Sardinia, once again, thanks to its extensive basins of wetlands of international RAMSAR importance, with one of the largest concentrations in Italy, confirms itself as a natural laboratory of strategic relevance for experimenting with nature-based solutions, with the aim of strengthening territorial resilience, protecting biodiversity and promoting an integrated management model of wetland areas from a climate and sustainable perspective.
On May 13 and 14, 2025, about twenty researchers from the University of Forestry (Bulgaria), University of Valencia (Uveg), Malaga (Uma), the Greek Institute for Wetlands EKBY and from Tour Du Valat, an international reference point for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands, as well as from the MEDSEA Foundation of Cagliari, coordinator of the meeting and project partner, gathered between Cagliari and Terralba to test some nature-based solutions for adaptation to climate change in wetlands. The group also included representatives from the Valencian government, such as Ignacio La Colomba, and Aylin Hasan from the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water, as well as from the Sardinian Regional Department for Environmental Defense.
Wetland4Change, a European Interreg Euro-MED Project, aims to validate and promote transferable solutions based on the conservation and restoration of wetlands (technically "NbS", nature-based solutions). The goal is to promote adaptation and mitigation of extreme events caused by climate change, such as floods, but also as a natural solution to reduce the release of climate-altering gases into the atmosphere, such as CO2, among the main causes of climate change.
In this regard, on Wednesday, some measurements were taken in the San Giovanni pond on the CO₂ storage capacity through a gas analyzer in some areas of the wetland, which is also one of the 5 pilot sites of the project. The surveys have highlighted how even contiguous areas of the pond can vary significantly in terms of CO₂ storage and release capacity, depending on various factors such as depth, water salinity, and the presence of organic material.
"This information, which represents the first combined study of this kind," explains Stanimira Ivanova, project coordinator for Wetland4Change from the University of Forestry, lead partner, "aims to provide a solid scientific basis for understanding the role of wetlands in carbon and flood regulation and to support the identification of priority areas to protect or restore to maximize the sequestration function."
"The collected data will also be useful to refine the assessment models and contribute to the definition of local strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change," says Carlos Rochera from the University of Valencia. "For example, monitoring greenhouse gas fluxes can guide the management of wetlands in line with climate objectives, as well as support management strategies on vegetation and sediments."
"Wetlands represent a fundamental ally in the fight against climate change," concluded Petar Petrov, project manager for Wetland4Change.
The experts from Tour du Valat (TdV) and the University of Malaga (UMA) finally illustrated the technologies and predictive models used to mitigate the impact of floods thanks to intelligent management of wetland areas, invaluable buffer and "sponge" areas, capable of absorbing excess water and releasing it gradually, limiting damage to infrastructure, production, and people.