Wetlands, lakes and lagoons in Mediterranean coastal regions are of immense importance for people and for biodiversity, yet often the science base needed to manage effectively these multi-purpose resources are inadequate. This conference focuses on the southern Mediterranean region and aims to:
- help reconcile issues of water quality, hydrology, biodiversity (aquatic plants, invertebrates, fish and birds) with food security, public health and cultural needs
- apply historical information, from geo-archaeology to sediment records, to current human activity and water management issues
- consider integrated applications of remote sensing and field data and mechanisms to establish publicly accessible GIS databases
- assist management of wetland, lake and lagoon systems and explore aspects of the EU Water Framework Directive to aid water regulation in the southern Mediterranean