Coastal wetlands in Oristano have been central to Sardinia’s economy and culture for hundreds of years. A rich heritage developed on the back of the agriculture and fishing that supported the population, two activities particularly suited to the fertile soils, clean waterways and fish-filled coasts around Oristano. Natural wetland processes provided clean water for locals and protected them from floods and storm surges, while creating ideal conditions for biodiversity to flourish. 

Over the years, however, Oristano’s wetlands have been severely degraded. This has led to blocked and polluted waterways, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss and erosion; while increasing saltwater intrusion is inevitable as global heating drives increased coastal flooding. A coordinated response is needed: we’re working with local communities to enhance their wetland environment to a point where it can once more provide the resources to guarantee new, sustainable livelihoods – as well as some protection against climate change.

This why the Maristanis project was launched. It is an international cooperation project that aims at defining an integrated management model for the coastal wetlands of the Gulf of Oristano; cofunded by the MAVA Foundation and coordinated by the MEDSEA Foundation in collaboration with the Marine Protected Area “Sinis Peninsula – Mal di Ventre island”.