Implementation

Main objectives

• Better understand the vulnerability of the wetland to climate change impact;

• Understand the potential for nature-based interventions and transfer the knowledge to the wetland managers;

• Ensure the economic sectors operate more sustainably in the area;

• Enhance the engagement of relevant stakeholders, by raising awareness about the value of coastal wetlands;

• Support appropriate management, implementing effective governance of coastal wetlands and building the capacity of wetland managers, to address the urgency of financing solutions/actions that limit water abstraction and pollution;

• Support the restoration of the wetland, by improving the water circulation.

Societal challenges

Types of NbS

ER

ICZM

INRM

Types of biomes

F2 – Lakes MT1 – Shoreline

Stakeholders

Setting the context

The city of Ghar El Melh, in the north of Tunisia, has a rich natural and cultural heritage. It is home to the Ghar El Melh Lagoon that provides precious services to the local community, such as artisanal fisheries, farming on the shores of the lagoon and on the floodplains to the north, and tourism activities in the summer season. Due to increasing pressures from human activities within the lagoon, urgent actions are needed to limit the degradation of this fragile ecosystem (IUCN & WWF-NA, 2021).

In light of the impacts of intensive human development exacerbated by climate change, the GEMWET (Conservation and sustainable development of coastal wetlands with high ecological value: project was launched in 2018 by eight partners: WWF North Africa (coordinating partner); Association Amis des Oiseaux (BirdLife Tunisia); Stichting BirdLife Europe; National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia (INAT);