A new publication by the Mediterranean Institute o­n Nature and Anthropos/ Med-INA has been released. Presenting a great deal of valuable information o­n cultural values and wetlands the publication aims to encourage taking into account of cultural values in the management of wetlands.

The book presents information o­n  culture-related activities relating to 22  wetland sites in the Mediterranean. Well illustrated the book provides up-to-date documentation of characteristic o­n-going cultural activities related to the Mediterranean wetlands, examining at the same time their significance for the management and protection of these sensitive ecosystems.
A main conclusion of this  work is that nature and culture are two interdependent elements and therefore “we cannot understand and manage the ‘natural’ environment unless we understand the human culture that shaped it”. Thus, the values resulting from cultural activities are important in strengthening the links of people with wetlands, which are a prerequisite for wetland conservation and for the sustainable use of their resources and services.

Among others the book informs about the work undertaken in the field of cultural values of wetlands within MedWet and within the Ramsar Convention o­n wetlands.

The publication is available from Med-INA at afoutri@med-ina.org

Reference
Papayannis, T. (2008), Action for culture in Mediterranean Wetlands, Med-INA, Athens, Greece

You can download the publication available in English and in French at this address

Updated on 5/27/2008 3:19:45 PM.