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

Abstract

Wetlands are critically important for biodiversity and human wellbeing, but face a range of challenges. This is especially true in the Mediterranean region, where wetlands support endemic and threatened species and remain integral to human societies, but have been severely degraded in recent decades. Here, in order to raise awareness of future challenges and opportunities for Mediterranean wetlands, and to inform proactive research and management, we identified (a) 50 key issues that might affect Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050, and (b) 50 important research questions that, if answered, would have the greatest impact on the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050. We gathered ideas through an online survey and review of recent literature. A diverse assessment panel prioritised ideas through an iterative, anonymised, Delphi-like process of scoring, voting and discussion. The prioritised issues included some that are already well known but likely to have a large impact on Mediterranean wetlands in the next 30 years (e.g. the accumulation of dams and reservoirs, plastic pollution and weak governance), and some that are currently overlooked in the context of Mediterranean wetlands (e.g. increasing desalination capacity and development of antimicrobial resistance). Questions largely focused on how best to carry out conservation interventions, or understanding the impacts of threats to inform conservation decision-making. This analysis will support research, policy and practice related to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean, and provides a model for similar analyses elsewhere in the world.

Unexpected Discovery of Thelypteris palustris (Thelypteridaceae) in Sicily (Italy): Morphological, Ecological Analysis and Habitat Characterization

“…Plants characterizing wet environments represent one of the most threatened groups of the Mediterranean flora [59][60][61][62][63][64][65]. For the reasons quoted above, these areas require urgent and effective conservation policies not only to safeguard the biodiversity but also for the important ecosystem services they perform [66]. An example can be our study that illustrates the environmental context of the T. palustris populations and the morphological features of the species.…”

The Role of Organic Fertilizers in Transition to Sustainable Agriculture in the MENA Region

“…Major landscape changes, with loss and deterioration of wetlands [26,106], mean that nutrient flows from agriculture rapidly move on into the oceans, destabilizing ecosystems [107]. Drainage, to claim land for agriculture or other purposes, and extensive irrigation in agriculture cause wetlands to dry [108], while other drivers of wetland loss are urbanisation and surface sealing for road networks, industrial use of water and large dams.…”

“…Both organic fertilizers and other methods of increasing SOM play a role in reclaiming land and Organic Fertilizers combatting desertification [8, 37,59,99,[114][115][116]. Several solutions to the issue of polluted water [26,106] have been suggested, including phytoremediation or the use of agricultural waste to serve as biosorbants [117][118][119].…”

Editorial: Coastal Wetlands Dynamics

“…This Research Topic has collected a holistic set of research studies, providing points of reflection for a comprehensive evaluation of coastal wetlands including geomorphological, hydrological, and ecological viewpoints. Additional research points which are worth exploration include, but are not limited to, an understanding of the connectivity of wetlands with adjacent ecosystems, an exploration of the windows of opportunity for the establishment of coastal wetlands, investigation of the most efficient techniques for monitoring and proper diagnosis (Taylor et al, 2021). Coastal wetlands restoration is being increasingly adopted by countries around the world as a sustainable measure for coastal protection which also supports carbon capture and netzero targets.…”