline for waterbird and seabird conservation in Europe, risk assessment over one century” demonstrates that ignoring population trends over the last century leads to setting under ambitious goals for restoring biodiversity.
In Europe, major bird conservation and monitoring efforts were launched in the 1970s in response to the degradation of their habitats and populations. Monitoring species provides highly accurate information on the current conservation status of their populations. But ignoring what preceded these monitoring efforts potentially leads to underestimating the true extent of the declines.
A study conducted by the Tour du Valat (France) and the University of Turku (Finland), published in Biodiversity and Conservation, analyzed more than a century of data (1900–2018) on 170 species of waterbirds and seabirds. Its conclusions are clear: ignoring historical declines shifts the baseline for at least 40% of the species assessed. The researchers show that using the 1970s as a baseline tends to normalize an already severely degraded state. “Restoring bird populations to their 1970s levels is not enough: their decline began long before that,” warns Thomas Galewski (Research Director at the Tour du Valat). Restoration policies should therefore be based on a perspective of at least a century in order to be truly ambitious.
Even more worrying is the fact that some species have been in continuous decline for over a century. This is the case for the Black Tern and the Corncrake.
“These species should be placed as a priority for conservation efforts,” warns Élie Gaget (Tour du Valat), lead author of the study.
Since the 1970s, international conventions and European directives have been adopted to protect birds and habitats. However, the results remain insufficient: 61 out of 170 species continue to decline. The causes—destruction of wetlands, intensification of agricultural practices, overfishing, pollution, illegal or unsustainable hunting—remain powerful and insufficiently controlled. Climate change is exacerbating existing pressures and disrupting ecological balances.
The Greater Flamingo, which had almost disappeared from Western Europe in the 1960s, has spectacularly recolonized the Mediterranean basin thanks to the protection of its breeding sites, first in the Camargue, then in other wetlands in Spain, Italy, and Turkey. After decades of persecution that had almost wiped it out, the Great Cormorant has once again become a common bird on our coasts and wetlands. But these conservation successes should not obscure the reality: many species have lost a large part of their historical range, and some have never recovered their early 20th-century numbers.
“Long-term monitoring, such as censuses, is our best weapon against the shifting baseline syndrome. Without collective memory, we risk normalizing an already impoverished world,” concludes Thomas Galewski.
Reference
Gaget, E., Brommer, J.E., Galewski, T. (2025). Shifting the baseline for waterbird and seabird conservation in Europe, risk assessment over one century. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-025-03155-1[20]
The IUCN Congress has voted in favor of Motion 130, “Strengthening restrictions against unsustainable tourism infrastructure”. Upfront the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, members overwhelmingly approved Motion 130 with more than 98% of votes, calling for stronger restrictions on unsustainable tourism infrastructure in IUCN Category I and II protected areas.
Vjosa-Narta lagoon
This motion was initiated by PPNEA (Albania) and co-sponsored by 14 partner organizations from 13 countries, including EuroNatur, BirdLife International, Tour du Valat, Wetlands International, and others. What started as a call from a small country like Albania, against the controversial amendments to the Law on Protected Areas (Law No. 21/2024), has now grown into a global achievement for conservation. Together, we reaffirmed a simple principle: protected areas are for conservation, not massive development, including for mass tourism.
The adoption of Law No. 21/2024 in Albania, defended under the false narrative of “following IUCN criteria,” opened the door for tourism complexes, airports, and energy facilities even in national parks. This dangerous precedent prompted the development of Motion 130 to ensure governments worldwide cannot use similar loopholes to justify the destruction of nature under the guise of tourism. The motion specifically urges the Albanian government to reinstate restrictions on heavy infrastructure development within protected areas.
From Albania’s coastal wetlands and aged sand dunes of Vjosa–Narta, where luxury resorts and airports are planned, to similar struggles across the globe, Motion 130 is now a strong international reminder to governments that tourism is no excuse to destroy protected areas.
But while the vote is a major success, the work is not over. Without immediate action, the Albanian government may continue to pursue destructive projects in national parks, ignoring both European requirements and IUCN’s global stance.
New staff for the agroecology programme at the Tour du Valat
Two new recruits have joined the Tour du Valat team working on its agroecological farm: Katrina Müller, an oenologist, and Mario Bourcin, who is responsible for the commercial development of our products.
In June, we welcomed Katrina Müller, who brings her expertise in wine production. She is assisting with the preparation of the 2025 vintages and the restructuring of our range, in order to showcase the work carried out on our agroecological vineyards.
In September, Mario Bourcin joined the team to support the commercial development of our products. His main mission is to strengthen and expand our network of partners and retailers in order to promote our products to a wider audience, while highlighting their agroecological dimension and their support for wetland conservation.
Their arrival will contribute to giving even greater quality, visibility and recognition to Tour du Valat products, which are the result of farming practices that combine expertise, innovation and respect for biodiversity.
Mediterranean wetlands: responses to ongoing crises
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Six years after the previous report, and at a time when the Mediterranean basin is the focus of many of the tensions affecting the planet, the third regional report of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO-3) has just been published. Discover the main conclusions of this report, the result of intensive analysis led by Tour du Valat.
A threatened but essential heritage
Mediterranean wetlands, with their wide variety of habitats (see diagram below), are among the most valuable and threatened ecosystems in the region. They regulate the water cycle, filter pollution, are home to exceptional biodiversity, protect coastlines from storms, and store significant amounts of carbon. However, their gradual and often silent disappearance is jeopardizing these vital services.
Percentages of wetland areas, excluding watercourses, in the Mediterranean basin (MWO-3)
The third regional report of the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO-3), coordinated by Tour du Valat as part of the Ramsar Convention’s MedWet Initiative, paints an alarming picture. More than half of historic wetlands have disappeared. Urbanization, agricultural intensification, overexploitation of water, and climate change are putting increasing pressure on these environments. However, the report also emphasizes a message of hope: far from being merely victims of our activities, wetlands are essential allies in the face of major crises in the Mediterranean.
A groundbreaking scientific diagnosis
The MWO-3 is based on an in-depth analysis conducted across 28 countries, using 18 indicators that provide information on the social and economic dynamics that can impact wetlands, the direct pressures they face, their condition, but also the services they provide and society’s responses to preserve them (DPSIR Drivers – Pressures – State – Impacts – Responses conceptual framework).
The results are striking. Since 1990, 12% of the surface area of natural Mediterranean wetlands has decreased. Forty percent of the species dependent on these environments are now in a worrying state of conservation, due in particular to climate change, among other factors. At the same time, pressures are accelerating with urbanization, which has increased by 44% around wetlands since 2000, while agricultural land occupies more than 30% of their functional space. The fragmentation of waterways has reached a critical level, with 95% of the length of major rivers affected by infrastructure. Nevertheless, the report also reveals some positive signs: the population of wintering waterbirds has increased by 43% since 1995, demonstrating that targeted conservation policies can bear fruit.
Distribution of species vulnerable to climate change. MW03
Multiple factors, visible impacts
Three main factors explain the vulnerability of Mediterranean wetlands. The first is demographic: nearly 400 million people live in close proximity to a wetland, with a density four times higher than the regional average in the Mediterranean. This proximity leads to increased demand for water, agricultural land, and infrastructure.
The second factor relates to significant disparities in governance between countries. Some have robust tools, such as the European Water Framework Directive or networks of protected areas, which enable them to regulate land use and preserve part of their ecosystems. Others, however, lack the institutional, financial, or political resources to manage these areas, leading to their rapid degradation.
Finally, climate change acts as a catalyst. The Mediterranean basin is warming 20% faster than the global average (MedECC, 2022). Droughts are becoming longer, heat waves are increasing, floods are becoming more frequent and intense, and rising average sea levels are directly threatening coastal wetlands. By 2100, 69 to 92% of coastal marshes could disappear if the current trajectory continues without major change.
Answers exist
Faced with these threats, the report emphasizes that it is still possible to take action. Today, 36% of wetland habitats benefit from some form of protection, although only 7% have a high level of protection. The opportunities for restoration are considerable: nearly 88,000 km² of lost wetlands could be rehabilitated in the northern Mediterranean countries with moderate efforts, such as restoring former agricultural land to wetland habitats. Modernizing irrigation systems would reduce water withdrawals by 35%, thereby relieving pressure on the most fragile ecosystems.
Beyond the figures, the report highlights concrete initiatives. In Tunisia, the ongoing rehabilitation of the Dar Fatma peatlands will restore a unique habitat while involving local communities in its management. In Turkey, integrated delta management projects are helping to preserve ecological continuity and support traditional activities. In Spain, the restoration of coastal wetlands around Valencia illustrates the concrete benefits that these environments can bring when they are put back at the heart of the land. The rehabilitation of the Albufera has improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity and, above all, increased the city’s resilience to flooding and heat waves. These actions show that investing in restoration means both protecting nature and providing essential services to populations.
Towards a new pact between societies and Mediterranean wetlands
The report’s conclusion is clear: protecting and restoring wetlands is not just an ecological issue, it is a necessity for the future of Mediterranean societies. These environments must be recognized as solutions to the climate, water, and social crises facing the region.
This third installment calls for a new pact between societies and wetlands, based on better land-use planning, inclusive governance, and targeted investments in restoration. It invites governments, scientists, NGOs, and citizens to join forces so that wetlands are no longer perceived as marginal spaces but, on the contrary, become pillars of resilience and sustainability for Mediterranean societies.
Fader, M., Giupponi, C., Burak, S., Dakhlaoui, H., Koutroulis, A., Lange, M.A., Llasat, M.C., Pulido-Velazquez, D., Sanz-Cobeña, A. (2020) Water. In: Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer W, Guiot J, Marini K (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, pp. 181-236, doi:10.5281/zenodo.7101074.
Galewski, T., Segura, L., Biquet, J., Saccon, E., & Boutry, N. (2021). Living Mediterranean Report—Monitoring species trends to secure one of the major biodiversity hotspots. Tour du Valat.
Geijzendorffer, I.R., Galewski, T., Guelmami, A., Perennou, C., Popoff, N., Grillas, P. (2018). Mediterranean wetlands: a gradient from natural resilience to a fragile social-ecosystem. In: Schröter M, Bonn A, Klotz S, Seppelt R, Baessler C (eds) Atlas of ecosystem services: drivers, risks, and societal responses. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96229-0[25].
Geijzendorffer, I.R., Beltrame, C., Chazée, L., Gaget, E., Galewski, T., Guelmami, A., Perennou, C., Popoff, N., Guerra, C.A., Leberger, R. & Jalbert, J. (2019). A more effective Ramsar Convention for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 7, 21. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00021[26].
Guelmami, A. (2020). Sebkhat Séjoumi et son Bassin Versant (Tunisie) : Un Territoire en Mouvement. Rapport technique. Tour du Valat, CEPF, 54p.
Guelmami, A. (2023). Large-scale mapping of existing and lost wetlands: Earth Observation data and tools to support restoration in the Sebou and Medjerda river basins. Euro‑Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 9(2–3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-023-00443-6[28].
Guelmami, A., Arslan, D. & Ernoul, L. (2023). Assessing the impacts of land use and land cover changes 1984–2020 on wetland habitats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey). Climatic and Environmental Significance of Wetlands: Case Studies from Eurasia and North Africa [Internet]. IGI Global; 2023 [cited 2024 Aug 12]. pp. 12–23. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-9289-2.ch002.
MedECC (2020). Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer, W., Guiot, J., Marini, K. (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, 632pp. ISBN: 978-2-9577416-0-1 / DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7224821.
Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (2012). Mediterranean wetlands outlook 1. Technical report. Tour du Valat, France.
Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (2018). Mediterranean wetlands outlook 2: solutions for sustainable Mediterranean wetlands. Tour du Valat, France.
Leberger, R., Geijzendorffer, I. R., Gaget, E., Guelmami, A., Galewski, T., Pereira, H. M., & Guerra, C. A. (2020). Mediterranean wetland conservation in the context of climate and land cover change. Regional Environmental Change, 20(2), 67.
Plan Bleu (2025). MED 2050, The Mediterranean by 2050, A foresight by Plan Bleu.
Popoff, N., Gaget, E., Béchet, A., Dami, L., Du Rau, P.D., Geijzendorffer, I.R., Guelmami, A., Mondain‑Monval, J.-Y., Perennou, C., Suet, M., Verniest, F., Deschamps, C., Taylor, N.G., Azafzaf, H., Bendjedda, N., Bino, T., Borg, J.J., Božič, L., Dakki, M., Encarnação, V.M.F., et al. (2021). Gap analysis of the Ramsar site network at 50: over 150 important Mediterranean sites for wintering waterbirds omitted. Biodiversity and Conservation, 30, 3067–3085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02236-1[29].
Schuerch, M., Kiesel, J., Boutron, O., Guelmami, A., Wolff, C., Cramer, W., Caiola, N., Ibáñez, C., & Vafeidis, A. T. (2025). Large-scale loss of Mediterranean coastal marshes under rising sea levels by 2100. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), Article 128. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02099-2[30].
Verniest, F., Galewski, T., Boutron, O., Dami, L., Defos du Rau, P., Guelmami, A., Julliard, R., Popoff, N., Suet, M., Willm, L., Abdou, W., Azafzaf, H., Bendjedda, N., Bino, T., Borg, J. J., Božič, L., Dakki, M., Hamoumi, R. E., Encarnação, V., et al. (2024). Exposure of wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to sea-level rise in the Mediterranean. Conservation Biology, 38, e14288. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14288[31].
The IUCN has just released a new publication bringing together 21 case studies from around the world, offering valuable insights into the practical implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). These examples illustrate the application of the new IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and serve as a source of inspiration for other sites where this type of solution could be adopted.
Launched in 2020, the Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions was created to help governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities design, implement, and evaluate projects that use nature to address major societal challenges (climate, biodiversity, food security, water, natural hazards, health, etc.). The case studies cover a wide variety of ecosystems—marine environments, wetlands, terrestrial ecosystems (forests, grasslands, alpine areas), urban environments—as well as two economic initiatives. Together, they offer a rich and varied overview of possible approaches and best practices for implementing NbS on a global scale.
The Lagoons and Marshes on the former Camargue Saltworks site in the spotlight
Among these 21 case studies is a site co-managed by Tour du Valat, the Camargue Regional Nature Park, and the National Society for Nature Protection (SNPN) (case study no. 3): the Lagoons and Marshes on the former Camargue Saltworks site[34]. This site, which consists mainly of former salt marshes, has benefited from this standard self-assessment tool to analyze its compliance with 8 criteria and 28 indicators, and to provide informed feedback.
This case study illustrates the approach implemented for coastal ecological restoration, aimed at improving biodiversity and reducing coastal risks related to erosion and marine submersion. However, coordinating the project remains complex due to the multiplicity of stakeholders, their sensitivities, and the public policies involved. One point that should not be underestimated is that the success of these projects also depends on cooperation between stakeholders and a shared long-term vision, which is essential for meeting the ecological and social challenges of tomorrow.
Publication reference
Thibault M., Poulin B., Segura L., Billé R. (2025). Adaptive management of the lagoons and marshes of the former Camargue saltworks – France. In E. Cohen-Shacham, E. Cabecinha, & A. Andrade (Eds.), Applying the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™: 21 case studies from around the globe (pp. 38–42). Gland, Switzerland.
Initiated by the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and the French government, this project was made possible thanks to €4.2 million in co-financing from the French government and the Sud and Occitanie regions. Faced with a critical lack of data on seabirds and migratory birds, particularly in the Gulf of Lion, and the urgent need to acquire accurate knowledge about these species, a consortium of scientists associated with a research consultancy, coordinated by the OFB, was formed in 2021 to develop the Migralion programme. Their approach is based on using various complementary technologies and monitoring methods, for an integrated and optimised methodological approach.
