'Water and wetlands in the Mediterranean', Agadir, Morocco
6 February 2012 - 6 February 2012
Morocco
A workshop entitled 'Water and wetlands in the Mediterranean' will take place from 6 to 8 February 2012 in Agadir, Morocco.
The Mediterranean region is unique due to its very specific climate and long history of human use. With the advent of industrialisation, intensive agriculture, urbanisation, population pressures and legitimate health considerations, many wetlands were destroyed. During the twentieth century, the estimated loss of wetlands was as high as 50%. Many of the remaining wetlands have seen change and their natural roles have been reduced substantially.
The event programme will focus on six themes:
- water resources management in order to optimise wetland services (wetlands in the water cycle, pollution, allocation of water and irrigation, hydroelectric energy);
- adaptation to climate change and the role of wetland services (including those that help reduce desertification);
- maintaining wetland services and ecosystem health despite increasing human pressures (demography and urbanisation, tourism, land use changes, major infrastructures), with a focus on coastal areas;
- the cultural heritage of wetlands and their value for Mediterranean societies (seascapes and landscapes, archaeology, traditional practices, sacred sites, secular social events, eco and cultural tourism);
- achieving sustainable and long-term use of wetland natural resources in sectors such as agriculture, stock breeding, fishing, aquaculture, salt extraction and building materials;
- values of the biodiversity dependent on wetland ecosystems (including direct services to humanity, science and education).For further information, please visit: http://agadir2012.medwet.org/(opens in new window)
The Mediterranean region is unique due to its very specific climate and long history of human use. With the advent of industrialisation, intensive agriculture, urbanisation, population pressures and legitimate health considerations, many wetlands were destroyed. During the twentieth century, the estimated loss of wetlands was as high as 50%. Many of the remaining wetlands have seen change and their natural roles have been reduced substantially.
The event programme will focus on six themes:
- water resources management in order to optimise wetland services (wetlands in the water cycle, pollution, allocation of water and irrigation, hydroelectric energy);
- adaptation to climate change and the role of wetland services (including those that help reduce desertification);
- maintaining wetland services and ecosystem health despite increasing human pressures (demography and urbanisation, tourism, land use changes, major infrastructures), with a focus on coastal areas;
- the cultural heritage of wetlands and their value for Mediterranean societies (seascapes and landscapes, archaeology, traditional practices, sacred sites, secular social events, eco and cultural tourism);
- achieving sustainable and long-term use of wetland natural resources in sectors such as agriculture, stock breeding, fishing, aquaculture, salt extraction and building materials;
- values of the biodiversity dependent on wetland ecosystems (including direct services to humanity, science and education).For further information, please visit: http://agadir2012.medwet.org/(opens in new window)