‘Lakes, their wetlands and the water catchments from which they are formed shape historical, spiritual and aesthetic landscapes that hold the richest biodiversity on earth and contribute to the physical and cultural well-being of all people and all life. Yet lakes are being degraded and are disappearing at a speed unprecedented in human times. An increased understanding of the functioning of wetland systems leads to the conclusion that it is only our inability to agree procedures for the sustainable management of lake systems that is allowing so many lakes to continue their spiralling degradation. It is the responsibility of all people to work together to resolve their conflicting interests so that living lakes can continue to provide the cultural landscape values and ecosystem services on which the future of human life depends. This situation has become critical, and action must be taken now’. This was the consensus reached by over 100 members and associates of the Living Lakes Network from 30 countries, representing of 55 lakes of the Living Lakes Network, who discussed these issues at the Network’s 12th Annual Meeting entitled ‘Linking Cultural Landscapes to Lake Protection’ held at Lake Trasimeno, Italy, between 22 and 27 September 2008, and hosted by Provincia di Perugia, Regione Umbria, Comunita Montana – Associazone dei Comuni ‘Trasimeno-Medio in Trevere’, Legambiente, Italy and Global Nature Fund (GNF), Germany.

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