Suchergebnisse

In the present day and age, environmental concerns are no longer merely the domain of academics and policy-makers. Increasingly, societal agendas are changing to include ample discussion of various aspects of the natural world, and of the human species' relation to it. Unfortunately, however, much debate tends to be polarised with, at one extreme, those who expound a bleak scenario and at the other, those who argue that environmental problems are simply in the mind. However, there is also an alternative approach. Upon being asked whether he believed the survival of the human species on planet Earth is threatened, a contemporary statesman from the Mediterranean replied as follows: "I think if there is a Lord in heaven, His main task is balancing opposing forces -danger and hope, life and death - because otherwise the human race would have disappeared a long time ago . ln the annals of humankind, if there is a danger of destruction, there are also forces of maintenance. A fire brigade." [Shimon Peres] This book is intended for various members of the fire brigade - for conservationists, environmental managers, strategic planners and other key actors from different professional and academic disciplines, hailing from different spheres of the socio­political spectrum and from both shores of the Mediterranean. It is a book for all those somehow involved in managing coastal resources in the Mediterranean region and in striving for a sustainable future. In talking of both conflict and harmonisation, we have also tried to balance opposing forces and to overcome divisive dichotomies. Our environmental problems are huge and urgent, and the immensity of the task ahead cannot be downplayed. However, gloom and doom will get us nowhere. The activist is not he who ponders and reflects on the problems we face, but he who tries, to the best of his abilities, to make a difference. There is a wide range of people, from different walks of life, who bring much expertise and enthusiasm to the management of the Mediterranean coastal zone. Our target audience is anyone from this large and diverse team. We have not made any revolutionary proclamations in this book. It is not a treatise about the Mediterranean, nor is it a detailed technical manual about coastal management techniques. There are far more accomplished examples of both. What we have tried to do is make a contribution towards the holistic management of Mediterranean coastal areas. The coast is not merely a biological asset, but is also of crucial social, cultural and economic importance. Furthermore, its management draws on a wide and varying array of techniques and approaches. We have therefore tried to give coastal managers a broad and concise perspective on where we are now, where we are coming from, what our future might look like, and how we might get there. This book is structured in two parts. Part I provides a conceptual background to issues of coastal management, both on a global scale and within the Mediterranean region. It looks at specific techniques and approaches that may, in different ways, play a role in coastal management. The multi-faceted nature of the coast often requires that managers deal with information that may not lie within their particular field of expertise. A basic acquaintance with a variety of approaches can, however, be invaluable in facilitating dialogue. No one technique holds magical answers to our problems. Solutions will only be found through coordination and integration. We hope that this publication will be of utility to those who strive to protect the unique coastal heritage of the Mediterranean Sea. We wish you luck in this noble and necessary endeavour. ; Project part-financed by the European Union Community Initiative Interreg III, Archimed Programme. Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006. ; peer-reviewed

Agricultural land abandonment is a key driver of land use change in Europe. At the same time, urban land cover is expanding rapidly, often resulting in increasingly limited public access to green spaces. Within this context, this exploratory study sought to explore the feasibility of siting community allotment gardens on abandoned agricultural land within the small island state of Malta. Such an initiative could serve a dual purpose, i.e., limiting degradation of abandoned land on the one hand, and providing increased opportunities for community interaction with nature, on the other. Feasibility was explored in three steps, focusing on place, people, and policy, respectively. First, land within the peri-urban regions of three municipalities was identified and evaluated for suitability on the basis of specific criteria adapted for the local context. Second, interviews were employed to explore the views of members of the public and of other relevant stakeholders, and to identify potential coali- tions of support. Finally, existing legal and policy frameworks for land-use planning were evaluated to determine the extent to which they are able to accommodate such land repurposing. Results showed that suitable land is available within all three municipalities considered. Furthermore, there is clear public support for the estab- lishment of such allotments, as well as moderate interest by respondents in participating actively through rental of plots. However, institutional barriers in the policy sphere would need to be addressed. Key recommendations include the creation of a dedicated allotments policy, empowerment of local government authorities, and es- tablishment of collaborative partnerships between governmental and non-governmental actors. Successful im- plementation of such a project would also require better streamlining of land ownership data and an ability to ensure security of tenure. ; peer-reviewed

Several innovative directions for landscape policy development and implementation have emerged over recent years. These include: (i) an expansion of scope to include all landscape aspects and landscape types, (ii) an increased emphasis on public participation, (iii) a focus on designing measures appropriate for different contexts and scales, and (iv) encouraging support for capacity-building. In this paper, we evaluate the extent to which these policy directions are reflected in the practice of academic landscape research. We evaluate all research papers published in three leading landscape journals over six years, as well as published research papers relating directly to the European Landscape Convention. The latter, which was adopted in 2000, establishes a framework for landscape protection, planning and manage- ment in Europe and is to date the only international legal instrument of its kind. Results indicate that whilst policy innovations do not appear to be a major stimulus for academic research, studies never- theless address a range of landscape aspects, types and scales (albeit with a slight bias towards bio-physical landscape aspects). However, geographical representativeness of research is weak and dominated by the United States and northern/western Europe, and research capacity likewise appears to be unevenly distributed. Landscape research is also limited in the extent to which it involves stake- holders or develops innovative methods for doing so, notwithstanding that this remains a key challenge for policy-makers. Results point to the potential for landscape research to address areas (topical and geographical) which have received little attention to date, as well as suggesting mutual benefits of stronger links between policy and academia. ; peer-reviewed

The rhetoric of sustainable development has become a prominent feature of political discourses in recent times, both in the Mediterranean Basin and elsewhere. However, there is much skepticism over actual implementation of sustainable development. Several decision-making tools have been developed to provide a yardstick of the practice of sustainable development. Sustainability indicators are increasingly recognized as an important tool in this regard. The use of indicators to measure the environmental, economic and social facets of sustainable development has fostered an intense debate on what actually constitutes sustainability, and concerning the scales of analysis that we should adopt. Moreover, the use of such indicators highlights the methodological difficulties of measuring quality of life. Quantitative approaches have traditionally been valued for their rigor and amenability to statistical analysis, but several aspects of sustainability are not easily rendered in numerical terms, and hence the development of sustainability indicators often brings together a variety of scientific techniques from both the physical and social sciences. This book brings together a collection of essays recounting experiences with sustainability indicators in a variety of conceptual and geographical contexts. Sustainability indicators can be applied in various ways for different themes, and as is evident from the readings in this book, practices vary widely. Whilst the views of the individual authors may not necessarily find agreement with all readers, this collection is intended to foster critical thinking of the ways in which sustainability indicators have been developed and applied. Such an exercise enables a judicious evaluation of the success of strategies and techniques to date, and the formulation of guidance for desired future developments. ; peer-reviewed

tMalta is a member of the European Union (EU), but faces constraints unique to its status both as a smallisland nation and its geographical location on the periphery of the EU. Several initiatives to developsuites of sustainability indicators (SIs) have been attempted in the Maltese Islands over the past twodecades but there has been little corresponding follow-up to examine the extent to which such SIs areused by practitioners and influence policy. This paper presents an assessment of the use and influence ofSIs in Malta by drawing upon the results of two quite different means of enquiry: (i) a more traditionalapproach in the social sciences using semi-structured and one-to-one interviews conducted with keystakeholders involved with SIs in Malta, and (ii) an innovative participatory approach, called Triple Task(TT) implemented within a workshop context, where stakeholders were placed in teams and asked toexplore the use of SIs. Based upon the results obtained with these two methods of enquiry the paperprovides insights into the problems of adoption of SIs in Malta and makes the case that rather thanbeing seen as mutually exclusive, a combination of the two approaches provides a powerful means oftriangulation to what is a complex set of issues. ; peer-reviewed

Whilst public participation is now accepted as an essential requirement of planning, there is limited literature which considers the effectiveness of participation in practice. In this study, we focus on the perspectives of members of the public and planners/policy-makers in the island state of Malta, to identify (i) expectations of the participation process, (ii) the extent to which practices meet expectations, and (iii) ways in which participation practices could be rendered more effective. Five key areas of concern emerge: (i) lack of influence on decisions, (ii) lack of professional ethics and expertise, (iii) methods and techniques used, (iv) the nature of information provision, and (v) local cultural influences. Results illustrate the inadequacy of present legal requirements for ensuring effective participation, and a related need for institutionalizing review mechanisms. Results also reveal tension between positivist views of planning as an expert discipline, and public expectations of democracy. Furthermore, the study provides wider insights into processes of assessment/evaluation. ; peer-reviewed

Whilst public participation is now accepted as an essential requirement of planning, there is limited literature which considers the effectiveness of participation in practice. In this study we focus on the perspectives of members of the public, and planners and policy makers in the island state of Malta, to identify (i) expectations of the participation process, (ii) the extent to which practices meet expectations, and (iii) ways in which participation practices could be rendered more effective. Five key areas of concern emerge: (a) lack of influence on decisions, (b) lack of professional ethics and expertise, (c) methods and techniques used, (d) the nature of information provision, and (e) local cultural influences. Results illustrate the inadequacy of present legal requirements for ensuring effective participation, and a related need for institutionalizing review mechanisms. Results also reveal tension between positivist views of planning as an expert discipline, and public expectations of democracy. Furthermore, the study provides wider insights into processes of assessment and evaluation.

The coastal zone is a resource under threat. All over the world, coastal areas are amongst the most densely populated areas of the planet, bringing together a variety of often-conflicting land uses, in an area of immense environmental sensitivity. The challenges for the coastal manager are continually becoming more formidable. This training manual has been developed through the ECONET-COHAST project, an initiative of the European Union's Archimed Interreg III programme. It brings together a variety of contributions, outlining various aspects relating to conservation and coastal management, with special reference to the Mediterranean region. It is intended to provide an overview of several aspects of coastal management for various actors involved in the practice of coastal management. The methods and ideas presented in this manual should be considered to be elements in a holistic and integrated toolkit at the disposal of the coastal manager. ; Project part-financed by the European Union Community Initiative Interreg III Archimed programme: Interreg IIIB. Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006. ; peer-reviewed

The Maltese archipelago is located in the central Mediterranean Sea, midway between the European and north African shores. The Islands have a total land area of only 316 km2 , but a substantial human population of 405, 611 (National Statistics Office, 2007) inhabitants is superimposed on this physical canvas. The country's present-day landscapes are a product of many factors, both natural and anthropogenic. Geo-tectonic processes in the Mediterranean Basin over time have shaped the geomorphological expression of Maltese landscapes, and influenced the biotopes and associated ecological diversity which the Islands harbour. However, indisputably the biggest agent shaping Maltese landscapes has been the human species. Malta has a long history of human habitation, dating back some 7500 years. The long and varied history of human habitation is of great relevance in discussing Maltese landscapes. The present-day ecological assemblages which are present, for example, are a direct result of human-related trends. The widespread need for firewood in past centuries led to widespread and extensive deforestation; as a result, there are no forests per se in the Maltese Islands today. Similarly, the introduction of the goat led to widespread grazing, and to alteration of floral assemblages. The introduction of alien species likewise led to landscape-scale visual changes that persist to this day. ; peer-reviewed

In 1993, Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) were initiated at the second Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference, in Lucerne, Switzerland. They were intended to cover the ECE member States that are not members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Subsequently, the ECE Committee on Environmental Policy decided to make them part of its regular programme. Since then, the Ministers affirmed their support for the EPR Programme, and decided in 2003 that the Programme should continue with a second cycle of reviews, and lately they formally endorsed the third cycle of reviews in 2011. Through the peer review process, EPRs also promote dialogue among ECE member States and the harmonization of environmental conditions and policies throughout the region. As a voluntary exercise, an EPR is undertaken only at the request of the country concerned. The studies are carried out by international teams of experts from the region working closely with national experts from the reviewed country. The teams also benefit from close cooperation with other organizations in the United Nations system, for instance the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as with the European Environment Agency (EEA), World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations. In 2010, the Government of Morocco requested ECE to conduct an EPR of Morocco. Although Morocco is not part of the ECE region, the ECE Committee on Environmental Policy agreed to carry out the environmental performance review of this country. This is the first EPR conducted by ECE beyond its region. In this regard, ECE sought the cooperation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which confirmed its willingness to cooperate in the implementation of the EPR process through its Sub-Regional Office for North Africa. This is the EPR of Morocco published by ECE. This EPR also covers 13 issues of importance to the country related to policymaking, planning and implementation, the financing of environmental policies and projects, and the integration of environmental concerns into economic sectors, in particular agriculture, energy, health, industry, biodiversity and protected areas, water and waste management. The Morocco review was notable as it is the first country outside the region to request an EPR from ECE, and the process was undertaken in cooperation with the ECA. I hope that this EPR will be useful in supporting policymakers and representatives of civil society in their efforts to improve environmental management and to further promote sustainable development in Morocco, and that the lessons learned from the peer review process will also benefit other countries of the ECE and ECA regions. ; peer-reviewed

This book presents a series of essays, drawing on the twm concepts of ecosystem management and landscape approaches, to elucidate and reflect on the present situation and future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This publication brings together contributions from Mediterranean individuals, non-Mediterranean individuals, islanders and non-islanders there is, after all, no geographical limit on who and what we can learn from. The essays presented here each contribute a specific perspective on the future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This book presents a series of essays, drawing on the twin concepts of ecosystem management and landscape approaches, to elucidate and reflect on the present situation and future evolution of Mediterranean islands. This publication brings together contributions from Mediterranean individuals, non-Mediterranean individuals, islanders and non-islanders; there is, after all, no geographical limit on who and what we can learn from. The essays presented here each contribute a specific perspective on the future evolution of Mediterranean islands. Following this introductory chapter, the first section of the book focuses on the contributions that can be made by the discipline of landscape ecology. loannis Vogiatzakis and Geoffrey Griffiths first explain the concepts and relevance of landscape ecology, also presenting and discussing a range of applied tools that can facilitate landscape planning in Mediterranean islands. Louis F. Cassar then reviews the 'offshoot' discipline of restoration ecology, making a strong case for offsetting the environmental damage inflicted on natural ecosystems over millennia of human occupation, with constructive efforts to effectively restore and/or rehabilitate ecosystems. The two following chapters bring the socio-economic dimension into the discussion. Godfrey Baldacchino first presents two contrasting paradigms for the development of island territories, reviewing the dual influences of ecological and economic factors, and exploring ways in which the two can be brought together in successful development strategies. Gordon Cordina and Nadia Farrugia then address the demographic dimension of development, presenting a model to explain the economic costs of high population densities on islands. The third block of chapters expands on the relevance of social and cultural dynamics to the management of Mediterranean Islands. Isil Cakcï, Nur Belkayali and Ilkden Tazebay explain the evolution of the concept of a 'cultural landscape', focusing on the challenges of managing change in landscapes with strong heritage values. The chapter concludes with a case study on the Turkish island of Gökçeada (lmbros), which is experiencing major challenges in balancing the conservation of a cultural landscape on the one hand, and the management of inevitable change, on the other. Elisabeth Conrad then discusses the role of social capital in managing the landscape resources of Mediterranean islands, reviewing the potential for this intangible social fabric to facilitate or impede the sustainable evolution of island territories. The fourth section includes four chapters, each of which addresses a different aspect relevant to policy development and implementation in Mediterranean islands. Salvino Busuttil presents an essay outlining the political influences on the management of coastal landscapes, the latter so relevant to Mediterranean island territories. The essay derives from the author's professional experience in various policy-related institutions for environmental management within the Mediterranean region. Maggie Roe then reflects on issues of landscape sustainability, focusing on the neglected aspect of intelligence. She discusses ways in which landscape research, knowledge and understanding can feed directly into frameworks for 'sustainable' landscape planning. In the subsequent chapter, Adrian Phillips takes from his substantial experience with international landscape policy, reviewing the gradual emergence of international and national landscape 'tools', to draw out lessons for application in Mediterranean islands. In the final chapter of this section, Riccardo Priore and Damiano Galla present a comprehensive discussion of the European Landscape Convention, the first international instrument to focus exclusively on landscape. The authors explain the innovative character of this convention, and discuss its potential implementation in Mediterranean islands. The publication concludes with a series of case studies, highlighting specific constraints, experiences and opportunities in different Mediterranean islands. Theano Terkenli explores the landscapes of tourism in Mediterranean islands - perhaps no other industry has played such a fundamental role in shaping the evolution of Mediterranean landscapes in recent years. The author reviews the theoretical relationship between landscape and tourism across Mediterranean islands, before focusing on the specific case of the Greek Cycladic islands. In the following chapter, Alex Camilleri, Isabella Colombini and Lorenzo Chelazzi present an in-depth review of the context and challenges being faced on a number of minor Mediterranean islands, namely those of the Tuscan archipelago (Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Gorgona and Giannutri), and Comino, the latter forming part of the Maltese archipelago. The comparison between these various islands enables an appreciation of both commonalities across these islands, as well as considerations that are specific to the context of each in dividual island. JeremyBoissevain then adopts an anthropological lens to review the cautionary tale of landscape change in Malta, exploring underlying causes of landscape destruction and limited civil engagement. In the subsequent chapter, Jala Makhzoumi outlines the richness of Mediterranean islands' rural landscapes, focusing on olive landscapes in Cyprus. Her research demonstrates the economic and ecological robustness of various olive cultivation practices, and whilst warning of several threats to such sustainable regimes, she outlines strategies for reconfiguring our approach to rural heritage, in order to integrate such assets into sustainable development strategies. Finally, Stephen Morse concludes the section with an evaluation of sustainable development indicators, and the contribution that these can make towards enhancing the management of Mediterranean island territories. He illustrates his arguments with reference to the two island states of Malta and Cyprus. To conclude, in the final chapter of this publication, we review key insights emerging from the various chapters, and summarize considerations for ecosystem management and sustainable development in Mediterranean Islands. We truly hope that this publication makes some contribution towards safeguarding the "magic' of Mediterranean islands, whilst embracing their dynamic characteristics. ; Published under the patronage of UNESCO and with the support of the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO ; peer-reviewed