Use of voluntary environmental contracts for wetland governance in the European Mediterranean region
Lisa Ernoul
A I , Pablo Vera B , Giancarlo Gusmaroli C , Serena Muccitelli D , Carolina Pozzi E , Stefano Magaudda F , Katarina Polajnar Horvat G , Aleš Smrekar G , Alessio Satta H and Flavio Monti H
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Le Sambuc, F-13200 Arles, France.
B SEO/BirdLife, Sociedad Española de Ornitología, c/Tavernes Blanques 29, bajo, E-46120 Alboraia, Valencia, Spain.
C Italian Centre for River Restoration, viale Garibaldi, 44, I-30174 Venice, Italy.
D Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, Largo Giovanni Battista Marzi, 10, I-00153, Roma, Italy.
E Aquaprogram, Via Luca Della Robbia, 48, I-36100 Vicenza, Italy.
F Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Edile e Ambientale (DICEA), Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana, 18, I-00184 Rome, Italy.
G Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Novi trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
H MedWet, the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative, Le Sambuc, F-13200 Arles, France.
I Corresponding author: Email: ernoul@tourduvalat.org
Marine and Freshwater Research 73(10) 1166-1173 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF21109
Submitted: 20 April 2021 Accepted: 3 October 2021 Published: 21 October 2021
Abstract
Ramsar sites are internationally protected wetlands designated to maintain an international network for biodiversity conservation and sustain human life. There are often conflicting interests for site management that lead to decisions based on sectoral policies or local approaches that have poor outcomes in terms of effectiveness and trade-offs. The European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires European countries to foster an integrated approach for wetland management through collaborative governance processes. The environmental contract is a tool that has been developed and implemented to set the ground for voluntary-based commitments for the sustainable governance of water systems. This paper reports on the results of the first study investigating the implementation of voluntary environmental contracts at the Mediterranean European level. Our results indicate that Ramsar sites in the region have made great progress with the development of management plans, yet many sites still lack governance schemes involving stakeholders. Voluntary environmental contracts have been widely used in Ramsar sites in France and Italy, but only a few other European countries have started implementing them. We have identified the need to further adapt the tool to local and national contexts, as well as the need for legislation, to promote upscaling at the regional scale.
Keywords: governance, participative processes, Ramsar sites, stakeholder engagement.
References
Almond, R. E. A., Grooten, M., and Petersen, T. (2020). Living Planet Report 2020: bending the curve of biodiversity loss. Available at https://edepot.wur.nl/531235 [Verified 23 September 2021].Amano, T., Székely, T., Sandel, B., Nagy, S., Mundkur, T., Langendoen, T., Blanco, D., Soykan, C. U., and Sutherland, W. J. (2018). Successful conservation of global waterbird populations depends on effective governance. Nature 553, 199–202.
| Successful conservation of global waterbird populations depends on effective governance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29258291PubMed |
Anderies, J. M., Folke, C., Walker, B., and Ostrom, E. (2013). Aligning key concepts for global change policy: robustness, resilience, and sustainability. Ecology and Society 18, art8.
| Aligning key concepts for global change policy: robustness, resilience, and sustainability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boelens, R., Hoogesteger, J., Swyngedouw, E., Vos, J., and Wester, P. (2016). Hydrosocial territories: a political ecology perspective. Water International 41, 1–14.
| Hydrosocial territories: a political ecology perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Day, J. C. (2017). Effective public participation is fundamental for marine conservation – lessons from a large-scale MPA. Coastal Management 45, 470–486.
| Effective public participation is fundamental for marine conservation – lessons from a large-scale MPA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ernoul, L., and Wardell-Johnson, A. (2013). Governance in integrated coastal zone management: a social networks analysis of cross-scale collaboration. Environmental Conservation 40, 231–240.
| Governance in integrated coastal zone management: a social networks analysis of cross-scale collaboration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ernoul, L., and Wardell–Johnson, A. (2015). Environmental discourses: understanding the implications on ICZM protocol implementation in two Mediterranean deltas. Ocean and Coastal Management 103, 97–108.
| Environmental discourses: understanding the implications on ICZM protocol implementation in two Mediterranean deltas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Finlayson, C. M., and Gardner, R. C. (2021). Ten key issues from the Global Wetland Outlook for decision makers. Marine and Freshwater Research 72, 301–310.
| Ten key issues from the Global Wetland Outlook for decision makers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Finlayson, C. M., and Spiers, A. G. (Eds) (1999). Global review of wetland resources and priorities for wetland inventory. Supervising scientist report 144, Supervising Scientist, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Gaget, E., Pavón-Jordán, D., Johnston, A., Lehikoinen, A., Hochachka, W. M., Sandercock, B. K., Soultan, A., Azafzaf, H., Bendjedda, N., Bino, T., Božič, L., Clausen, P., Dakki, M., Devos, K., Domsa, C., Encarnação, V., Erciyas-Yavuz, K., Faragó, S., Frost, T., Gaudard, C., Gosztonyi, L., Haas, F., Hornman, M., Langendoen, T., Ieronymidou, C., Kostyushin, V. A., Lewis, L. J., Lorentsen, S.-H., Luigujõe, L., Meissner, W., Mikuska, T., Molina, B., Musilová, Z., Natykanets, V., Paquet, J.-Y., Petkov, N., Portolou, D., Ridzoň, J., Sayoud, S., Šćiban, M., Sniauksta, L., Stīpniece, A., Strebel, N., Teufelbauer, N., Topić, G., Uzunova, D., Vizi, A., Wahl, J., Zenatello, M., and Brommer, J. E. (2021). Benefits of protected areas for nonbreeding waterbirds adjusting their distributions under climate warming. Conservation Biology 35, 834–845.
| Benefits of protected areas for nonbreeding waterbirds adjusting their distributions under climate warming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 33009673PubMed |
Galewski, T., Segura, L., Biquet, J., Saccon, E., and Boutry, N. (2021 ). Living Mediterranean Report – Monitoring species trends to secure one of the major biodiversity hotspots. (Tour du Valat: Arles, France.) Available at https://tourduvalat.org/en/download/33465/
Geijzendorffer, I. R., Beltrame, C., Chazee, L., Gaget, E., Galewski, T., Guelmami, A., Perennou, C., Popoff, N., Guerra, C. A., Leberger, R., Jalbert, J., and Grillas, P. (2019). A more effective Ramsar Convention for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7, 21.
| A more effective Ramsar Convention for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gusmaroli, G., Dodaro, G., Schipani, I., Muccitelli, S., Pozzi, C., Muela Tudela, T., Guerrero, I., Formosa, N., Refalo, G., Vantaggiato, P., Platinetti, V., Pagano, R., Mendoza, A., Catita, A., Smrekar, A., Polajnar Horvat, K., Sancho, J., Sanchez, A., Vera, P., Giménez, M., Ernoul, L., Alberti, F., and Perin, C. (2020 ). Towards a common methodology for implementing wetland contracts – principles, guidelines and best practices. (European Union.) Available at https://wetnet.interreg-med.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Sites/Biodiversity_Protection/Projects/WETNET/WETNET_D.4.1.1_methodology_for_implementing_WC_with_annexes.pdf [Verified 29 January 2021].
Hulshof, M., and Vos, J. (2016). Diverging realities: how framing, values and water management are interwoven in the Albufera de Valencia wetland in Spain. Water International 41, 107–124.
| Diverging realities: how framing, values and water management are interwoven in the Albufera de Valencia wetland in Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jager, N., Challies, E., Kochskämper, E., Newig, J., Benson, D., Blackstock, K., Collins, K., Ernst, A., Evers, M., Feichtinger, J., Fritsch, O., Gooch, G., Grund, W., Hedelin, B., Hernández-Mora, N., Hüesker, F., Huitema, D., Irvine, K., Klinke, A., Lange, L., Loupsans, D., Lubell, M., Maganda, C., Matczak, P., Parés, M., Saarikoski, H., Slavíková, L., Van der Arend, S., and Von Korff, Y. (2016). Transforming European water governance? Participation and river basin management under the EU Water Framework Directive in 13 member states. Water 8, 156.
| Transforming European water governance? Participation and river basin management under the EU Water Framework Directive in 13 member states.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magaudda, S., D’Ascanio, R., Muccitelli, S., and Palazzo, A. L. (2020). ‘Greening’ green infrastructure. Good Italian practices for enhancing green infrastructure through the Common Agricultural Policy. Sustainability 12, 2301.
| ‘Greening’ green infrastructure. Good Italian practices for enhancing green infrastructure through the Common Agricultural Policy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maxwell, S. L., Cazalis, V., Dudley, N., Hoffmann, M., Rodrigues, A. S. L., Stolton, S., Visconti, P., Woodley, S., Kingston, N., Lewis, E., Maron, M., Strassburg, B. B. N., Wenger, A., Jonas, H. D., Venter, O., and Watson, J. E. M. (2020). Area-based conservation in the twenty-first century. Nature 586, 217–227.
| Area-based conservation in the twenty-first century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 33028996PubMed |
Mediterranean Wetland Observatory (2014). Land cover: spatial dynamics in Mediterranean coastal wetlands from 1975 to 2005. Thematic collection 2. (Tour du Valat.) Available at http://www.tourduvalat.org/en/actualites/publications/mwo_report_land_cover_spatial_dynamics_mediterranean_coastal_wetlands_1975
Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (2018). Mediterranean Wetlands Outlook 2: Solutions for sustainable Mediterranean Wetlands. (Tour du Valat.) Available at https://tourduvalat.org/en/actions/les-zones-humides-mediterraneennes-enjeux-et-perspectives-2-solutions-pour-des-zones-humides-mediterraneennes-durables/
Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (2015). Modelli e strumenti di gestione e conservazione delle risorse idriche: sistemi naturali di ritenzione idrica, ricarica artificiale delle falde e processi partecipativi. Studio di settore svolto e pubblicato nell’ambito del FSE 2007–2013 – PON GAS (Programma Operativo Nazionale “Governance e Azione di Sistema”). (MATTM: Rome, Italy.)
Nared, J., and Bole, D. (Eds) (2020). ‘Participatory Research and Planning in Practice.’ The Urban Book Series. (Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland.)
| Crossref |
Palazzo, A. L., Muccitelli, S., D’Ascanio, R., Pozzi, C., and Magaudda, S. (Eds) (2021). Environmental contracts in marine protected areas: methodology and pilot cases from TUNE UP. In ‘leNote di U3’, vol. 3. (UrbanisticaTre.) Available at https://issuu.com/urbanisticatre/docs/nu3_03_tuneup_issuu
Perennou, C., Gaget, E., Galewski, T., Geijzendorffer, I., and Guelmami, A. (2020 ). Evolution of wetlands in Mediterranean region. In ‘Water Resources in the Mediterranean Region’. pp. 297–320. (Elsevier.)
| Crossref |
Pineschi, G., and Gusmaroli, G. (2015). Gestione partecipata con i Contratti di Fiume. Ecoscienza 2015, 91–92.
Polajnar Horvat, K., and Smrekar, A. (2021). The wetland contract as a tool for successful wetland governance: a case study of Ljubljansko Barje Nature Park, Slovenia. Sustainability 13, 425.
| The wetland contract as a tool for successful wetland governance: a case study of Ljubljansko Barje Nature Park, Slovenia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Prada, O. (2017). Informe del 5° Inventario de Iniciativas de Custodia del Territorio en Espana. Plataforma de Custodia del Territorio de la Fundacion Biodiversidad, Ministerio para la Transicion Ecologica, Spain.
Quer, B., Asensio, N., and Codina, J. (2012). Study of the development and implementation of land stewardship in the Mediterranean Arc and Europe. (LANDLIFE: Madrid, Spain.) Available at http://www.ictib.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/b1.-comparative-study.pdf
Ramsar Convention Secretariat (2010). ‘Managing Wetlands: Frameworks for Managing Wetlands of International Importance and Other Wetland Sites’, 4th edn. Ramsar handbooks for the wise use of wetlands. (Ramsar Convention Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland.)
Scaduto, M. L. (2016). River contracts and integrated water management in Europe. UNIPA Springer Series. (Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland.)
| Crossref |
Shine, C. (1996). Private or voluntary systems of natural habitats’ protection and management. Nature and Environment series number 85. (Council of Europe: Strasbourg, France.)
Shipman, B., Rajković, Z., PAP/RAC, Prem, M., Marković, M., Scoullos, M., Gallon, S., Tvaradze, S., Satta, A., and Monti, F. (2019). The governance of coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean – a handbook. (Priority Action Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC): Split, Croatia.) Available at https://medwet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ENGLISH-Mediterranean-Coastal-Wetlands-Governance-Handbook.pdf
Taylor, N. G., Grillas, P., Al Hreisha, H., Balkız, Ö., Borie, M., Boutron, O., Catita, A., Champagnon, J., Cherif, S., Çiçek, K., Costa, L. T., Dakki, M., Fois, M., Galewski, T., Galli, A., Georgiadis, N. M., Green, A. J., Hermoso, V., Kapedani, R., Lange, M. A., Mateljak, Z., Osta, M., Papastergiadou, E., Papazoglou, C., Sabater, S., Samraoui, B., Samraoui, F., Bachir, A. S., Tankovic, E., Thévenet, M., Troya, A., and Sutherland, W. J. (2021). The future for Mediterranean wetlands: 50 key issues and 50 important conservation research questions. Regional Environmental Change 21, 33.
| The future for Mediterranean wetlands: 50 key issues and 50 important conservation research questions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 33776560PubMed |
Warner, J. F. (2006). More sustainable participation? Multi-stakeholder platforms for integrated catchment management. International Journal of Water Resources Development 22, 15–35.
| More sustainable participation? Multi-stakeholder platforms for integrated catchment management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wenger, E. (1999). ‘Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Xu, T., Weng, B., Yan, D., Wang, K., Li, X., Bi, W., Li, M., Cheng, X., and Liu, Y. (2019). Wetlands of international importance: status, threats, and future protection. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, 1818.
| Wetlands of international importance: status, threats, and future protection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
