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Management and Protection of Mediterranean Groundwater-Related Coastal Wetlands and their Services

In the framework of the GEF/UNEP-MAP Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem, UNESCO-IHP executed a component on “Management of coastal aquifers and groundwater”, which included an activity on “Implementation of eco-hydrogeology applications for management and protection of coastal wetlands”. The aim of the activity was to reverse degradation trends in coastal aquifers and groundwater-related coastal wetlands and enhance human wellbeing, namely by providing appropriate capacities for the integration of an ecosystem services approach into groundwater and wetlands assessment and management. To this end, UNESCO-IHP sought the cooperation of experts in order to design and carry out actions aiming to generate a new conceptual framework integrating hydrogeological, ecosystem, and management considerations in the management of Mediterranean groundwater-related coastal wetlands. Among key actions, a background document was prepared, detailing the basic aspects to be considered for an improved management of Mediterranean groundwater-related coastal wetlands through the assessment of the interlinkages between groundwater ows, wetlands services, and human wellbeing.The present document sets forth the conceptual and empirical aspects that must be examined and followed to better understand the relationships between groundwater-related wetlands, geology, hydrology, and services to human well-being. It also presents methods for inventorying the basic information needed to characterize wetlands and aquifer functioning and to assess wetlands’ contribution to human well- being. Finally, it proposes guidelines and recommendations for the evaluation and integrated management of Mediterranean groundwater-related coastal wetlands in order to preserve the sustaining role of groundwater in relation the many environmental services that wetlands provide.

Mediterranean coastal wetland, management, protection

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