This book is the result of a four-year research project (2007-2011) carried out by Med-INA, the Mediterranean Institute on Nature and Anthropos with the financial support of the MAVA Foundation.

The project concerned mainly the implementation in the Mediterranean Region of the Ramsar Guidance on Culture and Wetlands, disseminated in late 2008. Analysing various sectors of human activities and more than 20 wetland sites, the book investigates the benefits that can result from following the objectives and actions proposed by the Ramsar Guidance.