Newsletter # 35 - November 2020 The Mediterranean Wetlands Newsletter | | While nature protection is still perceived by many as a constraint to development, a cost for society, and a luxury for wealthy countries, the concept of “Nature-based Solutions” reverses the approach. Nature becomes an effective ally that is accessible to all, even the most deprived. | | | Sébastien Moncorps is the Director of the IUCN French Committee. He answers questions from the Tour du Valat concerning Nature-based Solutions. | | | | | Discover the animated films resulting from our partnership with the MoPA school in Arles 3 short films were made by students from the MoPA Computer Graphics Animation School in Arles in educational partnership with the Tour du Valat: "Mosquito control and wetland biodiversity", "the European pond turtle: a black box for the environment" and "Antibiotic-resistant bacteria come to life!". | | The difficulties of enforcing the ban on lead shot in the Camargue An article co-written by Anthony Olivier, a ranger at the Tour du Valat National Nature Reserve, Jean-Yves Mondain-Monval, and Olivier Cardoso, was published on the difficulties of enforcing the ban on lead shot among wetland hunters. | | | | | Urbanisation and wetlands: the case of Sebkhet Sejoumi (Tunisia) Sebkhet Sejoumi is a wetland of great ecological value in the middle of an urban area (the South-western suburb of Greater Tunis). Its importance, particularly for migratory waterbirds, has been recognised by the attribution of several international statuses... | | | | | 327 flamingo chicks ringed on the salt marshes of Aigues-Mortes! This year, more than 12,000 flamingo chicks are born. The Tour du Valat, in partnership with the Salins Group, led an exceptional and delicate operation on 5 August : the ringing of 300 chicks with a particular format due to the health situation. | | | | | Confirmation of the presence of the Baillon’s Crake on the Tour du Valat Regional Nature Reserve The Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla) is a small bird of the rallidae family, occupying various marshes with rather low but dense vegetation. Its geographical distribution is quite wide but in France, it is a very rare nesting bird, classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Breeding Birds of France. | | | | | Call to protect the coastal wetlands of the Erimitis peninsula The Mediterranean Alliance for Wetlands urges the government of Greece to protect the coastal wetlands of the Erimitis peninsula and to adopt conservation measures that correspond with international, EU and national law. | | | | | The SoED 2020 : State of Environment and Development in Mediterranean The SoED provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of environment and development interactions in the Mediterranean region. It was prepared by Plan Bleu in the framework of the United Nations Environment Programme -Mediterranean Action Plan. Tour du Valat participated in this report. | | | | | Eurasian Spoonbill migration: we still need your help! You can now participate in this major participatory project started in 2019 by following the movements of Eurasian Spoonbills equipped with GPS tags in real time, observing them in the field, and sending your sighting observations to the Tour du Valat and its Dutch partner. | | | | | Coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean and the climate crisis Fifteen organisations work in partnership since 2017 under the name Off Your Map, to tackle together the issue of coastal wetland conservation in the Mediterranean. They present in a new publication their common groundbreaking work to preserve and restore coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean. | | | | | Gomard Y., Flores O., Vittecoq M., Blanchon T., Toty C., Duron O., Mavingui P., Tortosa P., McCoy K.D. 2020. Changes in Bacterial Diversity, Composition and Interactions During the Development of the Seabird Tick Ornithodoros maritimus (Argasidae). Microbial Ecology | | Mignet F., Barnagaud J.Y., Barthe L., Bertolero A., Bosc V., Escot F., Fleuriau R., Joubert L., Joyeux A., Lerat D., Massez G., Olivier A., Owen-Jones Z., Perrot K., Petit J., et al. 2020. Geographic variation in body size among French populations of the European pond turtle. Amphibia-Reptilia Mignet, F., Barnagaud, J.-Y.,Barthe, L. et al. Geographic variation in body size among French populations of the European pond turtle. Amphibia-Reptilia (2020) | | Milot E., Béchet A., Maris V. 2020. The dimensions of evolutionary potential in biological conservation. Evolutionary Applications Online:eva.12995 | | Muro J., Varea A., Strauch A., Guelmami A., Fitoka E., Thonfeld F., Diekkrüger B., Waske B. 2020. Multitemporal optical and radar metrics for wetland mapping at national level in Albania. Heliyon 6(8):e04496 | | The Mediterranean: scientific expertise for decision-makers From the 16 to 18 November 2020, a three-day online conference organized by MISTRALS, MedECC and Plan Bleu for all decision-makers of the Mediterranean countries will take place, in which the Tour du Valat will participate. This conference will be an opportunity to review existing scientific knowledge and the issues that the Mediterranean environment has to face in the decades to come. | | | | | Fragility: the theme of the Friends of Tour du Valat’s 2020 photo competition Fifth annual photographic competition from 19 September to 30 November 2020. Participation free of charge ! #fragilitytourduvalat | | | | | Stay tuned, very soon some news for the sponsorship of the Greater Flamingos... | | Tour du Valat - Research institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands Le Sambuc 13200 Arles - Ph. + 33 (0)4 90 97 20 13 - www.tourduvalat.org 
Editorial comittee: Coralie Hermeloup, Jean Jalbert and Muriel Arcaute-Gevrey Contact ::secretariat@tourduvalat.org
Have contributed to this issue : L. Segura, N. Chokier et L. Marre-Cast. Photos credits and illustrations : H. Azafzaf, J. Birard, L. Burkart, D. Cohez, Erimitis.gr, C. Girard, IAGF, J. Jalbert, C. Pappalardo / RNN Marais du Vigueirat, et F. Pavanello. Tour du Valat (bandeau). Translation: Charles La Via. | | Follow the Tour du Valat on our social networks: | | | | | | | | | |
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