Management and protection of coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean

UNESCO-IHP organized an experts meeting on the “Management and Protection of Coastal Wetlands” in the Mediterranean on 10-11 June 2013, in Paris. The meeting gathered experts from the twelve participating countries as well as international experts from organizations and projects such as European Space Agency (ESA), Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), El Instituto Geolσgico y Minero de Espaρa (IGME), MedWet, PAP/RAC, and others.

This was the first meeting under the activity related to coastal wetlands. It was an opportunity for  national experts to give a general overview on coastal wetlands dependent on coastal aquifers in their countries. The international experts presented projects and methodologies related to wetlands in the Mediterranean and the services they provide.

During the meeting, selected coastal wetlands were identified as case studies for mapping and more detailed presentation in the regional report.

The activity on coastal wetlands aims to undertake a hydro-geological pre-assessment of the Mediterranean coastal wetlands for groundwater dependence, with identification of current and potential threats, and the scope for hydrological management intervention. it also seeks to develop methodology and guidelines for hydro-geological management of coastal wetlands; with wetland typology and classification for genetic origin, morphology, as i.e. bays, deltas or coastal plains and fluvial activity and functions.

As a result of this work, by June 2014 a regional report including a synthesis of the status of coastal Mediterranean wetlands and the services they provide will be developed with a methodology and guidelines for the hydro-geological management of coastal wetlands and for their characterization and mapping.