Embracing Cultural Heritage for Mediterranean Wetlands Restoration

1. Culture and Mediterranean wetlands: Using cultural values ​​for wetland restorationCulture et zones humides Méditerranéennes: Utilisation des valeurs culturelles pour la restauration des zones humides IriniLyratzaki– StefanosDodouras ilyratzaki@med-ina.org sdodouras@med-ina.org

2. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean Sustainable use of natural resources: beneficial for nature and people Conventional conservation: • mono-disciplinary approaches • exclusion of humans and traditional activities • lack of support by local communities

3. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean Med-INA vision: Culture, an essential part of any integrated approach towards sustainable wetland management 2004-2007: Investigation and analysis of cultural aspects of Mediterranean wetlands 2007-2011: Cultural aspects of Mediterranean wetlands project • Action for culture in • Mediterranean wetlands • Ramsar Guidance on Culture and Wetlands • Culture and wetlands • in the Mediterranean: • an evolving story

4. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean 2011-13: Project ‘Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean: Using cultural heritage aspects for wetland restoration actions’ • cultural aspects for more effective nature conservation actions • 3 Mediterranean pilot sites (Lake Karla, Greece – Larnaka Salt Lakes, Cyprus – Tunis Lake, Tunisia) • MedWet: valuable partner

5. Pilot sites Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean

6. Larnaka Salt Lakes - Cyprus Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean

7. Larnaka Salt Lakes - Natural aspects Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean Artemiasalina– Brine Shrimp Halophytic vegetation The Tekke forest

8. Larnaka Salt Lakes- Cultural aspects Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • Important archaeological sites • Statue from temple of Artemis Paralia (by the sea) • Salt-harvesting heritage and wealth • HalaSoultanTekkeshrine Prehistoric settlement Traditional salt-harvesting HalaSultanTekkeshrine

9. Larnaka Salt Lakes- Threats Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • eutrophication • urban pressures • pollution • waste dumping Management body: Committee for the protection of the LarnakaSalt Lakes - represented by all local stakeholders

10. Larnaka Salt Lakes- Restoration actions Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • More efficient protection: • directing visitors to the site from areas of great visitation organising promotional activities (i.e. in Larnaka airport, Larnakaport, environmental centre) • establishing more solid synergies • rising public awareness

11. Lake Karla Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean

12. Lake Karla – Natural aspects Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean Before its drainage…. The re-flooded lake… …re-emergence of waterfowl and vegetation …after its drainage

13. Lake Karla – Cultural aspects Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • Rich cultural heritage since the Paleolithic Era • Significant fishermen culture • Hunters’ paradise • Supported the entire Thessaly Plain with fish during WWII • Loss of traditional way of life after drainage

14. Lake Karla – Threats Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • Absence of water quality mechanisms • Absence of alternative and sustainable agriculture • Entering of untreated water from upstream • Lake Management Authority highly dependent on the financial and political situation of the country

15. Lake Karla – Restoration actions Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • Local stakeholders: work together-adopt holistic approaches • Walking guide – put Karla back on the map so as to: • Create opportunities for leisure and recreation • Enhance the area’s biodiversity and image • Initiate education programmes • Rise public awareness • Participation in the international project ‘Sigma for Water’

16. Lake Tunis - Tunisia Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean

17. Lake Tunis - Natural aspects Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • Divided into North and South Lakes • Large number of bird species • Support extended commercial fisheries North and South Lakes and the canal Vegetation around ChiklyFort

18. Lake Tunis– Cultural aspects Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean Rich cultural heritage since antiquity • Fort on the island of Chikly Medina of Tunis

19. Lake Tunis – Threats Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • The site was severely compromised in the 20thcentury (due to eutrophication - domestic wastewater - industrial run-off poor drainage - population growth- urban development) • Large clean-up operation improved water circulation • shores reclaimed – city expanded – habitat destroyed • water quality improved – lake’s ecological functions recovered

20. Lake Tunis – Restoration actions Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean • Centre for Ecological and Cultural Interpretation of Lake Tunis • communicating to the public: • its significance, • its ecological fragility and • the need for their protection • Med-INA supports: • completion of studies • establishment of a legal and institutional framework

21. Epilogue Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean The way forwardfor the 3 sites: Promotion of bottom-up and holistic approaches contributing directly or indirectly to the promotion of sites’: • values • tourism • education • research • awareness raising Integrating natural and cultural heritage aspects into wetland management: a more sustainable future for the environment and people.

22. Thank you