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

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
: Investigation and analysis of cultural aspects of Mediterranean wetlands
: 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
: 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. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Pilot sites

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

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

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

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

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

11. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Lake Karla

12. Lake Karla – Natural aspects
Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Lake Karla – Natural aspects
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
Lake Karla – Cultural aspects
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. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Lake Karla – Threats
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
Lake Karla – Restoration actions
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. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Lake Tunis - Tunisia

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

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

19. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Lake Tunis – Threats
The site was severely compromised in the 20th century
(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
Lake Tunis – Restoration actions
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. Culture and wetlands in the Mediterranean
Epilogue
The way forward for 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