Title
World Environment Day - Management and Assessment of
the Ecology of Cyprus’ Artificial Wetlands (MACAW)
Background
This project involved volunteers and academics in the Greek
Cypriot Community (GCC), Turkish Cypriot Community (TCC) and
the UK, who visited artificial wetlands all over Cyprus to collect
information about the plants and animals to be found there. Once
the data had been collected, they embarked on an information
campaign and produced specific policy recommendations for the
management of these areas.
The artificial wetlands of Cyprus have become havens for
biodiversity and need to be recognised and managed as such, but
this requires concrete data on the flora and fauna of these areas.
This project is intended as preparatory action for a much larger,
interdisciplinary project examining the hydro-ecology of the
wetlands of Cyprus.
o A survey of flora and fauna.
o An integrated report/sourcebook, collating current
knowledge on the biodiversity value of artificial wetlands
in Cyprus.
o Recommendations for management of these sites for the
protection of biodiversity based on the baseline surveys
and the sourcebook.
o A summary leaflet, highlighting the importance of
wetlands for biodiversity, formed the core of the public
outreach strategy.
o Creation of a website for partner institutions to promote
the project.
o A media information campaign, including the production
and screening of a film about the wetlands of Cyprus at
the 2006 World Environment Day Eco-forum.
The research team was composed of volunteers and
representatives
from
academic
institutions
from
both
communities, who worked seamlessly together on the project.
Why is this project
important to Cypriots?
Main activities
Contribution to
cooperation and trust
between Greek
Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots
What does this project
aim to achieve?
UNDP’s area of work
Who are the project
partners?
Duration
Budget
Apart from acquiring a wealth of data on flora and fauna in the
wetlands of Cyprus, the team also produced a documentary film,
which was shown at the Eco-forum 2006, a bi-communal event,
which took place on World Environment Day. In addition, the
team produced a set of concrete recommendations for the
management of artificial wetlands in order to preserve their
immense biodiversity.
Environment & Energy: Partnerships for Sustainable
Development
The Institute of Earth, Ocean, Atmospheric and Environmental
Sciences, Frederick Institute of Technology, Birdlife Cyprus, the
SWIMMER Institute of the University of Liverpool, the University
of Lefke.
February 2006 – September 2006
CYP 7,307 (approx. USD 15,000)