Mediterranean wetlands: archaeology, ecology, and sustainability

Abstract

We propose a long-term view of the evolution of human-environment interactions within Mediterranean wetlands, from prehistory to the present day, based on available published works. Our aim is to consider the sustainable use of these landscapes, past, present, and future, integrating perspectives from archaeology, ecology, and sustainable development. After briefly introducing the physiographic and ecological processes that characterize Mediterranean wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide to human populations, we consider their significance for three major questions in European archaeology: the Neanderthal extinction and the spread of modern humans, the introduction and spread of agriculture, human environmental impact since the Bronze and Iron ages. We then proceed with historical evidence of intentional transformation of Mediterranean wetlands by means of land reclamation, from the Classical to Medieval periods and into Modern times, before considering the current state of Mediterranean wetlands and the challenges they are facing in the present day. The preservation of wetlands has now become a priority issue at European level and generates concern for local communities and governing bodies, concerning biodiversity, maintenance of key services and cultural preservation. Based on the review of key events in the dynamic relationship between human populations and Mediterranean wetlands, we end by exploring available initiatives, tools and strategies to assess and support their conservation, governance and sustainable development, present and future.

The future for Mediterranean wetlands: 50 key issues and 50 important conservation research questions

“…In the Mediterranean, wetlands include lagoons and salt marshes, freshwater lakes, karstic cave systems, temporary ponds, artificial wetlands such as reservoirs, salinas, fish ponds and rice paddies, small and scattered peatlands, and one of the longest rivers in the world (Balbo et al 2017;Payne 2018). Although wetlands occupy only 2-3% of the land area of the Mediterranean basin (Fig.…”

“…Critically Endangered species include the Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccarii, the Greek red damselfly Pyrrhosoma elisabethae and the beautiful water-starwort Callitriche pulchra (IUCN 2020). Historically, Mediterranean wetlands have been drained or highly sanitised for agricultural use, development of tourist areas and perceived health benefits (Balbo et al 2017;Parrinello and Bécot 2019). Contemporary challenges for Mediterranean wetlands include rapid urbanisation, increased water usage, climate change and land conversion (MWO 2018).…”

Millennial‐scale shifts in microtidal ecosystems during the Holocene: dynamics and drivers of change from the Po Plain coastal record (NE Italy)

“…food availability, freshwater supply, conveyances of goods and people) that have been exploited by humans since prehistorical times (e.g. Balbo et al, 2017), as testified to by the presence of several archaeological sites, particularly along the Mediterranean coasts (e.g. Ghilardi et al, 2017;Giaime et al, 2019;Reimann et al, 2018).…”

Languedoc lagoon environments and man: Building a modern analogue botanical macroremain database for understanding the role of water and edaphology in sedimentation dynamics of archaeobotanical remains at the Roman port of Lattara (Lattes, France)

“…resources such as food and water, easy transportation on boats, buffering of extreme weather conditions, diversity of habitats etc. [1,2]. These in many aspects highly dynamic environments could also severely test the resilience of their inhabitants and lead to a complex entanglement of natural and cultural factors [3][4][5].…”

“…Other problems can arise from this approach, for example anthropogenic changes in the environment (wetlands specifically were strongly affected by humans, e.g. [2]) or the appearance of invasive species in modern analogue samples. The latter can be overcome by the use of ecological groupings instead of individual species as a basis for the evaluation, where less value is attached to unusual species.…”