Sustainable Landscapes and Resilient Ecosystems

Ecosystem Resilience and Spatial Planning

IUCN believes that human well-being is directly related to the presence of healthy ecosystems. The Mediterranean basion region is a great example due to the diversity of habitats and ecosystems and long history of human settlements. The Mediterranean landscape as we know today been shaped and modeled over the centuries as a result of human needs and interactions. Due to this co-evolution, the landscape is influenced by human activity, while Mediterranean cultures have evolved and adapted to the ecosystem services available. 

This historical relationship is now under increasing threat, as pressure over natural resources increases. To address this concern IUCN promotes the management of ecosystems through the application of the Ecosystem Approach.

Current focus priorities  

Protected Areas o   Integration on landscape and policies (connectivity) Promoting connectivity and integration of protected areas in networks, including transboundary Protected Areas o   Sustainable local economies through ecotourism Developing sustainable tourism models providing both indirect and direct positive impact to conservation within and around parks	Photo: iucnmed
Sectors o   Tourism impacts in Coastal areas Reducing tourism pressures within the socio- ecological limits for coastal destinations, managing tourism growth to achieve positive net impact. o   Nature Conservation and Food Production Encouraging practices that maintain sustainable and biodiverse agricultural landscapes and in building bridges between urban and rural landscapes.	Photo: Destimed
Ecosystems Restoration and Nature-Based Solutions o   Supporting the processes of recovery degraded or damaged ecosystem Forest Landscape Restoration, Dunes, and Alfa steppes. o   Nature-based Solutions in cities Promoting the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Mediterranean cities and working with governments, the private sector and the scientific community to raise awareness of the benefits of these types of solutions.	Photo: Adriana Calvo

IUCN-Med is looking for PARTNERSHIPS to build alliances, fund and implement projects on:

• Building the Mediterranean Ecological Network
• Assessing tourism impacts on ecosystem services in coastal areas
• Coastal Area Climate Change Resilience through Nature-based Solutions

For those interested, please contact our focal person Carla.DANELUTTI@iucn.org with the message subject: Partnerships for Ecosystem Resilience and Spatial Planning

Photo: MedArtSal MedArtSal

Photo: LIFE AdaptaMed LIFE AdaptaMed

Photo: Destimed DestiMed PLUS