Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector
International portal
 

Project MedWet information and knowledge network for the sustainable development of wetland ecosystems

Four Mediterranean based organisations active in science based wetland management that form part of the MedWet network will exchange knowledge with Estonia based Tartu University to build on and advance existing  methods for inventorying wetlands. Their collaboration will result in an innovative web-hosted tool providing easy to use information on the location, ecological characteristics and socio-economic importance of water related ecosystems.
 
Designed to assist towards reporting against the European Water Framework Directive  as well as the Directive for the protection of sensitive Habitats the project will contribute to facilitating improved wetland management in line with goals adopted by European Union member countries.

Remote Sensing and Satellite Imaging will be among the new features to be incorporated into the inventorying tool.  Data on the location and surface area of wetland systems will be derived from satellite images in Serbia and Cyprus will be processed and stored on the internet hosted tool. Additionally data on wetland inventories from another four Mediterranean countries will be organised, customized and stored on the tool as a start up basis of information to assist towards monitoring and reporting on the state of Mediterranean wetlands.

Training offered to local and regional authorities in the Mediterranean basin will aim to disseminate information on the new tool and encourage its use.

Project number n/a
Subject(s) METHTODOLOGY - STATISTICS - DECISION AID , NATURAL MEDIUM , POLICY-WATER POLICY AND WATER MANAGEMENT , PREVENTION AND NUISANCES POLLUTION , RIGHT
Acronym CODDE
Geographical coverage Greece, France, Portugal, Italy, Estonia, Serbia, Cyprus
Budget (in €) 1461075
Programme Community Initiative INTERREG III C Sud Programme
Web site http://www.medwet.org/medwetnew/en/03.PROJECTS/03.proj_02codde02.html
Objectives * Exchange of current knowledge and expertise on methods of inventorying and monitoring wetland ecosystems with a view to revising MedWet Inventory tools (updating them with new fact sheets and novel tools) in line with new EU regulations and incorporating new Earth Observation technologies

* Create mechanisms for exchange of data encouraging participation of states, exchange of data protocols and for the development of tools such as online information systems

* Encourage stakeholders and decision makers to respond to needs and utilize opportunities provided within a network in order to develop inventories and monitor wetland ecosystems within the context of sustainable development

Results

Anticipated Results:


* A key tool for the management and sustainable development of wetland ecosystems is to be developed through collaboration of a large number of experts who will hold 10 regional workshops

*Through use of the new tool by the posting online of related methodology and data bank open to all interested parties

*Strengthened exchange of knowledge, information and best practices among a network of experts to be accomplished through collaboration of experts on development and implementation of such tools

*Convene meetings involving a total of 100 regional decision makers over four workshops in order to disseminate the tools and sensitize the public to the benefits of the methodology

Actions / Activities     


* Revising of the MedWet Inventory to add new data records on water quality, socio-economic and cultural aspects and on indicators regarding status and tendencies as well as to incorporate new Earth Observation tools to monitor environmental variables

*Create mechanisms of electronic dissemination of information and communication ensuring information security *Establish the development of an online information system aimed at encouraging the participation of European organisations active in this field and acting as a web-bank of inventory data

*Disseminate information on the use and benefits of the tools to encourage their adoption for the management and sustainable development of wetland ecosystems and support their adoption by decision makers

Period [01/01/2005 - 31/12/2007]

Funding sources

  • European Union, Funding Instrument: ERDF
    European Union, Funding Instrument: ERDF, Community Initiative INTERREG III C Sud Programme
    Source European Union, Funding Instrument: ERDF
    Programme European Union, Funding Instrument: ERDF, Community Initiative INTERREG III C Sud Programme
    Type
    Funding rate 75

Field sites

  • Pilot sites
    The different tools developed by the project are tested in a number of sites. The revised inventory datasheets and the online database are tested in s'Albufera de Mallorca, Balearic Islands and Camargue, France. Pilot projects on wetland identification using remote sensing tools are carried out in Serbia and Cyprus.
    Country Serbia, Cyprus, Spain, France
    Location Albufera de Mallorca, Balearic Islands and Camargue, France, and Serbia and Cyprus
PDF