Three inter-related objectives to monitor and assess wetlands

1.  Provide timely and quality information on Mediterranean wetlands status and trends.
2. Track threats to Mediterranean wetlands and identify actions to promote their protection, wise use and restoration.
3. Assess the role of Mediterranean wetlands in the Mediterranean context of sustainable development.

The first objective encompasses the knowledge of the status and trends of Mediterranean wetlands. This objective provides information on a status that is a consequence of internal and external drivers and pressures on wetlands.
The second objective is to analyse the causes of the changing status and trends of wetlands.
The third objective is to assess how Mediterranean wetlands are considered and treated within the context of sustainable development, at the policy, strategic and scientific levels.  

The Observatory: a tool for managing Mediterranean wetlands

The Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory is a major regional tool for the long-term assessment of the conservation status and trends of these ecosystems. It uses both current knowledge and other data to be found or produced. It targets a wide range of potential users and could help disseminate widely the experience and lessons learned by the different partners. It should also help harmonize the information on wetlands at the Mediterranean scale. Finally, this management tool intends to raise awareness and to help the decision makers, especially at the planning and policy levels.