MECO PROJECT BASES FOR THE INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF MEDITERRANEAN SENSITIVE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM

METHODOLOGY and ONGOING  ACTIVITIES                                                                                       

Guidelines for the elaboration of management plans Guidelines have been proposed by the APAL for a framework to be used for management of sensitive coastal sites.  Objectives  To define the series of actions to take to assure integrated and sustainable management of site. These are:     the characterisation of the natural site that is object of the management plan;   the choice of management scenarios;   the elaboration of the detailed management schema of the scenario chosen;   the elaboration of a monitoring program. Characterisation.   This implies    a collection of information on physical features, land use, site specificity, landscape, bio-diversity, archaeology, sensitivity and threats;  a diagnostic both environmental and ecological, to estimate balance, risks, evolutionary tendencies and potentialities in a context of sustainable development.  Choice of management scenarios   This will be made on the basis of the data collected; at least two scenarios will be compared aiming at protection and/or conservation and at the realisation and enhancement of the value of the site; a socio-economic role will be attributed to the site compatible with its ecological specificity. The scenarios have to be agreed with local authorities.  Elaboration of a management plan  This shall define actions necessary for the conservation of natural, cultural and landscape heritage of the site without constrain its economic and social development. Actions are:     management actions for the realisation and enhancement of the value of the site;   technical, correction and mitigation measures to assure integration of management;   directions for site protection;   interrelationships among institutions, actual and potential actors of management;   definition of indicators of site evolution and their monitoring;   logistics needs to assure management monitoring;   cost estimation;   impact study both environmental and socio-economic.  Elaboration of a monitoring program  A monitoring program should be part of the plan to assure continuity.