“By restoring coastal wetlands, we can protect our people”
The new Tunisian Strategy for Wetlands sets a clear objective: promoting the protection and rational use of wetlands, while restoring the most degraded.
50%
of Mediterranean wetlands have been destroyed in the last 50 years.
150 million
people live in Mediterranean coastal areas.
Why we need to restore our wetlands
“A wetland is distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally. This includes lagoons, marshes, salinas, swamps, etc”
Moreover, wetlands provide key environmental services, such as:
carbon sequestration
water purification
water for agriculture
food production
Preventing floods and sea level rise to protect local economies
In coastal municipalities, wetlands are essential to protect the population against floods, erosion and natural disasters.
The pioneering experience of Ghar el Melh
Ghar El Melh: building resilience in Tunisia’s most precious wetlands
Looking out across Tunisia’s Ghar el Melh lagoon, a Wetland of International Importance, the city of Ghar el Melh embodies a unique natural and cultural heritage. But for the last 10 years, the lagoon has been suffering from intensive development pressures, their impact exacerbated by climate change. Urgent action is needed to save this precious ecosystem and the vital services it provides to local communities.
Discover the achievements of other Mediterranean municipalities
Laguna di Venezia
In Laguna di Venezia, the creation of 220 ha of new wetlands is already mitigating flood risks with increased water storage capacity of some 1,800,000 m3.
…
Camargue
In Camargue, France, a restoration programme has saved public funds of between €13 – €17 million for reconstructing dikes, €7-€24 million for the construction of groins, and at least €800,000 in annual maintenance.
Albufera de Valencia
In Albufera de Valencia, Spain, the economic value of the ecosystem services provided in one restored area has been estimated at more than €20 million.
In the upcoming years, Tunisia will have to identify heavily degraded ecosystems and priority site restoration activities, in line with its Nationally Determined Contributions.
What can you do to restore a wetland in your region?
Do you know of a wetland in your area that could be restored?
In Tunisia, some of these wetlands are waiting to be restored
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Contact the Wetland-based Solutions team
Would you like to know where to start? Our policy expert Marianne Courouble will be pleased to advise you on the first steps to plan your restoration activities.
Wetland-Based Solutions is a free-to-access resource and information platform put together by expert scientists, analysts and specialist organisations to assist decision-makers and managers in protecting and restoring these fragile and yet vital ecosystems